quédate quieto
/kedate kjeto/from spelling rules
The English phrase 'hold still' is translated into Spanish as quédate quieto.
The phrase quédate quieto is commonly used by doctors, parents or anyone who needs another person to remain motionless for a moment.
Meaning: Translations (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is composed of the imperative form of quedarse (to stay or remain) and the adjective quieto (still or motionless).
Which one should you use?
While quédate quieto focuses on remaining in a state of stillness, the phrase no te muevas is a direct command to stop any movement.
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective must change to match the gender of the person you are addressing: use quédate quieta if you are speaking to a female. To tell a group of people to hold still, use the plural form quédense quietos.
Did you know?
- In a high-tension situation like an arrest, a Spanish speaker might drop the verb entirely and simply shout ¡Quieto!, which functions exactly like the English command 'Freeze!'
- In several Latin American regions, quédate quieto can be used as a figurative expression to tell someone to 'settle down' or stop causing trouble, regardless of their physical movement.
- The word quieto is a 'learned borrowing' from the Latin quiētus, making it a close linguistic relative of the English word 'quiet'.
Examples in context
- Por favor, manténgase quieto durante la presentación.Please, hold still during the presentation.
- Le ruego que permanezca inmóvil mientras tomamos la radiografía.I ask that you remain still while we take the X-ray.
- Amigo, quédate quieto mientras saco esa astilla.Friend, hold still while I remove that splinter.
- No te muevas hasta que termine de pintarte las uñas.Don't move until I finish painting your nails.
- Quédate quieto para la foto.Hold still for the photo.
- No te muevas, quédate quieto.Don't move, hold still.
- Por favor, quédate quieto un momento.Please, hold still for a moment.
Example conversation
María is trying to take a picture of Javier.
- MaríaJavier, quédate quieto un segundo.Javier, hold still for a second.
- JavierNo puedo, estoy cansado.I can't, I am tired.
- MaríaSolo es una foto rápida.It is only one quick photo.
- JavierEstá bien, me quedo quieto.Okay, I'll hold still.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries quieto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
