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pierdo

pyehr-dohˈpjeɾðo

I lose

Also: I am losing
VerbA1irregular (e > ie stem-changing) er
A small child looking distraught, searching frantically under a couch cushion for a lost toy, showing distress over a misplaced item.
infinitiveperder (to lose)
gerundperdiendo (losing)
past Participleperdido (lost)

📝 In Action

Siempre pierdo un calcetín cuando lavo la ropa.

A1

I always lose a sock when I wash clothes.

Si no estudio, pierdo el examen de mañana.

A2

If I don't study, I lose (fail) tomorrow's exam.

No me gusta jugar al ajedrez porque casi siempre pierdo.

A1

I don't like playing chess because I almost always lose.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • extraviar (to misplace)
  • derrotar (to defeat (passive))

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • perder peso – to lose weight
  • perder la esperanza – to lose hope

Idioms & Expressions

  • perder la cabeza – to lose one's mind/composure

I miss

Also: I fail to catch
VerbA2irregular (e > ie stem-changing) er
A frantic person running and reaching out their hand towards the back of a large yellow bus that is driving away from the bus stop, having just missed it.

📝 In Action

Si salgo tarde de casa, pierdo el autobús.

A2

If I leave home late, I miss the bus.

No quiero quedarme a charlar, o pierdo mi vuelo.

B1

I don't want to stay chatting, or I'll miss my flight.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • perder la oportunidad – to miss the opportunity

I waste

Also: I squander
VerbB1irregular (e > ie stem-changing) er
A person pouring a large bucket of water onto extremely dry, cracked ground, watching the water instantly disappear without effect, symbolizing wasted effort.

📝 In Action

Si no hay un plan, pierdo demasiado tiempo pensando.

B1

If there is no plan, I waste too much time thinking.

No pierdo dinero en cosas que no necesito.

B1

I don't waste money on things I don't need.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • perder el tiempo – to waste time

Indicative

Present

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

Imperfect

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

Preterite

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

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

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

Imperfect Subjunctive

yoperdiera
túperdieras
él/ella/ustedperdiera
nosotrosperdiéramos
vosotrosperdiérais
ellos/ellas/ustedesperdieran
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "pierdo" in Spanish:

i lose→i miss→i squander→i waste→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: pierdo

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence correctly uses 'pierdo' to mean 'I miss' (transportation)?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
recuerdomuerdo
📚 Etymology▼

The verb 'perder' comes from the Latin word *perdere*, which had the same meaning: to destroy, spoil, or lose. The change from 'e' to 'ie' in the Spanish present tense is a natural sound shift that happened as the language evolved.

First recorded: 10th century

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: perderItalian: perdere

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Frequently Asked Questions

If 'pierdo' means 'I lose,' how do I say 'I got lost'?

You use the reflexive form of the verb, 'perderse.' The conjugation would be 'Me pierdo' (I get lost) or 'Me perdí' (I got lost, past tense).

Is 'pierdo' always about physical loss?

No. While it often means losing an object or a game, it is frequently used figuratively, like 'perder la calma' (to lose calm) or 'perder el hilo' (to lose the thread/topic).