Verb · A2 · Spanish glossary
Perder: to lose, to miss
perder
Pronunciation: pehr-DEHR (stress the capital letters)
Perder means “to lose, to miss” in English.
Quick answer
- Meaning: to lose, to miss
- How to say it: pehr-DEHR
- Present: yo pierdo, tú pierdes
- Level: Elementary (A2)
What “perder” means and how to use it
Perder means “to lose” something or to miss a bus, a flight, or an opportunity.
How to conjugate “perder”
| Who | Spanish | English |
|---|---|---|
| yo | pierdo | I |
| tú | pierdes | you (informal) |
| él, ella, usted | pierde | he, she, you (formal) |
| nosotros | perdemos | we |
| ellos, ustedes | pierden | they, you all |
| Past (preterite) | yo perdí, él perdió | I / he or she |
| Past participle | perdido | used with haber |
Examples with audio
- Perdí mis llaves.I lost my keys.
- No quiero perder el tren.I do not want to miss the train.
- Nuestro equipo perdió ayer.Our team lost yesterday.
Usage tip
Perder also means “to miss” a transport or an event, while echar de menos or extrañar means to miss a person. Perder changes its stem: pierdo, pierdes.
Frequently asked questions
How do you say “to lose, to miss” in Spanish?
“to lose, to miss” in Spanish is “perder.” It is pronounced pehr-DEHR, with the stress on the syllable in capital letters.
How do you pronounce “perder”?
Say pehr-DEHR. The syllable in capital letters gets the stress. Press the speaker button at the top of this page to hear it.
What is the past tense of “perder”?
In the preterite, “yo” is “perdí” and “él” is “perdió.” The past participle is “perdido.”
Practice “perder” for free
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