What Does Deixar Mean in Portuguese? Leave, Let, or Allow
Understand deixar by looking at what follows: a place, an object, or another person’s action.
Real Life Portuguese · 7 min read · Updated October 14, 2026
The short answer
Deixar can mean to leave or put something in a place. Add the object and location so the sentence tells the listener what you are leaving behind.
Use deixar for leaving or putting something somewhere
This use often appears in requests about bags, keys, and other belongings.
Vou deixar a chave na mesa.
I’ll leave the key on the table.
Posso deixar minha mochila aqui?
Can I leave my backpack here?
Ela deixou o casaco no carro.
She left her coat in the car.
Use deixar alguém fazer something for “let”
Deixar someone do something means to let or allow them to do it. The other verb stays in the infinitive: deixar alguém entrar (let someone come in).
A negative instruction can use não deixe: do not let or do not leave something to happen.
Pode me deixar terminar a frase?
Could you let me finish the sentence?
A professora deixou os alunos escolherem o tema.
The teacher let the students choose the topic.
Não deixe a porta aberta.
Don’t leave the door open.
Learn common phrases with deixar
Deixar para depois means to leave something for later. Deixa comigo means I’ll take care of it in an informal exchange.
The verb can express different meanings, so learn a complete phrase rather than translating deixar the same way every time.
Vamos deixar isso para amanhã.
Let’s leave that for tomorrow.
Pode deixar comigo.
You can leave it to me.
Não quero deixar ninguém esperando.
I don’t want to leave anyone waiting.
Put it into practice
Check whether deixar is followed by an object and location, a person and action, or a fixed expression.
Quick practice
Which Portuguese example matches “Don’t leave the door open”?
Choose an answer to check yourself.
Keep practicing with the Real Life Portuguese app
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