vs
QUICK ANSWER
"Tener" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to have", and "quedar" is an intransitive verb which is often translated as "to be left". Learn more about the difference between "tener" and "quedar" below.
tener(
teh
-
nehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to possess)
4. (to wear)
a. to have
La chica que busco tiene lentes de sol y una bufanda.The girl I'm looking for has sunglasses and a scarf.
10. (to measure)
12. (to receive)
a. to have
Todavía no tuve el correo electrónico de confirmación de la empresa.I haven't had a confirmation email from the company yet.
15. (to think of)
16. (used to indicate duration) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Tengo dos años sin verlo.I haven't seen him for two years.
Mis abuelos tienen 40 años de casados.My grandparents have been married for 40 years.
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 have to
Tengo que terminar mis deberes antes de salir a la fiesta.I have to finish my homework before going to the party.
b. must
Tienes que comer todo en tu plato si quieres postre.You must eat everything on your plate if you want dessert.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Tengo pensado ir al mercado mañana.I think I'll go to the market tomorrow.
Tenemos entendido que piensas dejar la escuela.We understand that you're thinking of leaving school.
a. to make
La noticia sobre el huracán me tiene muy nervioso.The news about the hurricane is making me nervous.
tenerse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to stand
Este adorno no se tiene sin apoyarlo contra algo.This ornament won't stand without leaning it on something.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Estaba tan mareado que no me tenía de pie.I was so dizzy that I couldn't stand up.
No me tengo de sueño.I'm so tired I can barely stand.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Este muchacho se tiene por muy guapo.That kid thinks he's so attractive.
¿Por quién se tiene tu prima?Who does your cousin think she is?
quedar(
keh
-
dahr
)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.
4. (to look)
5. (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.
6. (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.
8. (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.
quedarse
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.
10. (to retain)
11. (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.
13. (colloquial) (to trick) (Spain)
A word or phrase that is commonly used in conversational speech (e.g., skinny, grandma).
Regionalism used in Spain
