durar
“durar” means “to last (time)” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
to last (time), to take (time)
Also: to go on
📝 In Action
¿Cuánto dura la película?
A1How long does the movie last?
La reunión duró casi tres horas.
A2The meeting lasted almost three hours.
Esperamos que el buen tiempo dure hasta el fin de semana.
B1We hope the good weather lasts until the weekend.
to hold up, to endure
Also: to survive
📝 In Action
Este tipo de batería dura más que el modelo anterior.
B1This type of battery lasts longer than the previous model.
Queremos comprar muebles que duren.
B1We want to buy furniture that holds up (lasts).
No creo que mi viejo coche dure otro invierno.
B2I don't think my old car will survive another winter.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
🔀 Commonly Confused With
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✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: durar
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'durar' to describe the resilience of an object?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
Comes from the Latin verb *dūrare*, which originally meant 'to harden' or 'to make lasting,' and later evolved to mean 'to continue' or 'to persist.'
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'durar' and 'tardar'?
'Durar' focuses on the total time span of an event ('The class lasted one hour'). 'Tardar' focuses on the time taken to complete an action, often implying a delay or slowness ('I took an hour to finish the homework').
Can I use 'durar' to talk about how long a person lives?
While technically possible, it is much more common and natural to use the verb 'vivir' (to live) when talking about a person's lifespan. 'Durar' is usually reserved for things and events.

