Using dejar de + [infinitive] = to stop doing something/to give up something

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How to say "to stop doing something" in Spanish

In Spanish we use this verbal structure to express to stop doing [something].

Dejar (conjugated) de Infinitivo

Have a look and listen to the following examples:

Yo dejé de fumar hace tres años.I stopped smoking three years ago.

Hemos dejado de ir a clases de yoga.We stopped going to yoga classes.

¿Cuándo dejaréis de beber tanto?When will you stop drinking so much?

Notice how the preposition "de" always follows "dejar". In Spanish, unlike in English we do not use a gerund (-ing form) but an infinitive after "de".

¡Deja de gritar!
¡Deja de gritando!
Stop shouting!

Bear in mind that "Dejar de +infinitive" is also translated in English as "to give up doing something". This is the most common translation when talking about habits:

He dejado de fumar.
I've given up smoking.

María ha dejado de hacer ejercicio.
María has given up exercising.

 See also Spanish verbs Dejar vs Dejarse (pronominal verbs)

 

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Examples and resources

Yo dejé de fumar hace tres años.I stopped smoking three years ago.
Hemos dejado de ir a clases de yoga.We stopped going to yoga classes.
¿Cuándo dejaréis de beber tanto?When will you stop drinking so much?
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