Inklingo
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durar

/doo-RAHR/

to last (time)

A long, winding dirt path stretching far into the distance, suggesting a long journey or duration under a bright blue sky.

When referring to the length of an event or process, 'durar' means to last (time).

durar(verb)

A1regular ar

to last (time)

?

referring to the length of an event or process

,

to take (time)

?

when quantifying the duration

Also:

to go on

?

to continue happening

📝 In Action

¿Cuánto dura la película?

A1

How long does the movie last?

La reunión duró casi tres horas.

A2

The meeting lasted almost three hours.

Esperamos que el buen tiempo dure hasta el fin de semana.

B1

We hope the good weather lasts until the weekend.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • tardar (to take time (often implying delay))
  • extenderse (to extend)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • durar mucho tiempo – to last a long time
  • durar poco – to last a short time

💡 Grammar Points

Asking about Duration

To ask 'How long does it last?', use '¿Cuánto dura?' or '¿Por cuánto tiempo dura?'

❌ Common Pitfalls

Durar vs. Durante

Mistake: "Using 'durante' (a preposition meaning 'during') instead of the verb 'durar'."

Correction: 'La película duró dos horas' (The movie lasted two hours), not 'La película durante dos horas'.

⭐ Usage Tips

Focus on the Event

'Durar' is usually used with impersonal subjects (the event, the object, the weather) that are continuing in time.

A durable, sturdy brown leather boot that looks old but is still completely intact and in excellent, usable condition.

This meaning of 'durar' refers to objects that 'hold up' or remain durable and in good condition.

durar(verb)

B1regular ar

to hold up

?

to remain durable or in good condition

,

to endure

?

to withstand wear and tear

Also:

to survive

?

in a context of difficult conditions

📝 In Action

Este tipo de batería dura más que el modelo anterior.

B1

This type of battery lasts longer than the previous model.

Queremos comprar muebles que duren.

B1

We want to buy furniture that holds up (lasts).

No creo que mi viejo coche dure otro invierno.

B2

I don't think my old car will survive another winter.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

  • fallar (to fail)
  • romperse (to break)

Common Collocations

  • material duradero – durable material

💡 Grammar Points

Use with Negatives

When you say something won't last or don't think it will last, Spanish often uses the special form (subjunctive) in the second part of the sentence: 'No creo que dure' (I don't believe it will last).

⭐ Usage Tips

Implied Quality

When used in this sense, 'durar' implies good quality or resilience. If something 'dura mucho', it's well-made.

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/usteddura
yoduro
túduras
ellos/ellas/ustedesduran
nosotrosduramos
vosotrosduráis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedduraba
yoduraba
túdurabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesduraban
nosotrosdurábamos
vosotrosdurabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedduró
yoduré
túduraste
ellos/ellas/ustedesduraron
nosotrosduramos
vosotrosdurasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/usteddure
yodure
túdures
ellos/ellas/ustedesduren
nosotrosduremos
vosotrosduréis

imperfect

él/ella/usteddurara
yodurara
túduras
ellos/ellas/ustedesduraran
nosotrosduráramos
vosotrosdurarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ 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

duración(duration, length (noun)) - noun
duradero(durable, long-lasting (adjective)) - adjective
durante(during (preposition)) - preposition

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.