Spanish Phrase
Deja que otros trabajen.
Meaning
‘Deja que otros trabajen’ is a command that tells someone to allow other people to do the work. It can be used to encourage delegation, to criticize micromanagement, or simply to suggest that the speaker will step back and let the group handle the task.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to suggest delegating tasks in a workplace, classroom, or group project, or when you’re pushing back against someone who tries to do everything themselves. It’s also handy in casual conversation to point out that someone is being overly controlling.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Dejaqueotrostrabajen
Dejar que + subjuntivo
After the verb 'dejar' followed by 'que', the verb in the subordinate clause must be in the subjunctive mood to express permission or suggestion.
Imperative form
‘Deja’ is the affirmative tú‑imperative of ‘dejar’, used to give a direct command.
Pronoun ‘otros’
‘Otros’ works as an indefinite pronoun meaning ‘others’ or ‘the others’, placed before the verb.
Subjunctive conjugation
‘Trabajen’ is the present subjunctive, 3rd person plural of ‘trabajar’, required after ‘dejar que’.
🗨In Conversation
¿Por qué siempre haces todo tú?
Why do you always do everything yourself?
Deja que otros trabajen.
Let others work.
✕Common Mistakes
Dejas que otros trabajen.
The command must be in the tú‑imperative ‘deja’, not the present indicative ‘dejas’.
Deja que otros trabajan.
After ‘dejar que’ the verb must be in the subjunctive, not the indicative.
Deja otros trabajen.
Omitting ‘que’ changes the structure and makes the sentence ungrammatical.
↔Alternatives
Permite que los demás trabajen.
Allow the others to work.
Deja que los otros se ocupen.
Let the others take care of it.
Que los demás trabajen.
Let the others work.
Cultural Tip
In many Spanish‑speaking countries a direct command can sound harsh, so ‘deja que…’ softens the request while still being clear. The subjunctive after ‘dejar que’ is mandatory; using the indicative (e.g., ‘trabajan’) would be considered ungrammatical. Also note that in some regions ‘permite que’ is preferred for a more formal tone, whereas ‘deja que’ feels more colloquial.