¿puedo quedarme?
The Spanish phrase for "can I stay" is ¿puedo quedarme?
This phrase is used to request permission to remain in a location instead of leaving.
Which one should you use?
While ¿puedo quedarme? is a standard way to ask, you may also use ¿Podría quedarme? or ¿Sería posible quedarme? for more formal requests. In informal settings, you might say ¿Me dejas quedarme? or ¿Te molestaría si me quedo? to ask if someone will allow you to stay or if your staying would be a bother.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase puedo quedarme uses the first-person singular form of the verb poder (to be able to/can) to express ability or permission.
Did you know?
- In Spain, quedarse is often used to describe someone who is stunned or frozen in shock, as in se quedó de piedra, meaning 'he stayed like a stone'.
- The verb quedar is used to describe how clothes fit. If a garment te queda bien, it does not mean it stays on you, but that it suits you or fits perfectly.
- While quedarme means 'to stay', the phrase quedarse en blanco describes the specific feeling of your mind going blank during an exam or speech.
Examples in context
- ¿Puedo quedarme en tu casa?Can I stay at your house?
- No me quiero ir, ¿puedo quedarme?I don't want to leave, can I stay?
- Si no te molesta, ¿puedo quedarme?If it doesn't bother you, can I stay?
Example conversation
María is visiting Daniel's apartment and does not want to leave yet.
- MaríaDaniel, me lo estoy pasando muy bien. ¿Puedo quedarme?Daniel, I'm having a great time. Can I stay?
- DanielClaro que sí, María. Quédate el tiempo que quieras.Of course, María. Stay as long as you want.
- MaríaMuchas gracias, eres muy amable.Thank you very much, you are very kind.
- DanielNo es nada, ponte cómoda.It's nothing, make yourself comfortable.
