pierdas
PYEHR-dahs
Quick Reference
📝 In Action
Te lo doy para que no lo pierdas.
A2I'm giving it to you so that you don't lose it.
¡No pierdas esta oportunidad, es única!
B1Don't miss this opportunity, it's unique!
Siento mucho que pierdas la final del torneo.
B1I'm very sorry that you are losing the tournament final.
Te ruego que no pierdas tiempo con eso.
B2I beg you not to waste time on that.
💡 Grammar Points
The Subjunctive Trigger
You use 'pierdas' (a special verb form) when the sentence expresses a wish, doubt, emotion, or necessity from a different person: 'Quiero que pierdas...' (I want that you lose...).
Negative Commands
When you tell someone (tú, informal 'you') not to do something, you must use this form: '¡No pierdas el tren!' (Don't miss the train!).
Stem Change Reminder
The base verb 'perder' changes its vowel from 'e' to 'ie' in almost all present tense forms, including 'pierdas.' Remember: e -> ie.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using the Wrong Form in Commands
Mistake: "No pierdes tiempo."
Correction: No pierdas tiempo. (The negative 'tú' command always uses the special subjunctive form, 'pierdas.')
Mixing up 'Lose' and 'Miss'
Mistake: "Usar 'extrañar' para un bus. (e.g., Extrañé el bus.)"
Correction: Perdí el autobús. ('Perder' means both 'to lose' an object and 'to miss' transportation in Spanish.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Emotional Context
If you are expressing a strong feeling (joy, sadness, fear) about someone's actions, you will almost certainly use 'pierdas': 'Me da miedo que pierdas el dinero.' (It makes me afraid that you lose the money.)
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pierdas
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'pierdas' as a negative command?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'perder' change to 'pierd-' in some forms?
This is a very common pattern in Spanish verbs, called a stem change. The 'e' in the middle of the verb turns into 'ie' whenever that part of the word is stressed when spoken. This happens in forms like 'pierdas,' but not in the 'we' form ('perdemos').
When do I use 'pierdas' instead of 'pierdes'?
You use 'pierdes' when stating a fact ('Tú pierdes siempre' - You always lose). You use 'pierdas' when expressing a wish, doubt, emotion, or giving a negative command ('No quiero que pierdas' - I don't want you to lose).