How to Say "motionless" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “motionless” is “quieto” — use 'quieto' for a general, everyday sense of being still, often implying a temporary state or obedience.
quieto
kye-tohˈkje.to
Examples
El perro se quedó quieto en la esquina esperando su premio.
The dog stayed still in the corner waiting for its treat.
Si te quedas quieto, la ardilla no te verá.
If you stay motionless, the squirrel won't see you.
La foto es borrosa porque no estuviste quieta.
The photo is blurry because you weren't still (feminine form).
Agreement is Key
Since 'quieto' is an adjective, its ending must match the gender and number of the person or thing it describes: quieto (m. sing.), quieta (f. sing.), quietos (m. plural), quietas (f. plural).
Using Ser vs. Estar
Use 'estar' (like in 'estar quieto') to describe a temporary state of not moving. Use 'ser' only if you are describing someone who is naturally a very calm or inactive person, but this is less common.
Forgetting Gender Match
Mistake: “La niña es quieto.”
Correction: La niña es quieta. (The adjective must end in 'a' to match 'niña'.)
inmóvil
Examples
El gato se quedó inmóvil mirando al pájaro.
The cat stayed motionless watching the bird.
estático
Examples
El hombre se quedó estático al ver el accidente.
The man stood still when he saw the accident.
Quieto vs. Inmóvil
Learn Spanish with Inklingo
Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.