permanecer v. quedar v. quedarse

Question

The verbs permanecer , quedar and quedarse all seem to mean the same thing when it comes to the 'to remain' translation,*

Is there a subtle difference between them that alters the meaning ?

Welcome to SpanishDict, Stewart. - rac1, Jul 16, 2017

Answer 1

Juan permaneció callado.
Juan quedó callado.
Juan se quedó callado.

All the above could be almost the same. "Permanecer" gives more the impression of "staying" meaning that the action took some time. "Quedar" or "quedarse" doesn't emphasize (on) the duration of the action. It could mean that Juan remained silent for a certain period of time. Anyway it's s very subtle difference.

For example if I say:

Quedó herido.
Permaneció herido.

Quedó would imply that he was wounded. Permaneció would imply that he not only was wounded but he had wounds for a long time or even forever. If fact you wouldn't say "permaneció herido" if you only meant he was wounded.

After having written the text above I was thinking that the verb "permanecer" must have the same root of the English words "permanent" , "permanence" and "permanency".

Thanks you for explaining that distinction. :) - bosquederoble, Jul 16, 2017

Of course quedar is used with many expressions apart from the explanation above. - polenta1, Jul 16, 2017

Polenta: Great explanation. Yes, quedar + adjective is often just translated as "to be" + adjective. Of course the "to be" can be is, was, were, will be, etc. - DilKen, Jul 16, 2017

"doesn't emphasize the duration" ;-) - jtaniel, Jul 16, 2017

You don't emphasize on something but you emphasize something, right jtaniel? - polenta1, Jul 16, 2017

jtaniel what about emphasis on something. Is it correct? - polenta1, Jul 16, 2017

Right. You emphasize something or put the emphasis on it. - jtaniel, Jul 16, 2017

thanks - polenta1, Jul 16, 2017

Answer 2

Hello!

These three links from wordreference might be pertinent to this subject.

• Permanecer / quedarse - remain
• permanecer vs. quedarse
• Quedar vs Quedarse

Hope this helps.

Regards!

Answer 3

Juan quedó herido en la batalla.

Juan fue herido en la batalla.

Yes, Dilken was right, quedar or ser plus adjectivo or in this case past participle as an adjective.

We could say:

Juan quedó (fue) herido en la batalla y permaneció herido en el campo de batalla durante horas y horas antes que lo llevaran a un hospital de campaña.