quedé
/keh-DEH/
I stayed
When quedé means 'I stayed,' it describes remaining in a location.
quedé(verb)
I stayed
?remaining in a location
,I remained
?not leaving
I was left
?referring to objects or feelings
📝 In Action
Me gustó tanto el hotel que me quedé una noche más.
A2I liked the hotel so much that I stayed one more night.
Después de la fiesta, solo quedé yo para limpiar.
B1After the party, only I remained to clean up.
💡 Grammar Points
Simple Past Action
Since 'quedé' is the preterite (simple past), it describes an action that started and finished completely in the past, like 'I stayed' or 'I remained.'
❌ Common Pitfalls
Quedar vs. Estar
Mistake: "Usar 'estuve' para decir que me quedé en un sitio."
Correction: While 'estuve' (I was) is correct for location, 'quedé' specifically emphasizes the action of *choosing* to stay or *remaining* behind. Use 'quedé' when talking about remaining.
⭐ Usage Tips
Using 'Me' with Quedar
Often 'quedar' is used with 'me' (the reflexive form, 'quedarse') when you talk about your own decision to stay: 'Me quedé' (I stayed myself).
Quedé can mean 'I ended up,' describing the final state or result of an action or process.
quedé(verb)
I ended up
?describing a final state or result
,I was left (feeling)
?describing an emotional reaction
I looked
?describing appearance, often related to clothes
📝 In Action
Después de la noticia, quedé en shock por un momento.
B1After the news, I ended up in shock for a moment.
Me probé el vestido y quedé muy bien, así que lo compré.
B2I tried on the dress and I looked very good, so I bought it.
Solo me quedé con 5 euros después de pagar la cuenta.
B1I was only left with 5 euros after paying the bill.
💡 Grammar Points
Quedar + Adjective
When 'quedar' is followed by an adjective (like 'triste' or 'contento'), it means 'to end up' or 'to be left feeling' that way, describing the result of an event.
⭐ Usage Tips
Describing Appearance
Use 'quedar' to describe how clothes or accessories look on you: 'Esa camisa me quedó perfecta' (That shirt looked perfect on me).
To say 'I agreed' or 'I made a plan' in Spanish, you can use quedé.
quedé(verb)
I agreed
?making a verbal agreement or plan
,I arranged
?setting a time or place
I decided
?settling on a plan
📝 In Action
Quedé con mi jefe que terminaría el reporte el viernes.
B1I agreed with my boss that I would finish the report on Friday.
Quedé en encontrarme con mis amigos en el cine a las ocho.
B2I arranged to meet my friends at the cinema at eight.
💡 Grammar Points
Agreement Prepositions
When talking about agreeing to a plan, 'quedar' often uses the preposition 'en': 'Quedé en ir' (I agreed to go).
⭐ Usage Tips
Formal Agreements
While 'quedar' is good for informal plans, for very formal contracts or decisions, you might use 'acordar' or 'convenir'.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
imperfect
preterite
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: quedé
Question 1 of 2
Which English translation best fits the sentence: 'Quedé con mi hermana de vernos mañana.'
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'quedé' the same as 'me quedé'?
They are very similar, but 'me quedé' (from the reflexive verb 'quedarse') emphasizes your personal decision to stay or remain. 'Quedé' can sometimes be used more generally, especially when talking about results ('quedé sin dinero'), but they often overlap when referring to location.
How do I know if 'quedé' means 'I stayed' or 'I agreed'?
Look at the words that follow it. If you see a location (like 'en casa' or 'aquí'), it means 'I stayed.' If you see 'con' followed by a person and then a plan ('quedé con Juan para estudiar'), it means 'I agreed' or 'I arranged.'