quedes
/KAY-dehs/
you meet up
When you arrange a social encounter, you might say "quedes," meaning 'you meet up.'
quedes(verb)
you meet up
?Arranging a social encounter
,you arrange to see
?Making plans
don't meet
?Negative command (Imperative)
📝 In Action
Espero que no quedes con él tan tarde.
B1I hope you don't meet up with him so late.
No quedes en la estación; es mejor el café.
A2Don't meet at the station; the café is better.
Necesito que quedes con el jefe mañana.
B1I need you to arrange a meeting with the boss tomorrow.
💡 Grammar Points
The Special 'Tú' Form
"Quedes" is the form you use when talking to a friend (tú) about meeting up, but only when you are expressing a wish, doubt, command, or necessity (called the Subjunctive Mood).
Negative Commands
To tell a friend not to meet up, you use 'No quedes' (the Negative Imperative). This form is the same as the present subjunctive 'tú' form.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Mixing Moods
Mistake: "Quiero que tú quedas conmigo."
Correction: Quiero que tú quedes conmigo. (The verb after 'Quiero que' must change to the special form 'quedes'.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Always Intransitive
When talking about meeting up, quedar doesn't take a direct object. You always follow it with 'con' (with): 'Quedo con Juan' (I meet with Juan).
If someone tells you "quedes," they are telling you 'you stay' or remain in a location.
quedes(verb)
you stay
?To remain in a place (from 'quedarse')
,you are left
?To remain, often when something is missing
don't stay
?Negative command (Imperative)
📝 In Action
Dudo que te quedes en casa este fin de semana.
A2I doubt that you will stay home this weekend.
No te quedes sin postre, es delicioso.
B1Don't be left without dessert; it's delicious. (Literally: Don't stay without dessert.)
Quiero que te quedes con el cambio.
B1I want you to keep the change. (Literally: I want you to stay with the change.)
💡 Grammar Points
The 'Se' makes the difference
When quedar means 'to stay' or 'to keep something,' it becomes the reflexive verb quedarse. 'Quedes' is used here, but the 'te' must be added: 'te quedes' (you stay).
Subjunctive Trigger
Just like the 'meeting' meaning, 'quedes' is used when expressing doubt, emotion, or desire about someone staying: 'Es mejor que te quedes' (It is better that you stay).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Omitting the Pronoun
Mistake: "No quedes en la habitación."
Correction: No te quedes en la habitación. (When meaning 'to stay,' the reflexive pronoun 'te' is essential.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Keeping vs. Staying
To tell someone to keep something, use the pattern 'quedarse con algo': 'Quiero que te quedes con este libro' (I want you to keep this book).
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: quedes
Question 1 of 2
Which sentence correctly uses 'quedes' to mean 'you stay'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does 'quedes' look like the Present Subjunctive?
'Quedes' is indeed the Present Subjunctive form for the 'tú' (you informal) pronoun. It is used after expressions of desire, doubt, or necessity (like 'Espero que...' or 'Necesito que...').
Is there a difference between 'quedar' and 'quedarse'?
Yes. 'Quedar' usually means 'to meet up,' 'to be located,' or 'to fit.' 'Quedarse' (with the 'se') means 'to stay in a place,' 'to remain,' or 'to keep something.' If you are using 'quedes' to mean 'you stay,' you must use 'te quedes'.