Spanish vocabulary · Beginner
Leave in Spanish: Salir, Irse, and Dejar
Salir · verb · sah-LEER
'Leave' in Spanish requires choosing the right verb. Salir (sah-LEER) means to go out or exit. Irse means to go away or depart. Dejar means to leave something behind or to let/allow. Each verb captures a different aspect of leaving.
Salir is sah-LEER, two syllables. Irse is EER-seh. Dejar is deh-HAHR.
Tengo que salir temprano mañana para el aeropuerto.
I have to leave early tomorrow for the airport.
Leave in Spanish: Quick Reference
Below are the most common Spanish words for leave, with pronunciation and regional usage notes.
| Spanish | English | Pronunciation | Region / Register |
|---|---|---|---|
| salir | leave | sah-LEER | Default, widely understood |
| irse | leave | to leave, to go away | |
| dejar | leave | to leave something behind | |
| partir | leave | to depart (formal) |
How Native Speakers Use Salir
Real example sentences across three contexts you'll actually run into.
Exiting a place
Salí de la oficina a las seis.
I left the office at six.
Salir is to exit or go out from a place.
Going away
Ya me voy, se me hace tarde.
I'm leaving now, I'm running late.
Irse is the reflexive verb for departing.
Leaving something behind
Dejé las llaves en la mesa de la cocina.
I left the keys on the kitchen table.
Dejar is to leave an object or person behind.
Avoid These Mistakes When Using Salir
Using salir when leaving something behind
Incorrect: Salí mi teléfono en casa.
Correct: Dejé mi teléfono en casa.
Salir means to go out/exit; it doesn't take a direct object like a phone. Dejar is for leaving objects behind.
Confusing irse with salir
Incorrect: Me salí de la fiesta. (acceptable in some dialects but)
Correct: Me fui de la fiesta. is more standard.
While salirse exists, irse is the cleaner choice for expressing that you left/departed from somewhere.
Lock in Leave Vocabulary with the Parrot Method
Why word lists alone don't stick
Memorizing a translation feels productive, but most learners forget 70% of what they studied within 48 hours. Vocabulary needs spaced repetition AND real-world exposure to transfer to long-term memory.
See Salir used by native speakers
Parrot's short-form videos feature native speakers using salir in real situations. Context-based exposure beats flashcards, you hear Tengo que salir temprano mañana para el aeropuerto. while watching someone live the moment, connecting meaning, sound, and rhythm at once.
Save, review, repeat, stay consistent
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Common Questions About Leave in Spanish
- How do you say leave in Spanish?
- It depends: salir (to go out/exit), irse (to go away/depart), or dejar (to leave something behind). Each covers a different meaning of 'leave.'
- How do I say 'leave me alone'?
- Déjame en paz (leave me in peace) or simply déjame (leave me). These use dejar in the imperative.
- What is the difference between salir and irse?
- Salir focuses on exiting a space: salir de casa. Irse focuses on departing: ya me voy (I'm off now). Salir often implies going out; irse implies going away.