pierde
/pee-AIR-deh/
loses
When someone "pierde" something, they lose it, like this bear cub losing its balloon.
pierde(verb)
loses
?he/she/it loses (present tense)
,is losing
?present continuous sense
lose
?informal command (tú form)
📝 In Action
Mi perro siempre se escapa y **pierde** su collar.
A2My dog always escapes and loses his collar.
Si no practica, el equipo **pierde** todos los partidos.
A2If he doesn't practice, the team loses every game.
¡Si sabes la respuesta, no **pierde** tiempo!
B1If you know the answer, don't lose time! (Informal command)
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Shoe Verb' Change
The verb 'perder' is irregular because the 'e' changes to 'ie' in most forms, except for the 'nosotros' and 'vosotros' forms. This is called a stem change.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "Él perde su teléfono."
Correction: Él pierde su teléfono. Remember that 'e' turns into 'ie' when stressed.
⭐ Usage Tips
Losing Weight
Use 'pierde peso' or 'pierde kilos' when talking about losing weight, not 'perder gordura'.
"Pierde" can mean "misses," often referring to missing transport, like missing the bus.
pierde(verb)
misses
?misses a bus, flight, or opportunity
,wastes
?wastes time or effort
forfeits
?loses a right or claim
📝 In Action
Si no se apura, **pierde** el vuelo a Madrid.
B1If he doesn't hurry up, he misses the flight to Madrid.
Cuando ella está en redes sociales, **pierde** mucho tiempo.
B1When she is on social media, she wastes a lot of time.
El presidente **pierde** la oportunidad de hablar con la prensa.
B2The president misses the opportunity to speak with the press.
💡 Grammar Points
Missing vs. Losing
In Spanish, the same word, 'perder,' is used for 'losing' an object and 'missing' a bus or flight. Context tells you which meaning applies.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'echar de menos'
Mistake: "Él pierde a su familia. (Meaning: He misses his family.)"
Correction: Él echa de menos a su familia. Use 'echar de menos' or 'extrañar' when you mean 'to feel the absence of a person'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Se pierde'
If you add 'se' (se pierde), it often means 'to get lost' (The dog gets lost = El perro se pierde).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pierde
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'pierde' to mean 'misses an opportunity'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'pierde' have an 'ie' sound if the infinitive is 'perder'?
'Perder' is an irregular 'stem-changing' verb. When the vowel 'e' is stressed (like in 'pierde'), it changes to 'ie' to make the word flow better. This happens in most forms except 'nosotros' and 'vosotros'.
Can I use 'pierde' for 'waste time'?
Yes, absolutely! 'Pierde tiempo' is the standard way to say 'wastes time' when referring to a third person (he/she/it) or formal 'you' (usted).