Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA |
|---|---|
| parado | /paˈɾado/ |
| de plantón | /de planton/ (from spelling rules) |
The adjective parado is used to describe someone or something in an upright position. The phrase Estar de pie is the most common and neutral way to say standing. If you want to emphasize the act of remaining in an upright position, you can use Permanecer de pie. For specifically describing the maintenance of an erect posture, use Mantenerse erguido.
Which one should you use?
Be aware that in many Spanish-speaking countries, especially in the Southern Cone, parado can also colloquially mean being unemployed.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, parado must agree in both gender and number with the person or object it describes. Use parada for feminine singular subjects, parados for masculine or mixed-gender plural subjects and paradas for feminine plural subjects.
How do you pronounce it?
/paˈɾado/
Did you know?
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, parada does not just describe someone standing, but is the standard word for a bus stop.
- If you 'give someone a plantón' (dar un plantón), it means you stood them up for a date or a meeting.
- The phrase de plantón describes standing, but it often implies standing still for a long time, frequently while waiting for someone in an expectant or perhaps even weary manner.
Examples in context
- ¿Quién está parado ahí?Who is standing there?This sentence uses parado to ask who is standing in a specific location.Tatoeba #1941714 by marcelostockle, translation #50927 by CC
- ¿Quién está allí parado?Who's that standing over there?This sentence uses parado to ask who is standing over there.Tatoeba #7859570 by arh, translation #7856240 by CK
- Estás parado sobre mi pie.You're standing on my foot.This sentence uses parado to describe someone standing on a foot.Tatoeba #3536323 by marcelostockle, translation #3358802 by CK
- Estaba de pie durante la conferenciaI was standing during the conference
- Debe permanecer de pie durante la ceremoniaYou should remain standing during the ceremony
- Es importante mantenerse erguido al estar de pieIt is important to stand upright when standing
- Me gusta bailar paradoI like to dance while standing
- Estoy cansado de estar de pie todo el díaI'm tired of standing all day long
- Le ruego que permanezca de pie mientras pronuncio el discursoI kindly ask you to stand while I give the speech
- Los invitados estarán de pie durante la ceremonia de inauguraciónThe guests will be standing during the opening ceremony
- ¿Por qué estás parado en la puerta?Why are you standing in the doorway?
- 58 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lucía and Mateo are at a crowded bus stop.
- LucíaMateo, ¿por qué estás parado aquí?Mateo, why are you standing here?
- MateoNo hay sillas en la parada.There are no chairs at the stop.
- LucíaEs un problema estar parado tanto tiempo.It is a problem being standing for so long.
- MateoSí, pero ya viene el autobús.Yes, but the bus is coming now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “standing” translations and entries parado, de plantón, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
