vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Estar" is a copular verb which is often translated as "to be", and "quedarse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to stay". Learn more about the difference between "estar" and "quedarse" below.
estar(
ehs
-
tahr
)A copular verb links the subject of a clause to the predicate (e.g., My brother is tall).
a. to be
Estoy enojada porque me acaban de dar una multa de estacionamiento.I am angry because I just got a parking ticket.
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
a. to be on (vacation, trip, call)
Estaremos de vacaciones en Europa el verano entero.We're going to be on vacation in Europe all summer long.
c. to be working as
Está de recepcionista hasta que consiga un mejor trabajo.He's working as a receptionist until he finds something better.
6. (to feel)
7. (to appear)
8. (to visit)
9. (to be done)
10. (to exist)
a. to be
Luego está el trabajo que queda por hacer.Then there is the work that still needs to be done.
a. to be in the mood for
No estoy para tus estupideces a estas horas.I am not in the mood for your nonsense at this time of night.
13. (to fit)
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
No quiero que camines sola por la noche, ¿está?I don't want you walking alone at night, understood?
Nos encontraremos a las siete para ir al cine, ¿estamos?We'll meet at seven to go to the movie, all right?
a. to be in favor of
Los estudiantes están por un aumento en ayuda financiera de parte de la universidad.The students are in favor of the university providing more financial aid.
a. to agree with
Estoy con Ana Sofía; no quiero escuchar más peleas entre ustedes.I agree with Ana Sofía. I don't want to hear anymore fighting between the two of you.
a. to be
¡El termómetro dice que está a 25 grados Fahrenheit pero que se siente como 6!The thermometer says it's 25 degrees Fahrenheit out but that it feels like 6!
a. to be
Mientras el hemisferio norte está en invierno, el hemisferio sur está en verano.It is winter in the Northern Hemisphere when it's summer in the Southern Hemisphere.
a. to be
El banco está a tres cuadras de la plaza central.The bank is three blocks from the town square.
a. to remain to be
Está por verse si lloverá en la tarde.It remains to be seen whether it will rain this afternoon.
a. to be going to
Las nubes en la distancia indican que estará por llover esta noche.The clouds in the distance indicate that it is going to rain tonight.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Tengo tres libros que están sin terminar.I have three books that I still have to finish reading.
Estoy sin comer desde temprano esta mañana.I haven't eaten anything since early this morning.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. to be
El cuarto está organizado, ¡así que no hagas desorden!The room is organized. Don't make a mess!
estarse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
26. (to remain)
c. to keep
Diles a los niños que se estén callados un rato, que quiero escuchar las noticias.Tell the kids to keep quiet a minute; I want to listen to the news.
d. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Estate tranquilo; yo lo soluciono.Don't worry; I'll sort it out.
Estate atento porque solo llaman el número una vez.Pay attention because they only call out the number once.
quedarse(
keh
-
dahr
-
seh
)A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to stay
Nuestros primos se quedaron con nosotros durante la Navidad.Our cousins stayed with us over Christmas.
2. (to retain)
3. (to recall)
a. to remember
No se me queda la lección después de haberla aprendido.I can't remember the lesson after I learned it.
a. to go
Mi abuelo se quedó ciego cuando tenía 80 y pico años.My granddad went blind when he was 80 something.
5. (colloquial) (to trick) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
quedar
An intransitive verb is one that does not require a direct object (e.g., The man sneezed.).
c. to be left over
Quedó bastante pollo para alimentar a los perros.There was enough chicken left over to feed to the dogs.
d. to have left
No nos quedan huevos. Hay que comprar más.We don't have any eggs left. We need to buy more.
c. to arrange to meet
He quedado con mi abogado a las 10 am porque quiero pedirle consejo sobre el tema.I've arranged to meet my lawyer at 10 am because I want to ask him for advice on the matter.
9. (to look)
10. (to wait)
a. to stay
No me pidas que quede si no vas a volver.Don't ask me to stay if you are not coming back.
11. (to end up)
a. to come in
Me dio una punzada y quedé última en la carrera de natación.I got a stitch and came in last in the swimming race.
b. to finish
Quedamos terceros. Por lo menos nos llevamos una medalla.We finished third. At least we got a medal.
13. (to appear)
a. to look
Si no queremos quedar como idiotas, es mejor que lo pensemos bien.If we don't want to look stupid, we'd better think about it carefully.
