quédate atrás
/kedate atɾas/from spelling rules
To say 'stay back' in Spanish, use quédate atrás.
The phrase is used to instruct someone to keep their distance from a place, typically due to some form of danger.
Meaning: to keep one's distance from a place, often because of some danger (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase quédate atrás is composed of the imperative form of the reflexive verb quedarse (to stay/remain) and the adverb atrás (back/behind).
Which one should you use?
While quédate atrás implies staying behind a certain point or distance, no te acerques specifically means 'do not approach'.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Mexico, you may hear mantente alejado/a to express 'stay back'.
How does it change in a sentence?
To give the command to a group of people, use the plural form quédense atrás.
Did you know?
- The word atrás is a linguistic cousin to English words like 'transport' and 'transition'. Both originate from the Latin root trans, which means 'beyond'.
- While quédate atrás is a command for distance, Spanish speakers often use no te metas to tell someone to 'stay back' from a personal conflict. In this context, it means 'do not get involved' rather than referring to physical space.
- In a crowded environment, you might hear déjate espacio instead of quédate atrás. This literally translates to 'leave yourself space' and is used as a polite way to ask someone to keep their distance.
Examples in context
- Siéntase libre de explorar el área, pero por favor permanezca atrás de la línea amarilla.Feel free to explore the area, but please stay back from the yellow line.
- Le ruego que se mantenga alejado de esta zona restringida.I kindly ask that you stay back from this restricted area.
- No te acerques demasiado al borde del acantilado, es peligroso.Don't get too close to the edge of the cliff, it's dangerous.
- No te acerques al fuego, quédate atrás.Don't go near the fire, stay back.
Example conversation
Lucía warns Alejandro about a broken glass on the floor.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¡quédate atrás!Alejandro, stay back!
- Alejandro¿Qué pasó, Lucía?What happened, Lucía?
- LucíaHay vidrios rotos en el suelo.There is broken glass on the floor.
- AlejandroGracias por avisarme.Thanks for letting me know.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries atrás, CC BY-SA 4.0.
