quedar
to remain, to be left
A versatile verb built around the idea of "coming to rest"
Encoding Strategies:
linguistic
repetition
quiet
still and calm
(no noise)
+
-ar
verb suffix
Quedar means to remain or to be left and is related to the English word quiet0, like something that has gone quiet and settled into place - staying where it is.
quedar
to remain, to be left, to have left (what is left over)
When everything else moves on or gets used up, whatever stays put is what remains or is left over.
- Solo quedan las ruinas = Only the ruins remain
- Me quedan tres euros = I have three euros left
to be, to be located (location)
Refers to the location something has come to rest at.
- El restaurante queda a dos calles de aquí = The restaurant is two streets from here
- Ese pueblo queda lejos = That town is far away
to end up, to turn out, to look (resulting state)
When something settles into a new state.
- La carta quedó sin contestar = The letter ended up unanswered
- No quiero quedar como un idiota = I don't want to come across as an idiot
to fit, to suit, to look good on (clothing / appearance)
How clothing or a style settles on a person — whether it fits or suits them.
- La talla M aún me queda = A medium still fits me
- ¿Cómo le queda el nuevo corte de pelo? = Does her new hairstyle suit her?
to agree, to arrange to meet, to plan to meet (making plans)
Two people settle on an arrangement — they agree on a time and place to meet.
- Quedamos en comprar la finca = We agreed to buy the property
- Quedamos a las diez = We arranged to meet at ten
quedarse
to stay, to remain (in a place)
You actively settle yourself into a place rather than leaving.
- Se quedaron con nosotros durante la Navidad = They stayed with us over Christmas
- No me pidas que me quede si no vas a volver = Don't ask me to stay if you're not coming back
to go, to become, to end up (personal change)
You yourself are left in a new state. Often used for dramatic or irreversible changes.
- Se quedó ciego = He went blind
- Se quedó sin palabras = She was left speechless
quedarse con
to keep, to hold on to (to retain something)
You remain with the object — you don't let it go or give it up. That's what it means to keep something.
- Yo me quedaré con los libros = I'll keep the books
- No te puedes quedar con lo que no es tuyo = You can't keep what isn't yours
to pull someone's leg, to kid (colloquial, Spain)
To trick or tease someone. In English when you "get" or "have" someone, you have control over them for the moment (e.g. he really got me with that prank!). Spanish can express a similar idea with quedarse con: you “keep” the other person.
- ¿Te estás quedando conmigo? = Are you pulling my leg?
- Se quedó con Arturo = He was pulling Arturo's leg