perder
/pehr-DEHR/
to lose
Perder (to lose/misplace) is often used when you can't find an object, like keys or a phone.
perder(Verb)
to lose
?misplacing an object
to misplace
?when you can't find something
📝 In Action
Siempre pierdo mis llaves.
A1I always lose my keys.
¿Perdiste tu teléfono otra vez?
A2Did you lose your phone again?
Ten cuidado, no vayas a perder el pasaporte.
B1Be careful, don't lose the passport.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Boot' Verb Transformation
Notice how the 'e' in 'perder' changes to 'ie' in some forms (like 'pierdo'), but not in others ('perdemos'). This happens for 'yo', 'tú', 'él', and 'ellos' forms, which make a shape like a boot on a chart. It's a common pattern in Spanish!
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'e' to 'ie' change
Mistake: "Yo perdo mis llaves."
Correction: Yo pierdo mis llaves. Remember that in the present tense, for most subjects, the vowel 'e' changes to 'ie'.
Perder means to lose a game, match, or competition.
📝 In Action
Mi equipo favorito perdió el partido.
A2My favorite team lost the game.
No me gusta perder cuando juego al ajedrez.
B1I don't like to lose when I play chess.
Si perdemos este cliente, será un gran problema.
B2If we lose this client, it will be a big problem.
⭐ Usage Tips
The Opposite of 'Ganar'
This is the go-to verb for competitions. If you can win it ('ganar'), you can lose it ('perder'). Think of them as a pair.
You use perder when you miss transportation, like a bus, train, or flight.
📝 In Action
¡Corre! Vamos a perder el autobús.
A2Run! We're going to miss the bus.
Llegué tarde y perdí el principio de la película.
B1I arrived late and missed the beginning of the movie.
Es una gran oportunidad, no la puedes perder.
B1It's a great opportunity, you can't miss it.
❌ Common Pitfalls
The Two Meanings of 'To Miss'
Mistake: "Yo pierdo a mi familia."
Correction: Yo extraño a mi familia / Echo de menos a mi familia. Use 'perder' for things you fail to catch, like a bus or a chance. For the feeling of longing for a person or place, use 'extrañar' or 'echar de menos'.
Perder can mean to waste or squander resources, such as time or money.
📝 In Action
No pierdas tu tiempo con ese videojuego.
B1Don't waste your time with that video game.
Perdió todo su dinero en malas inversiones.
B2He wasted all his money on bad investments.
Estamos perdiendo una cantidad enorme de agua por la fuga.
B2We are wasting a huge amount of water because of the leak.
⭐ Usage Tips
A Common Phrase: 'Perder el tiempo'
The phrase 'perder el tiempo' (to waste time) is extremely common. You'll hear it used just like its English equivalent.
The reflexive form, perderse, means to get lost or lose one's way.
perder(Reflexive Verb)
to get lost
?losing one's way
to get caught up in
?e.g., a conversation, a book
📝 In Action
Creo que nos perdimos. ¿Dónde está el mapa?
B1I think we got lost. Where is the map?
Me perdí en la multitud y no encontraba a mis amigos.
B1I got lost in the crowd and couldn't find my friends.
No te puedes perder el final de esta serie, ¡es increíble!
B2You can't miss the end of this series, it's incredible!
💡 Grammar Points
What does 'perderse' mean?
When you add 'se' to 'perder', the action reflects back on the person doing it. So instead of losing an object, you 'lose yourself'—or in plain English, you 'get lost'. Just add 'me, te, se, nos, os, se' before the verb: 'Me pierdo' (I get lost).
⭐ Usage Tips
Don't Miss Out!
You'll often hear 'No te lo puedes perder' or 'No te pierdas...' which means 'You can't miss it!' or 'Don't miss...'. It's a very common way to recommend a movie, a show, or an event.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: perder
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly says 'I miss my dog'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'perder' and 'extrañar'?
Think of it this way: 'perder' is for things you can fail to catch or keep. You 'pierdes el autobús' (miss the bus) or 'pierdes las llaves' (lose your keys). 'Extrañar' is for the feeling in your heart when you miss a person, a pet, or a place. You 'extrañas a tu familia' (miss your family).
Why do people say 'me pierdo' instead of just 'pierdo'?
When you add 'me' (or 'te', 'se', etc.), it changes the meaning from losing something else to losing yourself. 'Pierdo el mapa' means 'I lose the map.' But 'Me pierdo' means 'I get lost.' The action happens to you.