There is often confusion about whether to use the verb dejar or dejarse. They have different meanings depending on how they are used.
Dejar: When referring to things
1. dejar (algo a alguien) = to lend
When you lend something to someone:
Bear in mind that in this case you will often find an indirect object pronoun (le, nos) to indicate who the thing is lent to. These are not reflexive pronouns, but rather indirect object pronouns.
2. dejarse (algo en algún lugar) = to leave (something behind)
To express that you forget something / leave something behind, somewhere, by accident.
Here we need the reflexive pronouns: me, te, se, nos, os, se
3. dejar (algo en algún lugar) = to leave [something somewhere on purpose)
To express that you leave something somewhere on purpose, not by accident. Dejar is used here with no reflexive pronoun. In this case it is not accidental. For example:
4. dejar (algo) + adjective/adjectival phrase = to leave something in a certain way
To express leaving something in a certain way/state, we can use dejar as shown in the following examples:
Dejar: When referring to people
1. dejar (a alguien) = to leave/abandon (someone)
The person who is abandoned is indicated with a + person or a direct object pronoun (me, te, lo, la, nos, os, los, las).
2. dejar (a alguien hacer algo) = to let /allow (someone do/to do something)
Notice that this meaning always requires either a direct object or an indirect object pronoun indicating who is "allowed to do" something.
The tendency is to use an indirect object pronoun (me, te, le, nos, os, les) if the second verb is transitive. However if the second verb is intransitive, the pronouns used for the person are the direct object pronouns (me, te, lo, la, nos, os, los, las).
3. dejar [generally in the imperative] + que = let me/us/him/her/them do something
Frequently the verb does not use the pronoun, but they could also be used with no change in meaning:
Deja/déjame que te ayude.
Dejad/dejadme que os explique mis planes.
Dejad/dejadle que se vaya.
4. dejar (a alguien) + adjective/adjectival phrase= to leave someone in a certain way/state
As in previous point 4, to express leaving someone in a certain way/state, we can use dejar as shown in the following examples:
5. dejarse = to let yourself go (to neglect your appearance)
We use dejarse to express that someone has neglected his/her appearance. It often comes accompanied by words like "mucho", "un poco", "completamente".
6. dejarse llevar [por algo/alguien]= to let yourself go
We also use dejarse llevar to express "to let yourself go" in the sense of "relaxing and going with the flow". Have a look at these examples:
Sometimes it means "to get carried away [by something]". For example:
Bear in mind that there might be other uses of dejar that have a different nuance, or are used in set expressions with a particular preposition, for example:
Dejar en paz = to leave alone
Dejar [algo] para ... = to put aside for...
See also Using dejar de + [infinitive] = to stop doing something/to give up something
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Examples and resources
He dejado la bolsa del gimnasio cerca de la puerta para acordarme de llevarla conmigo al trabajo.I left the gym bag near the door so that I'll remember to bring it with me to work.
No dejes los libros en el suelo. Ponlos en la mesa.Don't leave the books on the floor. Put them on the table.
No te dejes llevar por esa gente. No son de fiar.Don't get carried away by those people. They are not trustworthy.
Los ladrones dejaron la casa destrozada.The thieves destroyed the house. [lit: left the house destroyed]
Este asunto ha dejado a Marcos muy preocupado. This issue has worried Marcos a lot. [lit: has left Marcos very worried]
Ayer me dejaron estupenda en la peluquería. Yesterday they made me look great at the hairdresser's. [lit: they left me great]
El fontanero ha dejado la lavadora como nueva después del arreglo.The plumber has left the washing machine as good as new after the repair.
Nuestros abuelos nos dejaron su chalé para pasar las vacaciones.Our grandparents lent us their chalet to spend our holidays.
No lo gastes todo. Deja al menos 10 euros para una emergencia.Don't spend it all. Put aside at least 10 euros for an emergency.
Sara tenía solo 14 años pero sus padres le dejaron hacerse un tatuaje.Sara was only 14 but her parents let her get a tattoo.
Al final, mis padres dejaron a mi hermana ir a la fiesta.In the end, my parents let my sister go to the party.
Nuestras mujeres nos dejaron por otros hombres más jóvenes y guapos.Our wives left us for other younger and more handsome men.
Mira a Carlos. Últimamente se ha dejado un poco. Hace 10 días que no se afeita.Look at Carlos. He has let himself go recently. He hasn't shaved for 10 days.
Después de su cuarto embarazo, Marina se dejó por completo. Ahora está mucho más gorda.After her fourth pregnancy, Marina let herself go completely. Now she is a lot fatter.
