Quedar vs. Quedarse
Quedar and quedarse are among the most flexible verbs in Spanish. The version with se mostly means to stay. The version without it covers meeting, location, clothes fit, and what is left.
Quick answer
- Quedarse = to stay: Me quedo en casa.
- Quedar = to meet or arrange: Quedamos a las ocho.
- Quedar = to be located (Mexico): ¿Dónde queda el banco?
Quedarse: to stay
Quedarse is reflexive, so it needs me, te, se, nos, se. It means to stay in a place or to remain in a state.
Examples
- Me quedo en casa hoy.I am staying home today.Staying in a place.
- Nos quedamos hasta las diez.We stayed until ten.Staying for a time.
- Se quedó dormido en el sofá.He fell asleep on the sofa.Ending up in a state.
- Quédate con el cambio.Keep the change.To keep something.
Quedar: to arrange to meet
To agree on a time or place with someone, use quedar with no se. It is very common among friends.
Examples
- ¿Quedamos a las siete?Shall we meet at seven?Making a plan.
- Quedé con Ana en el café.I arranged to meet Ana at the cafe.Plan with someone.
- Entonces quedamos así.Then it is agreed.Confirming a deal.
Quedar: location, fit, and what is left
In Mexico, quedar is the normal way to say where something is located. It also describes how clothes fit and how much remains.
Examples
- ¿Dónde queda la estación?Where is the station?Location.
- Esa camisa te queda muy bien.That shirt looks great on you.Fit or look.
- Me quedan dos días de vacaciones.I have two vacation days left.What remains.
- ¿Cuánto queda de gasolina?How much gas is left?What remains.
Plans in a conversation
Two friends set a plan.
Examples
- ¿Dónde quedamos mañana?Where shall we meet tomorrow?Arrange.
- En el café que queda cerca del parque.At the cafe near the park.Location.
- Perfecto. Yo me quedo en la oficina hasta las seis.Perfect. I will stay at the office until six.Stay.
- Entonces quedamos a las siete.Then we agree on seven.Confirm.
Spanish around the world
- In Mexico ¿Dónde queda...? is the everyday way to ask where something is. In Spain people say ¿Dónde está...? more often. Both are understood everywhere.
Common mistakes
Incorrect: Yo quedo en casa hoy.
Correct: Yo me quedo en casa hoy.
To stay needs the reflexive pronoun.
Incorrect: ¿Nos quedamos a las siete? (meeting up)
Correct: ¿Quedamos a las siete?
To arrange a meeting there is no se.
Incorrect: Mi casa se queda cerca del parque.
Correct: Mi casa queda cerca del parque.
For location, quedar has no se.
Incorrect: Quedo dos euros.
Correct: Me quedan dos euros.
What remains uses an indirect pronoun, and the verb agrees with the thing.
Remember the two groups
- Quedarse = to stay or keep.
- Quedar = to meet, to be located, to fit, to have left.
- For "what is left", the verb agrees with the thing: Me queda un dólar. Me quedan dos.
Mini practice
5 quick questions. You get feedback right after each answer.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between quedar and quedarse?
Quedarse means to stay. Quedar covers meeting, location, fit, and what is left.
Does quedar mean to stay?
Only with se. Without se, it means other things like to meet or be located.
How do I say "I have two left"?
Me quedan dos. The verb agrees with the thing that remains.
Is quedar for location used in all countries?
It is very common in Mexico and much of Latin America. In Spain, estar is more usual.
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