Inklingo

pierdes

pee-AIR-des/pjeɾðes/

pierdes means you lose in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

you lose

Also: you are losing, you misplace
VerbA1irregular (e>ie stem-changing) er
A simple cartoon character looking disappointed while sitting next to an empty pedestal where a prize should be, signifying suffering a loss.
infinitiveperder
gerundperdiendo
past Participleperdido

📝 In Action

Si no miras el mapa, pierdes el camino.

A2

If you don't look at the map, you lose the way.

¿Por qué siempre pierdes las llaves?

A1

Why do you always lose your keys?

Si juegas mal, pierdes el partido.

A2

If you play badly, you lose the match.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • extraviar (to misplace)
  • despilfarrar (to waste (money))

Antonyms

  • ganar (to win, to earn)
  • encontrar (to find)

Common Collocations

  • perder el tiempoto waste time
  • perder la cabezato lose one's mind/temper

Idioms & Expressions

  • Perder los papelesTo lose your cool; to fly off the handle

you miss

Also: you waste
VerbB1irregular (e>ie stem-changing) er
A person running with an outstretched hand, looking frustrated as a large, red bus drives away, showing they failed to catch it.
infinitiveperder
gerundperdiendo
past Participleperdido

📝 In Action

Si llegas tarde, pierdes el tren.

B1

If you arrive late, you miss the train.

Si no estudias, pierdes una gran oportunidad.

B1

If you don't study, you miss a great opportunity.

Si no te apuras, pierdes la entrada al concierto.

B2

If you don't hurry up, you miss the concert entry.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • fallar (to fail to catch)
  • desaprovechar (to waste/not take advantage of)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • pierdes la pacienciayou lose patience
  • perder de vistato lose sight of

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedpierde
yopierdo
pierdes
ellos/ellas/ustedespierden
nosotrosperdemos
vosotrosperdéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedperdía
yoperdía
perdías
ellos/ellas/ustedesperdían
nosotrosperdíamos
vosotrosperdíais

preterite

él/ella/ustedperdió
yoperdí
perdiste
ellos/ellas/ustedesperdieron
nosotrosperdimos
vosotrosperdisteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedpierda
yopierda
pierdas
ellos/ellas/ustedespierdan
nosotrosperdamos
vosotrosperdáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedperdiera
yoperdiera
perdieras
ellos/ellas/ustedesperdieran
nosotrosperdiéramos
vosotrosperdierais

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "pierdes" in Spanish:

you loseyou misplaceyou missyou waste

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pierdes

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'pierdes' correctly to mean 'you miss (a chance)'?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
puedesmuerdes
📚 Etymology

The Spanish verb 'perder' comes directly from the Latin verb *perdere*, which meant 'to destroy' or 'to lose/throw away'. This shows that the original sense of losing was often tied to destruction or ruin.

First recorded: Old Spanish (around 10th-12th century)

Cognates (Related words)

French: perdreItalian: perdere

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between 'pierdes' and 'pierda'?

'Pierdes' is the form you use when stating a fact or asking a direct question ('Tú pierdes el juego' - You are losing the game). 'Pierda' is the special form (subjunctive) used when expressing wishes, doubts, or indirect commands, usually after 'que' ('Espero que no pierdas' - I hope that you don't lose).

Is 'pierdes' formal or informal?

'Pierdes' is the informal way to address one person (tú form). If you need to be formal or address someone you don't know well, you should use 'pierde' (the usted form).