quedarse
Lemma Details
Translation: to stay; to remain; to keep; to become; to be left with
Part of Speech: verb
Etymology: Quedarse is the reflexive form of 'quedar', which comes from Latin 'quietare' meaning 'to rest' or 'to be quiet'. This Latin root is related to the English words 'quiet' and 'quit'. The reflexive form 'quedarse' adds a sense of personal involvement or permanence to the action of staying or remaining.
Commonality: 90%
Guessability: 30%
Register: neutral
Example Usage
Mnemonics
- Think of 'quedarse' as 'keeping yourself' in a place - the 'que' sounds a bit like 'keep'.
- The reflexive 'se' indicates doing something to yourself - you're making yourself stay.
Related Words, Phrases & Idioms
Synonyms
Cultural Context
In Spanish culture, 'quedarse' is frequently used in social contexts to indicate staying at someone's place or remaining at a location. The phrase 'quedarse a cenar' (to stay for dinner) is common in Spanish hospitality.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: 'Quedar' (without the reflexive 'se') often means 'to meet' or 'to arrange to meet', while 'quedarse' means 'to stay' or 'to remain'.
Notes: In some contexts, 'quedar' can also mean 'to remain' or 'to be left' in an impersonal sense, while 'quedarse' emphasizes personal involvement.
Mnemonic: If you add 'se' (self) to 'quedar', you're doing the staying yourself (quedarse); without 'se', you're arranging something (quedar).
Explanation: 'Dejar' means 'to leave' in the sense of abandoning something or leaving something behind, while 'quedarse' means 'to stay' or 'to remain'.
This word:
Me quedo con el libro.
I'm keeping the book.
Confused word:
Dejo el libro en la mesa.
I'm leaving the book on the table.
Notes: Both verbs can be used in expressions about possession, but with opposite meanings.
Mnemonic: Think of 'dejar' as 'detaching' yourself from something, while 'quedarse' is 'keeping' yourself with it.