Buenas noticias! Learning how to say “stay” in Spanish is essential when traveling or communicating with Spanish-speakers. In this guide, we’ll cover both formal and informal ways to express “stay” in different contexts. Let’s dive in and expand your Spanish vocabulary!
Table of Contents
Formal Ways to Say “Stay” in Spanish
If you’re looking to express the concept of “stay” in a formal setting or when addressing someone with respect, you can use the following phrases:
- Quedarse: This is the most common and versatile verb to convey “stay” in formal situations. It can be used to indicate staying at a place temporarily. For example:
“¿Dónde se queda?” – “Where are you staying?”
- Pasar la noche: Literally meaning “to spend the night,” this phrase is suitable when asking someone where they are going to stay overnight, such as in a hotel or a friend’s house. For instance:
“¿En qué hotel va a pasar la noche?” – “Which hotel are you staying in tonight?”
- Residir: This term is ideal when referring to where someone resides more permanently, such as when discussing long-term housing arrangements. For example:
“Laura reside en un apartamento en el centro.” – “Laura stays in an apartment downtown.”
Informal Ways to Say “Stay” in Spanish
When speaking in more casual or informal situations, you can choose from these options to express “stay” in Spanish:
- Quedar: While “quedar” also means “to meet up,” it can be used in an informal setting to ask someone where they are staying temporarily. For instance:
“¿Dónde quedas en tus vacaciones?” – “Where are you staying during your vacation?”
- Hospedarse: This verb specifically refers to staying in a place overnight or for a short period of time, often related to accommodation, hotels, or guesthouses. For example:
“Nos vamos a hospedar en un hotel en la playa.” – “We are going to stay at a hotel on the beach.”
- Permanecer: This term is more formal than the previous ones, but still commonly used in conversations. It refers to staying or remaining in a specific place for an extended period:
“Permanezco en casa de mi abuela durante las vacaciones.” – “I stay at my grandmother’s house during vacations.”
Additional Tips and Examples
Here are some extra tips and examples to help you confidently use these phrases:
- Specify the duration: To provide more context or clarity, add a duration when using these phrases. For instance:
“Voy a quedarme en el hotel por dos noches.” – “I’m going to stay at the hotel for two nights.”
- Use possessive pronouns: When discussing where someone stays, consider using possessive pronouns to indicate ownership or familiarity. For example:
“Mi hermano se queda en esa casa durante el verano.” – “My brother stays in that house during the summer.”
- Discussing multiple people: If you need to talk about more than one person staying, adjust the verb accordingly. For example:
“Mis amigos y yo nos estamos hospedando en un apartamento.” – “My friends and I are staying at an apartment.”
Remember, regional variations in the Spanish-speaking world might exist, but the phrases mentioned above are understood throughout most Spanish-speaking countries. Feel free to adapt these phrases to different contexts, and embrace the warmth of the Spanish language while communicating.
¡Esperamos que esta guía te ayude a expresarte mejor en español! (We hope this guide helps you express yourself better in Spanish!). Now you’re ready to confidently talk about staying in Spanish, formally or informally. ¡Buena suerte (Good luck)!
