What Does Deixar Mean in Portuguese? Leave, Let, or Allow — Practice

Use deixar for leaving or putting something somewhere

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.

This use often appears in requests about bags, keys, and other belongings.

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.

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.

Remember: Check whether deixar is followed by an object and location, a person and action, or a fixed expression.

Check your understanding

Choose the English meaning of each Portuguese example. Answer before looking back at the tables. These questions check the written examples in this guide; they are not a listening or proficiency test.

Recall the Portuguese, then say it

Read the English prompt and say a Portuguese version before opening the answer. The answer shows the example from the lesson; other natural translations may also work. Compare the meaning and the situation rather than counting a different word as automatically wrong.

1. I’ll leave the key on the table.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Vou deixar a chave na mesa.

2. Can I leave my backpack here?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Posso deixar minha mochila aqui?

3. She left her coat in the car.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Ela deixou o casaco no carro.

4. Could you let me finish the sentence?

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Pode me deixar terminar a frase?

5. The teacher let the students choose the topic.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   A professora deixou os alunos escolherem o tema.

6. Don’t leave the door open.

   Show a Portuguese answer

   Não deixe a porta aberta.

Make the phrase useful to you

Choose one example you could actually use. Say it once from memory, then change one detail that fits your life, such as the person, place, time, or object. Check whether your change also needs a different verb form, article, or adjective ending. If it does, compare it with the pattern in the explanation.

Check whether deixar is followed by an object and location, a person and action, or a fixed expression.

Return to two prompts tomorrow without opening the answers first. If a phrase still feels difficult, shorten it to a useful chunk and build the complete sentence again.

Sources and your next lesson

This I Speak Portuguese practice guide builds on our What Does Deixar Mean in Portuguese? Leave, Let, or Allow lesson on Real Life Portuguese, with written recall tasks and additional speaking practice. The explanations and examples are teaching material; the practice questions are exercises, not a transcript of a recording.

To add Brazilian audio to your routine, choose a lesson in the Real Life Portuguese app. The app offers its own lessons and practice; this page does not imply that every example here has an app recording.