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Dejar vs. salir vs. irse

Word practice demo
While the Spanish verbs dejar, salir, and irse can all be translated as to leave, they are not interchangeable. Each word describes a different aspect of leaving: dejar focuses on what is left behind, salir on exiting a specific place, and irse on the general act of departing.

Dejar

A1
Use dejar when you are leaving something or someone behind. The focus is always on the object, person, or situation that you are abandoning, putting down, or no longer continuing with.
Dejé mis llaves en el coche.
(I left my keys in the car.)
Por favor, no me dejes solo.
(Please, don't leave me alone.)
Ella va a dejar su trabajo para viajar por el mundo.
(She is going to leave her job to travel the world.)
Deja un mensaje después del tono.
(Leave a message after the beep.)
El cartero dejó un paquete en la puerta.
(The mailman left a package at the door.)

Salir

A1
Use salir to describe the physical act of leaving or exiting an enclosed or defined space. It emphasizes the movement from inside to outside. It's often translated as to go out or to exit. It is also used for departure schedules.
¿A qué hora sales de casa por la mañana?
(What time do you leave home in the morning?)
El tren para Madrid sale a las cuatro en punto.
(The train to Madrid leaves at four o'clock sharp.)
Salimos del cine y fuimos a cenar.
(We left the cinema and went to have dinner.)
El humo salía por la ventana.
(The smoke was leaving through the window.)
¿Quieres salir a caminar con nosotros?
(Do you want to go out for a walk with us?)

Irse

A1
Use irse to express the general act of leaving or going away from a place. The focus is on the person's departure, often implying a more definitive or complete action than salir. It's a reflexive verb that means to go away.
Bueno, ya es tarde. Me voy.
(Well, it's late now. I'm leaving.)
¿Por qué te fuiste de la fiesta tan temprano?
(Why did you leave the party so early?)
Mis abuelos se fueron a vivir a la costa.
(My grandparents left to live on the coast.)
Nos tenemos que ir o perderemos el autobús.
(We have to leave or we will miss the bus.)
El niño lloró cuando su madre se fue.
(The child cried when his mother left.)

Summary

In short, use dejar when you leave an object or person behind. Use salir when you exit a physical space. Use irse to talk about the general act of a person departing or going away. A simple way to remember is: dejar answers what/who was left?, salir answers from where?, and irse emphasizes the action of going away.