Me quede' asombrado!

Question

Hola amigos t amigas,

If you hang out with native hispanohablantes, you're going to hear quadarme used a menudo in place of estar a lot. The dictionaries just define quardeme as "to be". But tengo mis suspechos que there is a slight difference between two phrases such as:

Estuve asombrado.
Me quedé asombrado.

My guess is that "me quedé" is more emphatic, like saying "I was JUST amazed." Quiene sabe. Que opines.

MM, get a new dictionary, i''s one of the most usefuls and multi-perpose verbs of all, like echar.. - annierats, Oct 8, 2012

que diablos quiere decir i"s? - JoseFresco, Oct 8, 2012

Answer 1

I think a good (American) English equivalent would be if I heard something really astonishing that "left me dumbfounded". This has a much different connotation then "I was dumbfounded." It communicates that the event/image/experience had this effect on you.

Answer 2

You´re right about the difference in nuance here.

The closest thing to English that I can think of for "Me quedé asombrado" is "I was left amazed." This has a much more lasting affect and impact than just the one-time occurance of "Estuve asombrado."

Answer 3

I don't know myself, but this is an interesting question indeed. Perhaps you are right, it has something to do with nuances or emphasis...I am excited to see the answers this turns up!

Answer 4

You are correct about quedarse being widely used. It is (in my opinion) one of the most widely used verbs in the language. I agree with Julian that in this case it means "I was left amazed". I suppose that "Estuve asombrado" is correct I think "Me qued'e asombrado" is much more common.

Answer 5

Quedarse...to remain. Very wide usage of "Quedarse". Los pantalones me quedan bien. The pants fit me well.

I assume that, :"Me quedé asombrado" is demonstarting a personal meaning.

Always look at a vpr verb in a personal way before you make it reflexive.

Se lavó el pelo. She did not wash herself the hair. But, the washing was personal to her. Thus, "She washed her hair.

Using this frame of mind, "Me quedé..." I did not remain myself, but, I did personally remain.

So, using that logic, It is plausible to assume that, "Me quedé asombrado" might mean personally that..."I remained amazed/surprised/astonished...etc.

Just an idea/opinion. Good luck with it. -Viejito