dejar de beber
/dexaɾ de bebeɾ/from spelling rules
To stop drinking in Spanish is dejar de beber.
The phrase is used to express the cessation of the habit of consuming alcohol. While dejar de beber is standard, you will frequently hear the alternative dejar de tomar, as the verb tomar is often used instead of beber to mean 'to drink' across many Spanish-speaking regions.
Which one should you use?
While parar de beber is grammatically possible, dejar de beber is the more natural and common way to describe quitting a habit or a lifestyle choice such as alcohol consumption.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you might hear Deja de tomar, amigo (Stop drinking, friend) or the colloquial Ya bájale de parranda (Stop partying so much). In Argentina, a common way to say it is Dejá de tomar, che (Stop drinking, mate).
How does it change in a sentence?
The construction dejar de + infinitive is the standard way in Spanish to express the cessation of an ongoing action.
How do you pronounce it?
/dexaɾ de bebeɾ/
Did you know?
- The word dejar is an unexpected relative of the English words 'lax' and 'laxative'. All three come from the Latin word laxāre, which meant to loosen or let go.
Examples in context
- Necesitas dejar de beber.You need to stop drinking.This sentence is useful for expressing a necessity to stop drinking using dejar de beber.Tatoeba #1490459 by marcelostockle, translation #997097 by CK
- Tienes que dejar de beber.You have to stop drinking.This sentence is useful for expressing an obligation to stop drinking using dejar de beber.Tatoeba #2004282 by Shishir, translation #1079088 by keira_n
- Él le aconsejó dejar de beber.He advised her to stop drinking.This sentence is useful for expressing advice given to someone else to stop drinking using dejar de beber.Tatoeba #1033342 by Shishir, translation #302677 by CK
- Abuelo, por tu salud, debes dejar de beber.Grandfather, for your health, you must stop drinking.
- Amiga, sabes que estoy aquí para ti. Si necesitas ayuda para dejar de beber, puedo acompañarte en el proceso.Friend, you know I'm here for you. If you need help to stop drinking, I can support you throughout the process.
- Juan, hemos notado que tu consumo de alcohol está afectando tu desempeño laboral. Sería bueno que consideres dejar de beber.Juan, we've noticed that your alcohol consumption is affecting your work performance. It would be good if you consider stopping drinking.
- 2 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
At a cafe, discussing health and lifestyle changes.
- MaríaMateo, es hora de dejar de beber.Mateo, it is time to stop drinking.
- MateoLo sé, pero es difícil.I know, but it is difficult.
- MaríaTu salud es lo más importante.Your health is the most important thing.
- MateoTienes razón, María.You are right, María.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries beber, de, dejar, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
