abandonar
verbCEFR B1
What does “abandonar” mean in English?
to drop out of, to give up
to drop out of, to give up (a course, programme, or studies)
Example sentences
Muchos estudiantes de cursos online abandonan el programa en las primeras tres semanas porque las expectativas no coincidían con la realidad del curso.
Many students on online courses drop out of the programme in the first three weeks because their expectations didn't match the reality of the course.
El abandono escolar temprano tiene consecuencias importantes en el mercado laboral, ya que limita las oportunidades de encontrar empleo cualificado.
Early school dropout has important consequences in the labour market, since it limits opportunities to find qualified employment.
Pensó en abandonar la carrera de medicina en segundo año porque las asignaturas eran muy exigentes, pero al final decidió pedir ayuda a un tutor y seguir adelante.
He thought about dropping out of his medicine degree in the second year because the subjects were very demanding, but in the end he decided to ask a tutor for help and carry on.
How to use it
Abandonar in educational contexts means 'to drop out of' or 'to give up' a course, programme, or studies. It is transitive: abandonar el curso, abandonar los estudios, abandonar la carrera. At B1 it is important to distinguish two senses: (1) abandoning a course/programme (educational dropout) and (2) abandoning a place or person (leaving someone/somewhere, more general and often more dramatic). In educational discourse, the noun abandono escolar (school dropout) and abandono universitario (university dropout) are very common in formal and journalistic registers.
Common mistake
Abandonar is stronger than dejar (to stop doing something). 'Dejé el curso' is neutral (I stopped the course); 'abandoné el curso' carries a stronger sense of giving up under pressure. Don't use abandonar when you mean 'to leave a place temporarily' — that is salir or dejar. Abandonar implies finality and often an element of defeat.