quedar

Quedar is a versatile Spanish verb with several related but distinct core meanings. The primary sense is to stay or remain in a place: me quedé en casa means I stayed at home, and la casa quedó en la esquina indicates the location. It also expresses being located or remaining in a state or condition: la comida quedó lista, meaning the food was ready, or quedó claro, meaning it became clear.

Another common use is to indicate that something fits or suits someone, as in esta camisa te queda bien (this shirt fits you well) or ese plan no me queda bien (that plan doesn’t work for me). Quedar can also express leftover or remaining quantity: quedan tres semanas, quedan dos libros en la estantería.

Quedar also marks agreement or arrangement: quedamos a las ocho (we agreed to meet at eight), or quedó en llamar (he/ she agreed to call). With reflexive quedarse, the idea of staying behind or ending up in a state is emphasized: me quedé sin dinero (I ran out of money).

Other common expressions include quedar mal o quedar bien, used to describe something that makes a person look bad or good, respectively, and queden bien pieces of clothing or colors, indicating whether they suit someone.

Etymology: queda from Latin quedāre, related to permanecer or settling. Conjugation follows standard -ar patterns: present quedo, quedas, queda, quedamos, quedáis, quedan; preterite quedé, quedaste, quedó, quedamos, quedasteis, quedaron; imperfect quedaba, quedabas, quedaba, quedábamos, quedabais, quedaban; subjunctive quede, quedes, quede, quedemos, quedéis, queden.

Note: quedar is frequently used with a preposition (en, con, para) and in reflexive form quedar- quedarse to express staying behind, running out, or remaining in a condition.