te lo puedes quedar
/te lo pwedes kedaɾ/from spelling rules
In Spanish, the phrase "you can have it" is expressed as te lo puedes quedar.
This phrase is used to tell someone that they may keep an object for themselves. While English uses 'have' to mean possession, Spanish uses the verb quedarse (to stay/remain) to express the act of keeping something.
How does it change in a sentence?
The pronoun te can also be placed at the end of the phrase as puedes quedártelo without changing the meaning.
Did you know?
- The verb quedar shares a common ancestor with the English word 'quit', which stems from the same root meaning to settle, rest, or be at peace.
- The verb quedar is also used to say that two people have made an appointment or agreed to meet, such as quedamos a las ocho.
- If a piece of clothing does not fit you, Spanish speakers use quedar to describe the fit, such as me queda grande to say 'it is too big for me'.
Examples in context
- Puede tomar este asiento si lo prefiere.You can have this seat if you prefer it.
- Puede quedarse con este libro si le interesa.You can have/keep this book if you're interested.
- Puedes tomar la última rebanada de pastel.You can have the last slice of cake.
- Puedes quedarte con mi bicicleta si la necesitas.You can have/keep my bike if you need it.
- No lo necesito, te lo puedes quedar.I don't need it, you can have it.
- Si no te sirve, te lo puedes quedar.If it doesn't work for you, you can have it.
- Es un regalo, te lo puedes quedar.It's a gift, you can have it.
- No lo voy a usar, te lo puedes quedar.I'm not going to use it, you can have it.
Example conversation
Sofía is giving Alejandro a book she has already finished reading.
- SofíaYa terminé de leer este libro.I finished reading this book.
- Alejandro¿Seguro? Me gusta mucho este autor.Are you sure? I really like this author.
- SofíaSí, te lo puedes quedar.Yes, you can have it.
- AlejandroMuchas gracias, Sofía.Thank you very much, Sofia.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries lo, quedar, te, CC BY-SA 4.0.
