Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| quieto | /ˈkjeto/ | |
| glaxo | /ˈɡlaɡso/ | Peru |
quieto is used as an adjective to describe someone or something that is not moving or is in a state of calm. It is important to note that while quieto refers to physical motionlessness, it is distinct from the Spanish adverb todavía, which is used to mean 'still' in the sense of an action continuing.
Which one should you use?
quieto refers to the state of being motionless, whereas todavía is the word used for the English sense of 'still' when referring to time or continuing actions.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Peru, the term glaxo is used to mean still or motionless.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The adjective quieto must agree in gender and number with the subject it describes. Use quieta when describing a feminine noun or person, and quietos for the plural form.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈkjeto/
Did you know?
- The Spanish word quieto shares a common ancestor with the English word 'quiet'. Both words trace back to the same Proto-Indo-European root meaning 'to rest'.
- In many Spanish-speaking countries, ¡Quieto! is the standard command used by police or authorities to tell a suspect to freeze.
- The phrase quedarse quieto is often used figuratively to mean that someone is refusing to take action or is staying in a stagnant life situation.
Examples in context
- Tom se quedó quieto.Tom kept still.This sentence shows how to use quieto to describe someone staying in a certain state.Tatoeba #10233357 by manufrutos, translation #6196210 by CK
- Siéntate y quédate quieto.Sit still.This sentence uses quieto as a command to stay motionless.Tatoeba #4557399 by swyter, translation #2111552 by CK
- Mantente quieto en el suelo.Lie still.This sentence uses quieto to describe a position on the ground.Tatoeba #4557179 by swyter, translation #1839430 by CK
- 19 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Mateo and Elena are watching a bird in the garden.
- MateoMira ese pájaro, está muy quieto.Look at that bird, it is very still.
- ElenaSí, no se mueve nada.Yes, it is not moving at all.
- MateoSi te quedas quieto, lo veremos mejor.If you stay still, we will see it better.
- ElenaDe acuerdo, me quedaré quieta.Okay, I will stay still.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “still” translations and entries quieto, glaxo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries quieto, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
