Inklingo

How to Say "stay" in Spanish

English → Spanish

quédate

VerbA1informal
Use this informal command when telling one person (tú) to remain in a specific place.

Examples

Por favor, quédate aquí conmigo.

Please, stay here with me.

estancia

es-TAHN-syah/esˈtanθja/

NounB1
Use this noun to refer to the duration or period of time spent in a particular location.
A cozy, open suitcase on a hotel bed near a window with a view of a new city.

Examples

Disfrutamos mucho nuestra estancia en Madrid.

We really enjoyed our stay in Madrid.

La duración de su estancia será de tres días.

The length of your stay will be three days.

A Feminine Word

Always use 'la' or 'una' with this word because it is feminine: 'la estancia'.

quédense

VerbA2informal
Use this command when telling a group of people (vosotros/ustedes) to remain in a specific place.

Examples

Por favor, quédense aquí hasta que yo regrese.

Please, stay here until I return.

quédese

VerbA1formal
Use this formal command when telling one person (usted) to remain in a specific place.

Examples

Señor López, por favor, quédese aquí hasta que vuelva el doctor.

Mr. Lopez, please, stay here until the doctor returns.

mantente

/mahn-TEHN-teh//manˈtente/

VerbA2informal
Use this command to tell someone (tú) to remain in a certain state or condition, often implying distance or safety.
A small, friendly brown dog sitting perfectly still on a green patch of grass, illustrating the concept of staying put.

Examples

Mantente alejado del fuego, por favor.

Stay away from the fire, please.

Si quieres tener éxito, mantente enfocado en tus metas.

If you want to be successful, keep focused on your goals.

No te rindas, ¡mantente fuerte!

Don't give up, keep strong!

A Command for 'You' (Informal)

This word is the informal command form ('tú' command) of the verb 'mantenerse'. It is used to tell a friend or family member what to do.

Reflexive Pronoun Attachment

When giving an affirmative command (telling someone to do something), the reflexive pronoun 'te' (yourself) is always attached directly to the end of the verb, forming one word.

Stress Shift in Commands

The original verb form is 'mantén,' but when 'te' is added, the stress shifts naturally to the second-to-last syllable (man-TEN-te). This is why no written accent is needed on the final word.

Separating the Pronoun

Mistake: “Te mantén.”

Correction: Mantente. (In affirmative commands, the 'te' must stick to the end of the verb.)

Using the Wrong Command Type

Mistake: “Manténte (when telling an older person).”

Correction: Manténgase. (Use the 'usted' form, 'manténgase,' for formal or polite commands.)

Verb vs. Noun for 'Stay'

The most common confusion is between the noun 'estancia' and the verbs like 'quédate' or 'quédense'. Remember that 'estancia' refers to the duration of a stay (a thing), while the verbs are commands telling someone to remain somewhere.

Related Translations

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