Dejar vs Salir: Two Ways to 'Leave' in Spanish

Both dejar and salir can translate to “leave” in English, which makes them a common source of errors. But they work in completely different ways.

The Short Version

• Salir = to leave a place — you exit, depart, go out
• Dejar = to leave something/someone — you put something down, abandon something, or stop

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Salir: Leaving a Place

Use salir when a person or thing moves out of or away from a location. It’s about departure.

Leaving a location

• Salgo de casa a las ocho. — I leave the house at eight.
• Salieron del restaurante muy tarde. — They left the restaurant very late.
• ¿A qué hora sales del trabajo? — What time do you leave work?
• El tren sale a las tres. — The train leaves at three.

Going out (socializing)

• Salimos todos los viernes. — We go out every Friday.
• ¿Quieres salir esta noche? — Do you want to go out tonight?
• Sale con sus amigos los fines de semana. — She goes out with her friends on weekends.

Dating (salir con)

Salir con someone means to go out with / date someone:

• Lleva un año saliendo con ella. — He’s been dating her for a year.
• ¿Sales con alguien? — Are you seeing anyone?

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Dejar: Leaving Something or Someone

Use dejar when you leave an object, a person, or an activity behind. The focus is on what is left, not where you’re going.

Leaving an object somewhere

• Dejé mis llaves en la mesa. — I left my keys on the table.
• ¿Dónde dejaste el coche? — Where did you leave the car?
• Deja tu abrigo aquí. — Leave your coat here.

Leaving a person behind

• Dejó a los niños con la abuela. — She left the children with grandma.
• No me dejes solo. — Don’t leave me alone.

Quitting or abandoning something

• Dejó el trabajo el mes pasado. — She quit her job last month.
• Dejar de fumar es difícil. — Quitting smoking is hard.
• Dejé los estudios a los dieciséis años. — I left school at sixteen.

Stopping an action (dejar de + infinitive)

• Por favor, deja de hacer ruido. — Please stop making noise.
• Dejó de llover por fin. — It finally stopped raining.

Lending / letting

Dejar also means to let or to lend:

• ¿Me dejas tu bolígrafo? — Can I borrow your pen? (Will you lend it to me?)
• Déjame ver. — Let me see.
• Deja que yo lo haga. — Let me do it.

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Common Mistakes

Wrong: Salí mis llaves en la mesa. Right: Dejé mis llaves en la mesa. — I left my keys on the table.

Wrong: Dejé de la oficina a las seis. Right: Salí de la oficina a las seis. — I left the office at six.

The test: are you describing where you went from (use salir) or what you put down / gave up (use dejar)?

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Quick Reference

Situation	Use
Leaving a place (exit, depart)	salir
Going out socially	salir
Dating someone	salir con
Leaving an object somewhere	dejar
Abandoning a job, school, or habit	dejar
Stopping an activity	dejar de
Lending or permitting	dejar

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