Understanding the differences between verbs such as quedar vs quedarse is a constant challenge for Spanish students.
Not only is ‘quedar’ versatile for its use in different contexts, but it changes meaning when it becomes reflexive.
This week’s theory podcast is inspired by one of the Real Fast Spanish School Members. The question came after the last theory podcast on the uses of ‘echar‘.
Today we are going to make a few comparisons for quedar vs quedarse. This verb is another verb that has a number of different meanings depending on the context. But we are going to look at a few of the most common contexts. We are also going to explore how the meaning of the verb changes when it becomes reflexive.
Examples from today’s podcast:
To remain / be left with / to meet up – Quedar.
To stay (in one place) – Quedarse.
Is there any rice left? – ¿Queda arroz?
No there is no rice left – No, no queda arroz.
I don’t have any milk left – No me queda leche.
I don’t like how I’m left with this haircut – No me gusta cómo me ha quedado el corte de pelo.
What time are we going to meet? – ¿A que hora vamos a quedar?
Normally I meet with my parents twice a month – Normalmente quedo con mis padres dos veces al mes.
I met up with my best friend this week – He quedado con mi mejor amigo esta semana.
No, I’m staying here – No, me quedo aquí.
How long are you going to stay? – ¿Cuánto tiempo te vas a quedar?
I have to stay here for 3 hours – Tengo que quedarme durante 3 horas.
I was left flipped out (freaked out) – Me he quedado flipado.
My boss started yelling at me and I was left flipped out (or freaked out) – Mi jefe ha empezado a gritarme y me he quedado flipado.
Other episodes mentioned in this podcast:
How else could you explain the differences for quedar vs quedarse in a conversation?
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hi, thanks for your great efforts , i’ve got every thing in my mind now, i only have one problem left.
in the example ‘ No me gusta como me he quedado el corto de pelo”
you mean ‘ No me gusta como LO me he quedado el corto de pelo”
it’s like the haircut is the one which did action? no?
when should I put the ”’me-te- se- nos-os-se”’ in the beginning of the verb or the end of it.
like:
Quítate el sombrero you can not say ”’te quita el sombrero”’ right?
Voy a sentarme. you can say ”’Me voy a sentar”’
a rule please!
Hola Chehboub, “quítate” is a command, where “quíta” is the second person and so is “te”, so they both match the reflexive form “quitarse”. Whereas, “te quita” is a different construction because “quita” is the third person, and “te” is the second person pronoun. Therefore these sentences are not interchangeable.
Your two other sentence examples are perfectly interchangeable (“Voy a sentarme” = “Me voy a sentar”).
Hi Andrew,
How do you translate “ I saw that I had almost no petrol?
Thanks Cynthia
Please try to translate this sentence first yourself, then I will correct you if you need it?
In your example, you show that ‘to be left with’ is not reflexive and uses quedar but some of your examples make it look reflexive unless it also acts like ‘gustar’ verbs (for example a more literal translation of ‘No me queda leche’ might be ‘The milk doesn’t remain for me’?). And ‘Me he quedado flipado’ sure looks reflexive to me?
Hola Roberto, yes, that sounds right! Quedar can act like gustar and is sometimes reflexive.
Is clothing another common use for quedarse?
Los zapatos azules me quedan demasiado apretados
I know this means “The blue shoes are too tight” and perhaps you could literally translate it as “The blue shoes fit me too tight” ? Just wondering how common it is used and if I have the correct interpretation.
Hola TA, yes, your example sentence works. Just be careful with the two different forms of “quedar” and “quedarse”, “me quedan” is the first form (they remain tight to me) not the reflexive form.
Hi Andrew,
“Quedar” and “Quedarse” have always been popping up in my life as a verb with a versatile set of meanings, so I appreciate your tips!
In my recent Spanish conversation class, we discussed La Herencia and if we wanted to “acepta o rechaza cada objeto.”
“Quedarse” was used as the verb “to keep”.(item).
Ejemplo:
-Esta casa me la quedo.
-Este perro no me lo quiero quedar.
Can “quedarse” always be used in this manner (to keep)? Or does it only apply to certain contexts like in my example?
Much appreciated!.
I’m glad you enjoyed the podcast Devin! 🙂 We can use “quedarse” in a few different contexts as you have suggested! It doesn’t only apply to your examples.