permanece
/per-mah-NEH-seh/
remains
The bird "permanece" (remains) on the branch, not moving from its spot.
permanece(Verb)
remains
?He/she/it stays or continues
,stays
?He/she/it waits in a place
abides
?Formal way of saying 'stays'
📝 In Action
Ella permanece en casa estudiando para el examen.
A2She remains at home studying for the exam.
El museo permanece abierto hasta las seis de la tarde.
B1The museum stays open until six in the evening.
¡Permanece aquí hasta que yo regrese!
A2Stay here until I return!
💡 Grammar Points
Dual Role of 'Permanece'
This single form can mean two things: 'He/She/It stays' (statement of fact) or 'Stay!' (a command directed at 'tú,' an informal friend).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'zc' Change
Mistake: "Saying 'yo permaneco' instead of 'yo permanezco' in the present tense."
Correction: Verbs ending in -ecer often follow a pattern where the 'c' changes to 'zc' before 'o' or 'a' sounds (like in the 'yo' form and all of the special subjunctive forms). This change is only present in certain forms.
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Commands
If you are telling someone formally (usted) to stay, you must use the special form: 'Permanezca' (with the 'zc'), not 'permanece'.
The strong boulder "permanece" (persists) even as the water rushes around it.
permanece(Verb)
persists
?A problem or condition continues to exist
,endures
?Something lasts over time
lingers
?An abstract feeling or quality
📝 In Action
El sabor amargo permanece en mi boca después del café.
B1The bitter taste lingers in my mouth after the coffee.
Su legado permanece vivo en la memoria de la gente.
B2His legacy persists (remains alive) in people's memory.
La duda sobre su inocencia aún permanece.
B2The doubt about his innocence still persists.
💡 Grammar Points
Describing Ongoing States
Use 'permanece' when you want to emphasize that a situation, condition, or feeling is not changing or going away. It is stronger than just saying 'it is'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: permanece
Question 1 of 2
Which of these sentences uses 'permanece' to give an informal command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'permanece' interchangeable with 'queda' or 'está'?
'Permanece' is usually more formal and emphasizes continuity or lack of change. While 'queda' and 'está' can also mean 'to stay' or 'to be,' 'permanece' often suggests a deliberate or long-lasting state, especially in writing.
Why does the verb *permanecer* have a 'zc' change in some forms but not in 'permanece'?
The 'c' only changes to 'zc' when it comes before an 'o' or 'a' vowel (like in 'yo permanezco' or 'que permanezca'). Since 'permanece' comes before an 'e,' the spelling stays simple ('ce'). This pattern is common for many Spanish verbs ending in -ecer.