Mos or Nos?

Question

nos quedamos - we are staying

vamos a quedarnos - we are going to stay

In both these phrases the subject is we, which I thought would mean the verb would end mos, what is the rule for verbs ending nos, rather than mos?

Thanks!

Answer 1

You are correct that the "nosotros" forms of verbs end in "mos." "Nos" can be either a direct object pronoun ("us"), an indirect object pronoun ("to us"), or, as unMica said, a reflexive pronoun ("ourselves/to ourselves"). In certain situations in Spanish, these may be fixed to the end of the verb. These include:

• Infinitives Like in your example, "Quedar", or "sentar", "vivir", "comer", "hablar", etc. Basically any verb that is not conjugated into the specific tense and form yet. Some examples of infinitives with pronouns pegged on at the end: "Quedarnos" ("quedar" + "nos"), "Sentirme" (sentir + me), "Ayudarlo" (Ayudar + lo), "Decírtelo" (Decir + te + lo). This, however, is not mandatory. Your example could have been written: "Nos vamos a quedar" and still mean the same thing.
• Affirmative Commands Like in English "Do it!" or "Give it to me!" Commands tell someone what to do. You add the pronouns to the end of these, also. Examples of commands with pronouns include: "Dámelo" (Da + me + lo), "Lavense" (Laven + se), "Apurate" (Apura + te), "vámonos" (vamos + nos– last 's' of nosotros commands gets cut off when "nos" is added to them so it sounds better). Note that this doesn't include NEGATIVE commands, which are when you tell someone not to do something.
• Gerunds These end in "-ando" or "iendo" and are roughly equivalent to the English "-ing" verbs. "Viviendo", "Esperando", "Hablando", "Comiendo." Examoles with pronouns: "Ayudándonos" (Ayudando + nos) "Diciéndose" (Diciendo + se), Comiéndolo (comiendo + lo). Like with the infinitives, this isn't mandatory.

So, in short, your example looked odd to you because it was an infinitive with a pronoun stuck to the end. Hope this helps!

Answer 2

The difference is whether the verb is reflexive. You say "jugamos" because we are not doing an action to anyone, but you say "bañémonos" because ourselves are getting the action.

mos = normal conjugation of nosotros

nos = reflexive ending of nosotros

I'm not sure if I explained it well, haha.