quédense
“quédense” means “Stay” in Spanish (as a command to a group (you all/ustedes)).
Stay, RemainAlso: Keep (it)
📝 In Action
Por favor, quédense aquí hasta que yo regrese.
A2Please, stay here until I return.
No se vayan todavía, quédense un rato más.
B1Don't leave yet, stay a little longer.
Si les gusta el libro, quédense con él.
B2If you like the book, keep it (remain with it).
Word Connections
Indicative
Present
Imperfect
Preterite
Subjunctive
Present Subjunctive
Imperfect Subjunctive
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: quédense
Question 1 of 1
If you are talking to your two friends, María and Luis, and you want them to remain seated, which command would you use?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family
📚 Etymology
The base verb, 'quedar,' comes from the Vulgar Latin verb *quietare*, meaning 'to calm,' 'to rest,' or 'to cease movement.' When used reflexively ('quedarse'), it means to settle oneself or remain in a place.
First recorded: 13th century (base verb)
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'quédense' have an accent mark?
The accent mark is necessary because the original stress of the verb form 'queden' is on the first syllable ('QUE-den'). When you attach the pronoun 'se,' the word becomes longer, and the accent is needed to force the stress to remain on the original syllable, preventing the word from being pronounced 'que-DEN-se'.
Can I use 'quédense' when talking to one person?
No. 'Quédense' is strictly a command for multiple people ('ustedes'). If you are talking to one person, you must use 'quédese' (formal) or 'quédate' (informal).