Inklingo

How to Say "remained" in Spanish

English → Spanish

quedó

verbA1general
Use this when someone or something did not move or stayed in a particular place or state.

Examples

Ella se quedó en la oficina hasta tarde.

She stayed in the office until late.

quedaron

/ke-DAH-ron//keˈð̞a.ɾon/

verbA2general
Use this to talk about what was left over or what remained after an event or action, often referring to quantities.
A small piece of cake and some crumbs remaining on a white plate, indicating leftovers.

Examples

Después de la fiesta, solo quedaron tres botellas de agua.

After the party, only three bottles of water remained (were left).

Los documentos importantes quedaron en el escritorio.

The important documents were left on the desk.

Past Action: Preterite Tense

This form ('quedaron') tells you that the action of 'remaining' or 'being left' happened and finished completely at a specific point in the past.

Focus on the Result

When using 'quedar' in this sense, the focus is on the final outcome or result of a previous action (like selling, eating, or distributing).

faltaba

fahl-TAH-bah/falˈtaβa/

verbB1general
Use this when referring to the amount of time that was left until a specific future event.
A traveler standing very close to the door of a welcoming cottage, illustrating that only a small distance remained until arrival.

Examples

Faltaba solo una hora para que terminara el plazo.

Only one hour remained until the deadline ended.

Cuando llegamos a la cima, nos dimos cuenta de que faltaba poco para el amanecer.

When we reached the summit, we realized that little time was left until dawn.

Measuring Past Time

This usage of 'faltaba' tells you the state of the clock or calendar in the past—how much time was still needed or left before an event.

seguía

verbB1general
Use this to describe someone continuing in a particular state or activity, emphasizing persistence.

Examples

Aunque estaba cansada, ella seguía estudiando hasta tarde.

Even though she was tired, she kept studying late.

quedara

/keh-DAH-rah//keˈðaɾa/

verbA2general
Use this when expressing a past wish or uncertainty about someone staying or remaining in a place or state.
A single red apple resting on a simple wooden table in an otherwise empty, peaceful room.

Examples

Esperábamos que se quedara a cenar, pero tuvo que irse.

We hoped that he would stay for dinner, but he had to leave.

Si no quedara más pastel, ¿qué comeríamos de postre?

If there were no cake left, what would we eat for dessert?

Necesitaba que el coche quedara limpio antes del viaje.

I needed the car to remain clean before the trip.

Subjunctive for Past Wishes

The form 'quedara' is used after verbs of wishing or hoping in the past: 'Deseé que quedara' (I wished that it would remain).

Hypothetical Situations

Use 'quedara' in 'if' clauses (si clauses) to talk about unlikely or contrary-to-fact situations in the past or present: 'Si él quedara...' (If he were to stay...).

Confusing Subjunctive with Indicative

Mistake: “Era necesario que él quedaba en casa.”

Correction: Era necesario que él quedara en casa. (When expressing necessity or obligation, Spanish uses the special verb form, 'quedara', not the simple past 'quedaba'.)

Confusion between 'quedó/quedaron' and 'faltaba'

Learners often confuse 'quedó' or 'quedaron' (what was left) with 'faltaba' (time left). Remember that 'quedó/quedaron' refers to physical things or people that are left behind, while 'faltaba' specifically relates to time remaining until an event.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.