Expressions with Quedar

Quedar is a verb with many faces. It can mean to be located, to fit (clothing), to have left, to arrange to meet, or, in its reflexive form, to stay. Learning its main uses unlocks a lot of natural speech.

Quedar as to be located

Used for places, quedar is interchangeable with estar, but it is extremely common in everyday directions.

La casa queda cerca del parque.

The house is near the park.

¿Dónde queda el baño?

Where's the bathroom?

La farmacia queda a dos cuadras.

The pharmacy is two blocks away.

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In much of Latin America, ¿Dónde queda…? is the most natural way to ask for directions. ¿Dónde está…? also works but can feel slightly more formal or temporary.

Quedar bien / quedar mal (to look good / to fit)

Used with clothing or any gift, quedar expresses how it looks or fits on someone. The structure mirrors gustar: an indirect object plus the subject being commented on.

Ese vestido te queda muy bien.

That dress looks really good on you.

Los pantalones me quedan grandes.

The pants are too big on me.

Le queda perfecto el sombrero.

The hat fits him perfectly.

Quedar bien can also mean "to make a good impression" on someone.

Quiero quedar bien con los padres de mi novio.

I want to make a good impression on my boyfriend's parents.

Quedar (to have left)

Used like gustar, with an indirect object, quedar can mean "to have left" or "to remain".

Me quedan cinco dólares.

I have five dollars left.

Solo queda un pedazo de pastel.

There's only one piece of cake left.

¿Cuánto tiempo nos queda?

How much time do we have left?

Quedar en + infinitive (to agree to)

Quedar en means to agree on a plan or arrangement.

Quedamos en vernos el sábado.

We agreed to meet on Saturday.

¿En qué quedamos?

So what did we agree on?

Quedaron en llamarse más tarde.

They agreed to call each other later.

Quedarse (to stay / to remain)

The reflexive form usually means to stay somewhere or keep something.

Me quedé en casa todo el día.

I stayed home all day.

¿Te quedas o te vas?

Are you staying or leaving?

Quédate un rato más.

Stay a little longer.

Quedarse con means to keep something.

Quédate con el cambio.

Keep the change.

Me quedé con el libro que me regalaste.

I kept the book you gave me.

Quedarse + adjective (to end up)

Like ponerse, quedarse plus an adjective can signal a change, but one that lasts.

Me quedé dormido en el sofá.

I fell asleep on the couch.

Se quedó sorprendida con la noticia.

She was left surprised by the news.

Se quedó callado todo el viaje.

He stayed quiet the whole trip.

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Compare: me puse nervioso (I got nervous, a passing reaction) and me quedé dormido (I fell asleep, and stayed that way). Ponerse marks a short moment of change; quedarse marks a state that settles in.

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