How to Use “Voy a dejar de” in Spanish for Stopping Habits

Introduction

Learning how to express the idea of stopping or quitting habits in Spanish is an essential skill for any English speaker aiming to achieve intermediate-level proficiency. One of the most common and useful ways to communicate this concept is through the phrase voy a dejar de, which translates to I am going to stop or I am going to quit in English. This grammatical structure combines the near future tense with an infinitive verb, allowing Spanish learners to talk about their intentions to break habits or discontinue actions. Whether you want to say you are going to stop drinking coffee, quit playing video games, or cease a particular behavior, understanding how to properly construct and use voy a dejar de will significantly enhance your conversational abilities and help you express yourself more naturally in Spanish-speaking environments.

Understanding the Basic Structure of Voy a Dejar de

The phrase voy a dejar de is composed of three fundamental components that work together to create a complete expression. Let’s break this down into manageable parts so you can understand how each element contributes to the overall meaning.

The first component is voy, which is the first person singular present tense of the verb ir, meaning to go. However, when used in the construction ir plus a plus an infinitive verb, it forms what is known as the near future tense in Spanish. This tense is used to express actions that will happen in the relatively near future, typically within hours, days, or weeks rather than months or years away.

The second component is the preposition a, which serves as a bridge between the conjugated form of ir and the infinitive verb that follows. This preposition is essential and cannot be omitted; without it, the sentence loses its grammatical correctness and may confuse native speakers.

The third component is dejar de, which is a verbal phrase meaning to stop, to quit, or to cease. The verb dejar in this context always appears in the infinitive form and is followed by the preposition de, which connects it to another infinitive verb that describes the habit or action being discontinued.

The Complete Formula: Voy a Dejar de Plus Infinitive Verb

To fully understand how voy a dejar de functions, you need to recognize that it must always be followed by another verb in the infinitive form. This infinitive verb represents the specific action or habit that you intend to stop doing. The complete formula, therefore, looks like this: voy a dejar de plus an infinitive verb.

For example, if you wanted to say you are going to stop smoking, you would construct the sentence as follows: Voy a dejar de fumar. The infinitive verb fumar indicates the action you are planning to discontinue. Similarly, if you wanted to express that you are going to stop eating sugar, you would say: Voy a dejar de comer azucar. Notice how the structure remains consistent: the auxiliary construction voy a dejar de always precedes the infinitive form of the action verb.

Practical Examples of Voy a Dejar de in Real Sentences

To truly master the use of voy a dejar de, examining numerous real-world examples is invaluable. These examples demonstrate how the phrase functions across different contexts and with various infinitive verbs.

One common example is: Voy a dejar de beber cafe por las tardes. This sentence means I am going to stop drinking coffee in the afternoons. The infinitive verb beber (to drink) specifies what action is being stopped, while the phrase por las tardes provides a temporal context.

Another practical example is: Voy a dejar de ver television cuando me voy a dormir. This translates to I am going to stop watching television when I go to bed. Here, ver is the infinitive verb indicating the action being discontinued, and the additional clause provides timing information.

Consider this example focused on work habits: Mi hermana va a dejar de trabajar los fines de semana. This means My sister is going to stop working on weekends. Notice that in this sentence, the subject is not yo (I) but rather mi hermana (my sister), requiring the conjugation va instead of voy.

Here is an example with a negative context: Voy a dejar de postergar mis tareas. This means I am going to stop procrastinating on my tasks. The verb postergar (to postpone or procrastinate) is the infinitive that follows dejar de.

Conjugating Voy a Dejar de for Different Subjects

While the phrase voy a dejar de specifically refers to the first person singular (I), you will frequently need to use this construction with other subjects. The key is to conjugate the verb ir correctly for each subject pronoun, while keeping the rest of the structure identical.

For the second person singular informal, you would use: Tu vas a dejar de. For example, Tu vas a dejar de llegar tarde a clase means You are going to stop arriving late to class.

For the third person singular, you would use: El/Ella va a dejar de or Usted va a dejar de. An example would be: El va a dejar de comer comida rapida, which means He is going to stop eating fast food.

For the first person plural, you would use: Nosotros vamos a dejar de. For instance, Nosotros vamos a dejar de hacer ruido por la noche means We are going to stop making noise at night.

For the second person plural informal in Spain, you would use: Vosotros vais a dejar de. An example is: Vosotros vais a dejar de jugar videojuegos means You all are going to stop playing video games.

For the third person plural, you would use: Ellos/Ellas van a dejar de or Ustedes van a dejar de. An example is: Ellos van a dejar de fumar significa They are going to stop smoking.

Common Mistakes to Avoid When Using Voy a Dejar de

Even as you become more familiar with voy a dejar de, certain common errors can hinder your progress. Being aware of these mistakes will help you avoid them and speak more accurately.

One frequent error is forgetting the preposition de after dejar. Some learners might say Voy a dejar fumar, which is incorrect. The preposition de is mandatory and must appear between dejar and the infinitive verb. Always remember: Voy a dejar de fumar is the correct form.

Another common mistake is conjugating the infinitive verb that follows dejar de. Remember that this verb must remain in its infinitive form regardless of the subject. You should never say Voy a dejar de fuma or Voy a dejar de fumando. The infinitive form fumar is always required.

Some learners confuse voy a dejar de with simply dejar alone, which means to leave or to let. These are different constructions with different meanings. Voy a dejar de estudiar means I am going to stop studying, whereas Voy a dejar mi libro en la mesa means I am going to leave my book on the table. The inclusion of de is what creates the meaning of stopping a habit.

Cultural and Contextual Usage Notes

Understanding when and how to appropriately use voy a dejar de involves more than just grammar; it also requires awareness of cultural and contextual factors within Spanish-speaking communities.

The phrase voy a dejar de is generally considered a positive and forward-looking expression, often associated with personal improvement and self-discipline. In Spanish-speaking cultures, discussing plans to stop negative habits is common in casual conversation and is generally well-received as a sign of personal growth.

You might hear native speakers use voy a dejar de in casual settings such as with family members, friends, or colleagues when discussing lifestyle changes. For instance, someone might say to their friend: Voy a dejar de quejarme tanto, which means I am going to stop complaining so much. This type of statement is used to express determination and personal commitment.

In formal or professional contexts, the phrase remains grammatically correct and appropriate, though you might see alternative constructions. For example, instead of Voy a dejar de llegar tarde, someone might say Dejare de llegar tarde, using the simple future tense instead of the near future construction.

Alternative Ways to Express Stopping a Habit in Spanish

While voy a dejar de is the most common way to express stopping a habit, Spanish offers several alternative constructions that achieve similar meanings. Knowing these alternatives will make you a more versatile and natural Spanish speaker.

One alternative is the simple future tense construction: Dejare de fumar means I will stop smoking. This form is slightly more formal than voy a dejar de and emphasizes a definite future commitment.

Another option is to use the present tense with a future meaning: Dejo de fumar manana, which means I stop smoking tomorrow. While grammatically present tense, this construction implies future action when accompanied by a future time expression.

You could also use penso dejar de, meaning I am thinking about stopping. This construction is slightly less committal than voy a dejar de and expresses intention with a touch of uncertainty.

Additionally, some Spanish speakers might use tengo que dejar de, which literally means I have to stop. This emphasizes obligation rather than simple intention.

Practice Exercises and Application

To solidify your understanding of voy a dejar de, practicing the construction with different verbs and subjects is essential. Try creating sentences using voy a dejar de with these infinitive verbs: hablar (to speak), escribir (to write), comer (to eat), dormir (to sleep), and leer (to read).

For each verb, create sentences with at least three different subjects. For example, with the verb hablar: Voy a dejar de hablar en las reuniones, El va a dejar de hablar mal de sus amigos, Nosotros vamos a dejar de hablar durante la pelicula.

Additionally, practice responding to questions about your intentions. If someone asks, Vas a seguir comiendo azucar? (Are you going to keep eating sugar?), you could respond with Voy a dejar de comer azucar, or No, voy a dejar de comerla.

Conclusion

Mastering the use of voy a dejar de is an important milestone in your Spanish learning journey. This versatile phrase allows you to express your intentions to stop habits and discontinue actions in a way that sounds natural to native speakers. By understanding its basic structure, learning how to conjugate the auxiliary verb ir for different subjects, and practicing with various infinitive verbs, you will be able to confidently use this construction in everyday conversations. Remember to always include the preposition de and keep the following verb in its infinitive form. As you continue to practice and encounter this phrase in real Spanish-language media and conversations, your ability to use voy a dejar de will become increasingly automatic, allowing you to focus on other aspects of Spanish communication and continue your progress toward fluency.