Inklingo

How to Say "still" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “still” is “todavía” — use this when an action or state is continuing and has not yet finished.

todavía🔊A1

Use this when an action or state is continuing and has not yet finished.

Learn more →
aún🔊A2

This is used similarly to 'todavía' to indicate that an action or state is still ongoing.

Learn more →
quieto🔊A1

Use this to describe a person or animal that is not moving.

Learn more →
parados🔊A2

This describes inanimate objects, like vehicles, that are stopped and not moving.

Learn more →
inmóvilA2

Use this for people or animals that are completely motionless, often due to surprise or fear.

Learn more →
calmado🔊A2

This specifically describes a lack of movement or disturbance in water, like the sea or a lake.

Learn more →
estáticoB1

Describe a situation or person that is not changing or moving, often implying a lack of progress.

Learn more →
embargo🔊A2

This is used in the phrase 'sin embargo' and means 'however' or 'nevertheless', not 'still' in the sense of continuing or not moving.

Learn more →
quedo🔊C1

This describes a profound stillness or quietness, often used poetically for places or atmospheres.

Learn more →
English → Spanish

todavía

toh-dah-BEE-ahtoðaˈβia

adverbA1general
Use this when an action or state is continuing and has not yet finished.
A close-up view of a small puddle on the ground with several raindrops actively splashing into the water, illustrating that the action of rain is continuing.

Examples

¿Están listos? No, todavía no estamos listos.

Are you ready? No, we are not ready yet.

Mi abuela todavía trabaja en su jardín todos los días.

My grandmother still works in her garden every day.

Todavía me duele la rodilla después de la caída.

My knee still hurts after the fall.

Placement

As an adverb, 'todavia' can usually go before the verb or at the beginning/end of the sentence. It's very flexible!

Mixing up 'Todavia' and 'Ya'

Mistake: “Using 'Ya' when you mean 'still' (e.g., 'Ya vivo aquí' instead of 'Todavia vivo aquí').”

Correction: 'Todavia' means the action is ongoing (still). 'Ya' often means the action is completed or changed (already/no longer).

aún

adverbA2general
This is used similarly to 'todavía' to indicate that an action or state is still ongoing.

Examples

Aún estoy esperando el autobús.

I'm still waiting for the bus.

quieto

kye-tohˈkje.to

adjectiveA1general
Use this to describe a person or animal that is not moving.
A small, brown rabbit sitting perfectly still in a field of green grass, looking forward, completely unmoving.

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'.)

parados

pah-RAH-dohspaˈɾaðos

adjectiveA2general
This describes inanimate objects, like vehicles, that are stopped and not moving.
A bright red bicycle leaning against a white fence, completely stationary.

Examples

Los coches están parados en el semáforo.

The cars are stopped at the traffic light.

inmóvil

adjectiveA2general
Use this for people or animals that are completely motionless, often due to surprise or fear.

Examples

El gato se quedó inmóvil mirando al pájaro.

The cat stayed motionless watching the bird.

calmado

kal-MAH-dohkalˈmaðo

adjectiveA2general
This specifically describes a lack of movement or disturbance in water, like the sea or a lake.
A peaceful lake with perfectly still water reflecting a clear blue sky and a single green tree on the shore.

Examples

Hoy el mar está muy calmado.

The sea is very calm today.

Mi hermano es un chico muy calmado.

My brother is a very quiet/calm boy.

Mantente calmado, todo va a salir bien.

Stay calm, everything is going to be fine.

Changing the Ending

Since this word describes something, it needs to match the gender of the noun. Use 'calmado' for masculine things (el niño) and 'calmada' for feminine things (la niña).

Ser vs. Estar

Mistake: “Using 'soy calmado' when you mean you feel calm right now.”

Correction: Use 'estoy calmado' for how you feel in the moment, and 'soy calmado' to describe your permanent personality.

estático

adjectiveB1general
Describe a situation or person that is not changing or moving, often implying a lack of progress.

Examples

El hombre se quedó estático al ver el accidente.

The man stood still when he saw the accident.

embargo

em-BAR-goemˈbaɾ.ɣo

phraseA2formal
This is used in the phrase 'sin embargo' and means 'however' or 'nevertheless', not 'still' in the sense of continuing or not moving.
A friendly character walking happily on a smooth, sunny path, but encountering a large, colorful arrow that points them abruptly onto a second, contrasting path that is rocky and challenging, illustrating the concept of 'however.'

Examples

Estudié mucho; sin embargo, no aprobé el examen.

I studied a lot; however, I didn't pass the exam.

Es un buen plan. Sin embargo, hay algunos riesgos que debemos considerar.

It's a good plan. Nevertheless, there are some risks we must consider.

The 'However' Phrase: sin embargo

Think of 'sin embargo' as a fancy way to say 'but' or 'however'. It connects two ideas, where the second idea contrasts with or is an unexpected result of the first.

Don't Translate Literally

Mistake: “Thinking 'sin embargo' means 'without embargo'.”

Correction: Treat 'sin embargo' as a single, fixed phrase that means 'however'. The two words always go together to create this meaning.

quedo

KAY-dohˈkeðo

adjectiveC1literary
This describes a profound stillness or quietness, often used poetically for places or atmospheres.
A perfectly still pond surface reflecting the surrounding trees and sky without any ripples.

Examples

La casa estaba en un silencio quedo, solo se oía el viento.

The house was in a quiet stillness; only the wind could be heard.

El niño se mantuvo quedo para no despertar a su madre.

The boy kept still so as not to wake his mother.

Todavía vs. Aún vs. Quieto

The most common confusion is between 'todavía'/'aún' and 'quieto'/'inmóvil'. Remember that 'todavía' and 'aún' are adverbs referring to ongoing actions or states, while 'quieto' and 'inmóvil' are adjectives describing a lack of physical movement.

Related Translations

Learn Spanish with Inklingo

Interactive stories, personalized learning, and more.