How to Say "to linger" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “to linger” is “quedarme” — use this when you are staying in a place longer than expected or simply choosing to stay somewhere.
quedarme
keh-DAR-mehkeˈðaɾme
Examples
Prefiero quedar en casa en vez de salir hoy.
I prefer to stay at home instead of going out today.
Necesito tiempo para pensar si quiero quedarme aquí o irme.
I need time to think about whether I want to remain here or leave.
¿Puedo quedarme a dormir en tu sofá esta noche?
Can I stay and sleep on your couch tonight?
The attached 'me'
The ending '-me' means 'myself' or 'for me'. When attached to the end of a verb like 'quedarme', it means the action of staying is directed back toward the speaker ('I').
Placement Rule
In compound verb phrases (like 'voy a + infinitive' or 'quiero + infinitive'), you can either attach the 'me' to the end (quiero quedarme) or put it before the conjugated verb (me quiero quedar). Both are correct!
Forgetting the 'me'
Mistake: “Cuando voy a visitar, yo quiero quedar en la casa.”
Correction: Cuando voy a visitar, yo quiero quedarme en la casa. (If you forget the 'me,' the verb 'quedar' means 'to meet' or 'to be left over,' not 'to stay.')
demorar
deh-moh-rahrde.moˈɾaɾ
Examples
Me demoré una hora en llegar.
It took me an hour to get here.
No te demores mucho en la tienda.
Don't take too long at the store.
El médico se demoró con el paciente anterior.
The doctor was held up with the previous patient.
The 'se' makes it about duration
Using the reflexive form (adding me, te, se, nos, os) emphasizes that the person or thing itself is taking time, rather than something external causing a delay.
Forgetting the 'se'
Mistake: “Yo demoro mucho en cocinar.”
Correction: Me demoro mucho en cocinar. (In many regions, it sounds more natural to include the 'me' when talking about how long an activity takes you.)
detenerte
deh-teh-NEHR-tehdeteˈnerte
Examples
No vale la pena detenerte en esos pequeños errores.
It's not worth lingering/dwelling on those small mistakes.
Al leer el contrato, debes detenerte en cada cláusula.
When reading the contract, you should pause at every clause.
Using 'en' with this meaning
When you want to say 'to dwell ON' or 'to linger ON', use the word 'en' after 'detenerte'.
persistir
per-sees-TEERpeɾsisˈtiɾ
Examples
Si el dolor persiste después de dos días, llame al doctor.
If the pain persists after two days, call the doctor.
Ella persistió en su esfuerzo por aprender piano.
She persisted in her effort to learn the piano.
A pesar de las críticas, el director persiste en su visión original.
Despite the criticism, the director persists in his original vision.
Using 'En' with Persistir
When you want to say you are persisting 'in' an action or idea, always use the word 'en' followed by a noun or a verb ending in -ar, -er, or -ir.
No Direct Object Needed
This word usually describes a state or a way of being; you don't 'persist something,' you just 'persist' or 'persist in something.'
Using 'de' instead of 'en'
Mistake: “Él persiste de su opinión.”
Correction: Él persiste en su opinión. (In Spanish, we persist 'in' things, not 'of' things.)
rondar
ron-DARronˈdaɾ
Examples
Una idea me ronda la cabeza desde hace días.
An idea has been hovering in my mind for days.
El fantasma de la duda le rondaba la mente.
The ghost of doubt was haunting his mind.
Esa canción me ronda por la cabeza.
That song is stuck in my head (lingering in my mind).
Body Parts
When an idea haunts your head, we use 'la cabeza' with the article 'la', not 'mi cabeza'. The context makes it clear whose head it is.
Delaying vs. Persisting
Related Translations
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