perder
/peɾˈdeɾ/
The English phrase "lose" can be translated into Spanish as perder. Wiktionary also lists fracasar.
Meaning: (intransitive) be defeated (verb)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| perder | /peɾˈdeɾ/ |
| fracasar | /fɾakaˈsaɾ/ |
Perder is the standard and most common term used for the English word "lose".
Which one should you use?
Use perder when referring to losing a game, a competition, an object or weight. In contrast, use fracasar when referring to the failure of an endeavor, a plan or a person's life goals.
How do you pronounce it?
/peɾˈdeɾ/
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often mistakenly use perder to mean "to fail" in a general sense. However, fracasar is more appropriate for failing at a task or mission.
Did you know?
- Unlike English where you might 'lose your temper', in Spanish you often perder los estribos. This refers to losing the stirrups used in horse riding, implying a loss of control.
- The word fracasar comes from the Italian word fracassare, which means to smash or crash, mirroring the English word 'fracas'.
- In Spanish sports commentary, the term perder is often avoided in favor of phrases like no ganar, which means 'not to win', to soften the blow of a defeat.
Examples in context
- ¡No voy a perder!I won't lose!This sentence is useful for expressing determination to not lose using perder.Tatoeba #2953 by Shishir, translation #2024 by CK
- No vamos a perder.We aren't going to lose.This sentence is useful for stating that one is not going to lose using perder.Tatoeba #2352555 by Shishir, translation #4918955 by CK
- Voy a perder peso.I'll lose weight.This sentence is useful for discussing losing weight using perder.Tatoeba #7181462 by arh, translation #2247780 by CK
- Perdimos el partido de fútbol.We lost the soccer match.
- He perdido mi billetera.I have lost my wallet.
- Dejé mi bolígrafo en la oficina y ahora no lo encuentro.I lost my pen in the office, and now I can't find it.
- Extravié mi pasaporte en el aeropuerto.I lost my passport at the airport.
- 221 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Daniel are discussing a championship game.
- LucíaDaniel, ¿crees que vamos a perder?Daniel, do you think we are going to lose?
- DanielNo te preocupes, Lucía, no vamos a perder.Don't worry, Lucía, we aren't going to lose.
- LucíaEspero que tengas razón.I hope you are right.
- DanielConfía en mí, ganaremos.Trust me, we will win.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “lose” translations and entries perder, fracasar, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries fracasar, perder, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
