If you've been learning Spanish for a while, you've probably stumbled across the verb "quedar" and thought, "Wait, doesn't this mean like... five different things?"
You're absolutely right! And honestly? That's what makes learning quedar in Spanish both exciting and slightly maddening at the same time.
Here's the good news: once you understand how to use quedar in Spanish, you'll sound way more natural in everyday conversations. Native speakers use this verb constantly, and mastering it is like unlocking a secret level in your Spanish-speaking journey.
So grab your favorite cafecito (hopefully there's some left; "ojalá que quede café"!), and let's dive into the wonderful, confusing, and incredibly useful world of "quedar."
What Makes Quedar So Special?
Before we get into the nitty-gritty, let's talk about why this verb deserves your attention. Unlike verbs that pretty much stick to one meaning, the quedar meanings Spanish learners encounter span across eight different uses. Yes, eight!
But don't panic. The beauty of "quedar" is that context is your best friend. Once you see it in action, your brain will start picking up on the patterns naturally. Plus, I'm going to break down each use with clear quedar Spanish verb examples so you can start using them right away
Use #1: What's Left? (Remaining or Running Out)
Let's kick things off with the most common way natives use this verb: talking about what remains or what's left over.
Examples:
- Quedan dos horas de clase. (There are two hours of class left.)
- ¿Cuánto dinero queda? (How much money is left?)
And here's the heartbreaking version; when you've run out of something entirely:
- No queda café. (There's no coffee left.)
This is basically the worst news you can receive on a Monday morning. Trust me on this one!
Use #2: Where Is It? (Location)
Plot twist! "Quedar" can also tell you where something is located. This is super handy when you're traveling or giving directions.
The key here is that you'll usually see it followed by the preposition "en."
Examples:
- Mi casa queda en esta calle. (My house is on this street.)
- ¿Dónde queda el hotel? (Where is the hotel?)
- El restaurante queda cerca del parque. (The restaurant is near the park.)
Pro tip: If you're ever lost in a Spanish-speaking country, "¿Dónde queda...?" will be your new best friend. Use it for everything; hotels, bathrooms, restaurants, whatever you need!
Use #3: Making Plans (Meeting Up)
Now we're getting social! This is where quedar conjugation gets interesting because we're talking about making plans and meeting with people.
Here's where it gets tricky: you'll use different prepositions depending on what you're emphasizing.
Quedar en (agreeing on time or place):
- Quedamos en vernos en el café. (We agreed to meet at the café.)
- Quedamos en ir al cine a las 7. (We agreed to go to the movies at 7.)
Quedar con (meeting with someone):
- Quedé con Ana a las 3. (I'm meeting Ana at 3.)
- ¿Quieres quedar conmigo mañana? (Do you want to meet up with me tomorrow?)
See the difference? "Quedar en" focuses on the details of the plan, while "quedar con" focuses on the person you're meeting. Both are essential for your social life in Spanish!
Use #4: Fashion Police (How Clothes Fit)
Here's where things get fun! Spanish speakers use "quedar" to talk about how clothes fit or look on someone.
This is also where we start seeing Spanish reflexive verbs in action. Notice how we add those reflexive pronouns (me, te, le, nos, les)?
Examples:
- Esa blusa te queda muy bien. (That blouse looks really good on you.)
- Esta chaqueta me queda grande. (This jacket is too big for me.)
- Los zapatos le quedan perfectos. (The shoes fit him/her perfectly.)
Telling someone "eso te queda muy bien" is a smooth compliment that works every time. You're welcome!
Use #5: Staying Put (Remaining at a Place)
The quedarse meaning revolves around staying somewhere for a period of time. This is fully reflexive, so you'll always use those pronouns.
Examples:
- Nos quedamos una semana en Madrid. (We stayed for a week in Madrid.)
- Ellos se quedaron en la fiesta hasta muy tarde. (They stayed at the party until very late.)
- ¿Te vas a quedar en casa hoy? (Are you going to stay home today?)
This is a significant difference between quedar and quedarse. Without the reflexive pronoun, you're referring to location or other meanings. With it, you're talking about staying put.
Use #6: Keeper! (Keeping Something)
This use is very straightforward: when you decide to keep something for yourself. (And no, we're not encouraging theft here!)
Examples:
- Yo me quedé con el libro. (I kept the book.)
- ¿Puedo quedarme con tu suéter? (Can I keep your sweater?)
- Yo me quedo con la casa. (I'm keeping the house.) ← Very telenovela, right?
That last example is peak dramatic soap opera material. Use it wisely!
Use #7: Change of State (Ending Up in a Condition)
This is where "quedar" gets psychological and emotional. We're talking about ending up in a new state, condition, or emotion.
Examples:
- Yo quedé sorprendido con la noticia. (I was left surprised by the news.)
- Me quedé dormido viendo la película. (I fell asleep watching the movie.)
- Ella quedó muy triste después de la despedida. (She ended up very sad after the goodbye.)
The key here is the transition; you were one way, then something happened, and now you're in a different state.
Use #8: Impression Management (Quedar Bien vs Quedar Mal)
Last but definitely not least, we have two super common expressions that you'll hear every single day: quedar bien vs quedar mal.
These phrases are about making impressions and how things turn out.
Quedar bien (making a good impression / turning out well):
- Quedé bien con mi jefe en la reunión. (I made a good impression on my boss at the meeting.)
- La cena quedó muy bien. (The dinner turned out great.)
Quedar mal (making a bad impression / turning out poorly):
- No quiero quedar mal con tus padres. (I don't want to make a bad impression on your parents.)
- La comida me quedó mal. (The food turned out badly.)
These expressions are absolutely essential for navigating social situations and talking about how things went down.
Putting It All Together
I know what you're thinking: "That's a LOT of different meanings for one verb!" And you're right. But here's the secret that makes it all manageable: context is everything.
When you encounter "quedar" in real conversations, movies, or books, you won't have to frantically run through all eight uses in your head. The context will make it crystal clear which meaning is being used. After some practice, it'll feel totally natural.
The best way to master these quedar Spanish verb examples is to start using them yourself. Try incorporating one or two uses into your daily Spanish practice. Text a language partner saying "¿Quieres quedar conmigo este fin de semana?" or describe how your new shirt fits with "Esta camisa me queda perfecta."
Now it's your turn! Pick your favorite use of "quedar" from this guide and create your own original sentence. The more you practice, the more natural it'll become.
And remember, learning Spanish isn't about perfection, it's about communication and connection. So don't stress if you mix up "quedar" and "quedarse" at first. Even that mistake will teach you something valuable!
Keep practicing, stay curious, and before you know it, you'll be using "quedar" like a native speaker.
