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quedarme

keh-DAR-mehkeˈðaɾme

to stay, to remain

Also: to linger
VerbA1regular ar
A cheerful person sitting relaxed in an armchair inside a room next to a window, illustrating the act of staying.
infinitivequedarse
gerundquedándome
past Participlequedado

📝 In Action

Prefiero quedar en casa en vez de salir hoy.

A1

I prefer to stay at home instead of going out today.

Necesito tiempo para pensar si quiero quedarme aquí o irme.

A2

I need time to think about whether I want to remain here or leave.

¿Puedo quedarme a dormir en tu sofá esta noche?

A1

Can I stay and sleep on your couch tonight?

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • permanecer (to stay (formal))
  • alojarme (to lodge/find shelter)

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • quedarme hasta tarde – to stay up late
  • quedarme en silencio – to remain silent

to keep, to hold onto

Also: to choose
VerbA2regular ar
A hand firmly holding a small, shiny, colorful seashell found on the ground, symbolizing keeping possession of an item.
infinitivequedarse con
gerundquedándome con
past Participlequedado con

📝 In Action

Después de ver las opciones, voy a quedarme con la camisa azul.

A2

After seeing the options, I am going to keep the blue shirt.

Si encuentro dinero, no puedo quedármelo, tengo que devolverlo.

B1

If I find money, I cannot keep it, I have to return it.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

to end up, to become

Also: to turn out
VerbB1regular ar
A perfectly formed, smooth, and brightly painted ceramic vase sitting on a workbench, symbolizing the result or 'ending up' in a specific state.
infinitivequedarse
gerundquedándome
past Participlequedado

📝 In Action

Si no tengo cuidado con la nieve, puedo quedarme resfriado.

B1

If I'm not careful with the snow, I can end up catching a cold (being cold).

Después de ver la película de terror, voy a quedarme asustado por días.

B2

After watching the horror movie, I am going to remain scared for days.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • volverse (to become (emotional/mental change))
  • llegar a ser (to become (gradual change))

Common Collocations

  • quedarme sin batería – to run out of battery
  • quedarme en shock – to be left in shock

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedse queda
yome quedo
túte quedas
ellos/ellas/ustedesse quedan
nosotrosnos quedamos
vosotrosos quedáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedse quedaba
yome quedaba
túte quedabas
ellos/ellas/ustedesse quedaban
nosotrosnos quedábamos
vosotrosos quedabais

preterite

él/ella/ustedse quedó
yome quedé
túte quedaste
ellos/ellas/ustedesse quedaron
nosotrosnos quedamos
vosotrosos quedasteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedse quede
yome quede
túte quedes
ellos/ellas/ustedesse queden
nosotrosnos quedemos
vosotrosos quedéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedse quedara
yome quedara
túte quedaras
ellos/ellas/ustedesse quedaran
nosotrosnos quedáramos
vosotrosos quedarais
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "quedarme" in Spanish:

to become→to choose→to linger→to remain→to stay→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: quedarme

Question 1 of 2

Which sentence uses 'quedarme' to express keeping possession of an object?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
quedar(to meet, to suit, to be left) — Verb
quedada(a get-together, meet-up) — Noun
🎵 Rhymes▼
llamarmeamarme
📚 Etymology▼

The verb 'quedar' comes from the Latin word *quietare*, meaning 'to quiet' or 'to settle down.' Over time, this concept of 'settling down' evolved into 'staying in a place' or 'remaining.' The '-me' is simply the personal pronoun 'I/myself' attached.

First recorded: 13th century (base verb)

Cognates (Related words)

Portuguese: ficar

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Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it sometimes 'quedarme' and sometimes 'me quedo'?

Both mean 'I stay.' 'Quedarme' is the infinitive (the base form, like 'to stay') and is used after other conjugated verbs (e.g., 'Necesito quedarme'). 'Me quedo' is the fully conjugated form used as the main verb (e.g., 'Yo me quedo aquí').

Is 'quedarme' the same as 'quedar'?

No. 'Quedar' means 'to meet up,' 'to suit,' or 'to be left over' (impersonal). 'Quedarme' (from *quedarse*) means 'I stay' or 'I keep.' Adding the '-me' changes the meaning completely, focusing the action back on the speaker.