Questions & Answers about Deixa estar, eu pago.
The phrase deixa estar literally translates to 'leave to be.' How does that mean 'never mind'?
It is an idiomatic expression that works very similarly to the English phrase 'let it be' or 'leave it.' Portuguese speakers use deixa estar to say 'don't worry about it,' 'forget it,' or 'never mind.'
Who is being addressed here? Is deixa formal or informal?
Deixa is the informal tu command (imperative form) for the verb deixar (to let or to leave). If you were speaking formally to someone using você, you would change the command and say deixe estar.
The English translation says 'I'll pay,' which is future tense. Why does the Portuguese use the present tense eu pago?
In everyday Portuguese, the present tense is very often used to talk about actions happening in the immediate future, especially for spontaneous decisions. Saying eu pagarei or eu vou pagar would sound overly formal or unnecessary for a quick action happening right now.
Could I say deixa lá instead of deixa estar?
Yes! Deixa lá is another very common way to say 'never mind' or 'forget about it.' The meaning is practically identical in this context, though deixa estar sometimes implies leaving a physical situation exactly as it is, while deixa lá is slightly more focused on dismissing a thought or conversational topic. Both work perfectly here.
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