pierden
/pee-EHR-dehn/
they lose
When the competitors finish second place, they lose the competition.
pierden(verb)
they lose
?competition or contest
,you all lose
?formal plural address (ustedes)
they fail
?to achieve a goal
📝 In Action
Si no entrenan, siempre pierden los partidos.
A1If they don't train, they always lose the games.
Ustedes pierden la calma muy fácilmente.
B1You all lose your temper very easily.
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Boot' Verb Rule
The verb 'perder' is stem-changing: the 'e' changes to 'ie' in most forms of the present tense (like 'pierden'), but NOT in the 'nosotros' or 'vosotros' forms ('perdemos', 'perdéis'). Think of it as the change only happening inside the 'boot' shape of the conjugation chart.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the Stem Change
Mistake: "Ellos 'perden' el partido."
Correction: Ellos 'pierden' el partido. Remember to change the 'e' to 'ie' for 'ellos/ellas/ustedes'.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'pierden' for the formal 'You all'
If you are addressing a group formally in Latin America or Spain (using 'ustedes'), you use 'pierden'. Example: 'Señores, ustedes pierden una gran oportunidad' (Gentlemen, you all are losing a great opportunity).
If they cannot find their belongings, it means they misplace them.
pierden(verb)
they misplace
?an object
,they waste
?time or resources
they miss
?a bus or plane
📝 In Action
Mis hijos siempre pierden sus juguetes nuevos.
A2My children always lose their new toys.
Si no se apuran, pierden el avión.
B1If they don't hurry up, they will miss the plane. (Used in the present tense to indicate future certainty)
Ellos pierden mucho dinero en apuestas.
A2They lose a lot of money on bets.
💡 Grammar Points
Losing Things vs. Losing Yourself
When someone loses an object, use 'pierden' directly (Ellos pierden las llaves). If they lose themselves (get lost), Spanish uses the reflexive form: 'Se pierden' (They get lost).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Perder' for 'To Miss' People
Mistake: "Ellos pierden a su abuela. (Meaning: They miss their grandmother.)"
Correction: Ellos extrañan a su abuela. Use 'extrañar' or 'echar de menos' when you feel the absence of a person; use 'perder' only for missing transportation or opportunities.
⭐ Usage Tips
Asking for Directions
If you are lost, you can ask a group: '¿Ustedes se pierden a menudo por aquí?' (Do you all get lost often around here?)
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: pierden
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence uses 'pierden' correctly in the sense of 'wasting time'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'pierden' have an 'ie' but 'perdemos' has an 'e'?
'Perder' is a stem-changing verb, sometimes called a 'boot verb'. The 'e' changes to 'ie' in most present tense forms ('yo', 'tú', 'él/ella/usted', 'ellos/ellas/ustedes') but stays 'e' for 'nosotros' and 'vosotros', which fall outside the 'boot' shape on the conjugation chart.
Can 'pierden' be used to talk about getting lost?
Yes, but it must be used with the reflexive pronoun 'se'. If a group is lost, you say 'Ellos se pierden' (They get lost). If they just lose a map, you say 'Ellos pierden el mapa' (They lose the map).