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B1 noun #10,000 am häufigsten 11 Min. Lesezeit

guardar cama

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Erklärung guardar cama in your Level:

At the A1 level, you usually learn basic words like 'enfermo' (sick) and 'cama' (bed). 'Guardar cama' is a more advanced way to say you are staying in bed because you don't feel well. Think of it as 'staying in bed' instead of just 'being in bed.' Even though 'guardar' usually means 'to keep' or 'to save' (like saving a file on a computer), here it means you are staying in one place for your health. You don't need to worry about complex grammar; just remember that you use the verb 'guardar' and then the word 'cama' without any other words in between. For example, 'Yo guardo cama' means 'I am staying in bed (because I am sick).' It is a very useful phrase if you need to tell a teacher or a friend why you cannot come to class or meet them for coffee.

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As an A2 learner, you are starting to use more idiomatic expressions. 'Guardar cama' is perfect for this level because it helps you describe your health routines more accurately. Instead of just saying 'Estoy en la cama' (which could mean you are just sleeping or relaxing), 'guardar cama' tells the listener that you are resting specifically to get better from an illness. You should practice conjugating 'guardar' in the present and past tenses. For example, 'Ayer guardé cama' (Yesterday I stayed in bed). Notice that we do not say 'la cama.' This is a common mistake for English speakers. In A2, you can use this phrase in simple stories about why someone was absent or how they recovered from a cold. It sounds much more natural than literal translations from English.

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At the B1 level, you should understand the nuance of 'guardar cama' as a formal medical recommendation. It is the phrase a doctor would use in a prescription or a professional note. You should be able to use it with modal verbs like 'deber' (should) or 'tener que' (have to). For instance, 'El doctor dijo que debo guardar cama por tres días.' This level also requires you to understand the difference between this and 'hacer reposo.' While 'hacer reposo' focuses on the rest itself, 'guardar cama' specifically mentions the bed as the place of recovery. You might also encounter this in news reports or more detailed stories. It's a key part of the 'Health and Illness' vocabulary module at this level, helping you move toward a more intermediate, fluid style of speaking.

For B2 learners, 'guardar cama' is a standard part of your vocabulary, and you should be comfortable using it in various moods and tenses, including the subjunctive. For example, 'Es importante que guardes cama hasta que la fiebre desaparezca.' You should also recognize its use in more formal contexts, such as official communications or literature. At this level, you can appreciate the historical and cultural weight of the phrase—how it reflects a traditional approach to healing through rest. You might compare it to more modern or clinical terms like 'reposo absoluto.' You should also be able to use it to describe long-term recovery or chronic conditions where bed rest is a recurring necessity, showing a deeper grasp of how Spanish-speaking cultures view the process of healing.

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At the C1 level, you should have a complete mastery of 'guardar cama,' including its stylistic uses. You might use it in a formal essay about healthcare or in a sophisticated narrative. You understand that the verb 'guardar' here retains its ancient meaning of 'observing a duty' or 'maintaining a state,' similar to 'guardar silencio' (to keep silent) or 'guardar las formas' (to keep up appearances). You can use the phrase to create specific tones in your writing—perhaps using it to evoke a sense of traditional care or, conversely, to describe a character's forced inactivity. You are also aware of regional variations and can distinguish when 'guardar cama' is the most appropriate choice over more modern or localized alternatives like 'hacer reposo' or 'estar encamado'.

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At the C2 level, 'guardar cama' is a tool for precise expression. You can use it with total ease in any context, from a medical symposium to a high-level literary analysis. You might explore the phrase's etymological roots or its presence in classical Spanish literature, where the 'cama' was often a site of significant dramatic action. You understand the subtle social implications of the phrase—how it can be used to politely signal a withdrawal from public life. Your usage is indistinguishable from that of a highly educated native speaker, and you can play with the phrase in creative ways, perhaps using it metaphorically or in complex grammatical structures. You also recognize the phrase in archaic texts where it might have had slightly different connotations, showing a comprehensive historical understanding of the Spanish language.

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guardar cama in 30 Sekunden

A common Spanish phrase meaning to stay in bed due to illness.
Used in medical or domestic contexts to describe recovery and rest.
Always uses 'guardar' + 'cama' without an article like 'la'.
Essential for B1 learners to describe health routines naturally.

The Spanish verbal locution guardar cama is a fundamental expression used within the medical and domestic spheres to describe the act of staying in bed as a therapeutic measure. While a literal translation might suggest 'guarding' or 'saving' a bed, the verb guardar in this context carries the archaic and formal sense of 'observing' a rule or 'maintaining' a state. Therefore, when a Spaniard or Latin American says they must guardar cama, they are not merely sleeping; they are adhering to a prescribed period of rest to recover from illness, injury, or extreme exhaustion. This phrase is distinct from simply 'going to bed' (ir a la cama) because it implies a continuous state of confinement to bed for health reasons. In the hierarchy of Spanish health vocabulary, it sits between the casual descansar (to rest) and the more clinical estar postrado (to be bedridden), offering a polite and clear way to communicate that one is incapacitated by illness but likely on the mend.

Clinical Context: Used by doctors to prescribe rest. It is the standard medical instruction for viral infections like the flu where no specific medicine exists other than time and hydration.
Social Context: Used to decline invitations or justify absence from work or school. It carries a connotation of legitimate illness that requires respect and space from others.

El médico me recomendó guardar cama durante al menos tres días para que la fiebre baje por completo.

Historically, the phrase reflects a time when medical intervention was limited, and 'bed rest' was the primary treatment for almost every ailment. In modern Spanish, even with the advent of advanced pharmaceuticals, the cultural value of reposo (rest) remains high. You will hear this phrase in every Spanish-speaking country, from the bustling streets of Madrid to the highlands of the Andes. It is a 'set phrase,' meaning you rarely change the words within it; you wouldn't say 'guardar la cama' (with the article) or 'mantener cama.' The lack of the definite article 'la' is a key grammatical feature that marks it as an idiomatic expression. Understanding this phrase is essential for B1 learners as it moves beyond basic 'I am sick' (Estoy enfermo) into describing the specific action taken to get better.

Si no empiezas a guardar cama ahora, esa gripe se va a convertir en algo mucho peor.

In terms of register, it is neutral to slightly formal. While children might just say 'estoy en la cama,' an adult explaining their situation to a boss or a doctor would almost certainly use guardar cama. It suggests a level of responsibility toward one's own health. Furthermore, the phrase can be used in the past tense to describe a long recovery: 'Tuve que guardar cama por un mes.' This indicates a significant health event. It is also common in literature and news reports when discussing the health of public figures, providing a dignified way to say they are unwell without disclosing private medical details.

Regional Usage: While universal, in some parts of Latin America, you might also hear 'hacer reposo,' which is synonymous but slightly more focused on the 'rest' than the 'bed'.

Using guardar cama correctly requires an understanding of Spanish verb conjugation and the specific syntax of idiomatic expressions. The most important rule to remember is that 'cama' does not take an article. It is not 'guardar la cama' or 'guardar una cama.' This omission of the article is what transforms the literal meaning of 'storing a bed' into the idiomatic meaning of 'confinement to bed for health.' The verb guardar follows the regular pattern for -ar verbs, making it relatively easy to conjugate across all tenses.

Aunque quería ir a la fiesta, el agotamiento me obligó a guardar cama todo el fin de semana.

When using this phrase in the present tense, it often describes a current state of being: 'Juan no puede venir porque guarda cama.' In the preterite, it describes a completed period of illness: 'La semana pasada guardé cama por culpa de una infección.' The phrase is also frequently paired with modal verbs like deber (must), tener que (have to), or necesitar (need to), as staying in bed is often a requirement rather than a choice. For example: 'Debes guardar cama si quieres recuperarte pronto.'

With Duration: It is common to specify how long one must stay in bed. 'Guardar cama por tres días' or 'guardar cama durante una semana'.
Imperative Mood: Used by parents or doctors: '¡Guarda cama!' (Stay in bed!). It sounds authoritative yet caring.

Desde que le diagnosticaron la neumonía, ha tenido que guardar cama estrictamente.

One nuance to consider is the difference between guardar cama and estar en cama. While they are often interchangeable, guardar cama implies a purposeful, often medically advised, period of rest. Estar en cama simply describes the physical location of the person. If you are watching TV in bed because you are lazy, you are 'en la cama.' If you are there because you have a 102-degree fever and the doctor told you not to move, you are 'guardando cama.' This distinction is subtle but important for achieving a B1 level of fluency.

Muchos pacientes no entienden la importancia de guardar cama tras una cirugía menor.

Finally, consider the reflexive use of 'guardarse' which is rare but occasionally seen in older literature to mean 'to keep oneself' in a place. However, for the modern learner, sticking to the standard 'guardar cama' is the safest and most natural-sounding choice. Whether you are writing a formal email to a professor or telling a friend why you missed their birthday, this phrase will serve you perfectly.

In the real world, guardar cama is most frequently encountered in healthcare environments and within the family home. If you visit a centro de salud in Spain or a clínica in Mexico, you will likely see this phrase on printed discharge instructions or hear it from a nurse. It is the 'gold standard' for advising rest. Beyond the clinic, it is a staple of domestic life. A mother might tell her child, 'Hoy no vas al colegio, te quedas guardando cama,' emphasizing that the day is for recovery, not for playing video games or being active.

In the Workplace: When calling in sick, saying 'Tengo que guardar cama' sounds more professional and serious than just saying 'Estoy mal' (I'm bad/sick). It implies you are following medical advice.
In Literature: Classic Spanish novels often use this phrase to describe the decline of a character's health. It adds a touch of solemnity to the narrative.

El comunicado oficial informaba que el presidente debía guardar cama por una leve indisposición.

You will also encounter this phrase in news media. When a famous actor, athlete, or politician falls ill, the press often reports that they are 'guardando cama' in their residence. This is a respectful way to report on health without being overly intrusive. In soap operas (telenovelas), this phrase is a plot staple. A character might be 'guardando cama' after a dramatic fainting spell, providing a setting for other characters to visit them and advance the plot through bedside confessions.

Mi abuela siempre decía que guardar cama y un buen caldo de pollo curaban cualquier mal.

Interestingly, with the rise of remote work, the phrase is evolving. Even if someone is 'guardando cama,' they might still be working on a laptop. However, traditionalists would argue that if you are working, you aren't truly 'guardando cama,' as the phrase implies a total cessation of activity to allow the body to heal. In social media, you might see the hashtag #GuardandoCama accompanied by a photo of a thermometer, a cup of tea, and a stack of books, signaling to friends that the person is taking a necessary break from the world.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make when learning guardar cama is the temptation to translate 'stay in bed' literally as 'quedarse en cama.' While quedarse en cama is grammatically correct and widely used, it lacks the specific medical/restorative connotation of guardar cama. Another common mistake is adding the definite article 'la'. In Spanish, saying 'guardar la cama' sounds like you are literally putting the bed away in a storage unit or protecting the physical piece of furniture from damage. The omission of 'la' is critical for the idiomatic meaning.

The 'La' Mistake: Incorrect: 'Tengo que guardar la cama.' (This means you are storing the bed). Correct: 'Tengo que guardar cama.'
Verb Confusion: Some learners try to use 'mantener' (to maintain). While logical, 'mantener cama' is not a recognized expression in Spanish.

Es un error común decir 'guardar la cama' cuando lo que se quiere decir es que se está enfermo.

Pronunciation can also be a stumbling block. Because 'guardar' ends in an 'r' and 'cama' starts with a 'c', there is a tendency for beginners to pause too long between the words. In natural speech, the 'r' of 'guardar' should transition smoothly into the 'k' sound of 'cama.' Also, ensure you are not confusing 'guardar' with 'quedar.' While 'quedarse en cama' is a valid alternative, 'guardarse cama' (reflexive) is generally incorrect in this context. You 'guard' the state of being in bed, you don't 'guard yourself' the bed.

No confundas 'hacer la cama' (make the bed) con 'guardar cama' (stay in bed due to illness).

Finally, context is key. Don't use guardar cama if you are just having a lazy Sunday morning. In that case, use 'hacer el vago' or simply 'estar en la cama.' Using guardar cama for non-illness related rest can sound overly dramatic or even confusing to native speakers, who will immediately start asking you what symptoms you have or if you've seen a doctor. Reserve this phrase for when health is the primary reason for your horizontal position.

While guardar cama is a specific and useful phrase, Spanish offers several alternatives depending on the level of formality and the exact nature of the rest. Understanding these synonyms will help you choose the right word for the right situation. The most common informal alternative is quedarse en cama. This is more literal and is used frequently in daily conversation. If you want to emphasize the 'rest' aspect rather than the 'bed' aspect, you can use hacer reposo. This is very common in medical contexts throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

Hacer Reposo: More clinical. It implies a doctor's order. You can 'hacer reposo' on a sofa, not necessarily just in bed.
Estar Postrado: Much stronger. It implies being 'laid low' or bedridden by a very serious illness. Use with caution.

En lugar de guardar cama, el deportista tuvo que hacer reposo absoluto para recuperar su rodilla.

Another related term is convalecer (to convalesce), though this is much more formal and refers to the entire period of recovery after the acute phase of an illness has passed. If someone is just resting because they are tired, echarse una siesta (to take a nap) or descansar (to rest) are the appropriate choices. For children, you might hear estar en camita, using the diminutive to make the situation sound less scary or more cozy. In some regions, hacer cama is also used, but it's less common and can sometimes be confused with 'making the bed' in certain dialects.

Después de la operación, el paciente estuvo postrado en cama durante semanas.

Finally, let's look at antonyms. The opposite of guardar cama would be hacer vida normal (to live a normal life/go about one's business) or estar de pie (to be on one's feet). When a doctor tells you that you no longer need to guardar cama, they might say, 'Ya puedes empezar a hacer vida normal.' Knowing these contrasts helps solidify your understanding of when and why to use the original phrase. In summary, while 'guardar cama' is the most idiomatic way to describe staying in bed for health, being aware of 'hacer reposo' and 'quedarse en cama' will make your Spanish sound more flexible and natural.

How Formal Is It?

Wusstest du?

The verb 'guardar' is a 'cognate' with the English word 'ward' and 'guard'. When you 'guardar cama', you are essentially 'guarding' your health by staying in bed.

Aussprachehilfe

UK /ɡwarˈðar ˈkama/

US /ɡwarˈdar ˈkɑmə/

Stressed on the second syllable of 'guar-DAR' and the first syllable of 'CA-ma'.

Reimt sich auf

ama drama flama rama trama fama llama pijama

Häufige Fehler

Pronouncing the 'u' in 'guardar' (it is silent after 'g' when followed by 'u' and 'a' in some languages, but in Spanish 'gua' is pronounced like 'gwa').
Adding an 's' to 'cama'.
Pronouncing 'cama' like the English word 'came'.
Strongly aspirating the 'c' in 'cama'.
Rolling the 'r' too long at the end of 'guardar'.

Schwierigkeitsgrad

Lesen 2/5

Easy to recognize in text, though 'guardar' might confuse beginners.

Schreiben 3/5

Requires remembering to omit the article 'la'.

Sprechen 3/5

Natural flow between 'guardar' and 'cama' takes practice.

Hören 2/5

Very common and usually clearly articulated.

Was du als Nächstes lernen solltest

Voraussetzungen

cama enfermo gripe médico reposo

Als Nächstes lernen

convalecencia recetar síntomas mejoría recaída

Fortgeschritten

estar encamado postración valetudinario clínica terapéutico

Wichtige Grammatik

Omission of the definite article in fixed expressions.

Guardar cama (Not: Guardar la cama).

Verbs of obligation followed by infinitive.

Tener que + guardar cama.

Use of 'llevar' + gerund for ongoing actions.

Llevo tres días guardando cama.

Subjunctive with verbs of influence.

El médico quiere que yo guarde cama.

Preterite vs. Imperfect for past health states.

Guardé cama (specific event) vs. Guardaba cama (habitual or ongoing state).

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Beispiele nach Niveau

Hoy no puedo jugar, debo guardar cama.

Today I cannot play, I must stay in bed.

Direct use of 'debo' + infinitive.

Mi hermano guarda cama porque tiene gripe.

My brother is staying in bed because he has the flu.

Present tense conjugation of 'guardar'.

¿Tienes que guardar cama hoy?

Do you have to stay in bed today?

Question form using 'tener que'.

No voy a la escuela, guardo cama.

I am not going to school, I'm staying in bed.

Simple present tense.

El niño guarda cama y descansa.

The boy stays in bed and rests.

Joining two verbs of rest.

Mamá dice: 'Guarda cama, por favor'.

Mom says: 'Stay in bed, please'.

Imperative (command) form.

Yo guardo cama cuando estoy enfermo.

I stay in bed when I am sick.

General statement in present tense.

Mañana voy a guardar cama.

Tomorrow I am going to stay in bed.

Future with 'ir a'.

Ayer guardé cama todo el día por el resfriado.

Yesterday I stayed in bed all day because of the cold.

Preterite tense for a completed action.

Si guardas cama, te sentirás mejor pronto.

If you stay in bed, you will feel better soon.

Conditional 'if' clause.

Mi abuelo tuvo que guardar cama una semana.

My grandfather had to stay in bed for a week.

Past tense 'tuvo que' + infinitive.

Estamos guardando cama porque todos estamos enfermos.

We are staying in bed because we are all sick.

Present progressive tense.

No salgas de casa, es mejor guardar cama.

Don't go out of the house, it's better to stay in bed.

Negative imperative + infinitive phrase.

Ella siempre guarda cama cuando le duele la cabeza.

She always stays in bed when her head hurts.

Adverb of frequency 'siempre'.

El médico me recomendó guardar cama y beber agua.

The doctor recommended I stay in bed and drink water.

Reporting past advice.

No pude estudiar porque tuve que guardar cama.

I couldn't study because I had to stay in bed.

Stating a reason for inability.

Es fundamental guardar cama tras una intervención así.

It is fundamental to stay in bed after such an intervention.

Impersonal expression with 'es' + adjective.

Aunque no quiera, el paciente debe guardar cama.

Even if he doesn't want to, the patient must stay in bed.

Concessive clause with 'aunque'.

Si hubiera guardado cama, no estaría tan mal ahora.

If I had stayed in bed, I wouldn't be so bad now.

Third conditional (past unreal).

Le sugiero que guarde cama durante el fin de semana.

I suggest that you stay in bed during the weekend.

Subjunctive after a verb of suggestion.

Guardar cama no es solo dormir, es permitir que el cuerpo sane.

Staying in bed isn't just sleeping, it's allowing the body to heal.

Gerund-like use of infinitive as a subject.

Llevo tres días guardando cama y ya me aburro.

I've been staying in bed for three days and I'm already bored.

'Llevar' + time + gerund.

No es necesario guardar cama si no tienes fiebre.

It's not necessary to stay in bed if you don't have a fever.

Negative impersonal expression.

A pesar de guardar cama, su estado no mejoraba.

Despite staying in bed, his condition did not improve.

'A pesar de' + infinitive.

Se le ordenó guardar cama estrictamente para evitar recaídas.

He was ordered to stay strictly in bed to avoid relapses.

Passive voice with 'se'.

Dudo que pueda venir, ya que le han mandado guardar cama.

I doubt he can come, since they have sent him to stay in bed.

Subjunctive after 'dudo que'.

El reposo implica guardar cama y desconectar de todo estrés.

Rest implies staying in bed and disconnecting from all stress.

Verbal nouns and complex sentence structure.

Resulta tedioso guardar cama cuando hace tan buen tiempo fuera.

It turns out to be tedious staying in bed when the weather is so good outside.

Use of 'resulta' as a linking verb.

Apenas podía moverse, así que no tuvo más remedio que guardar cama.

He could hardly move, so he had no choice but to stay in bed.

'No tener más remedio que' idiom.

Espero que estés guardando cama tal como te indicó el doctor.

I hope you are staying in bed just as the doctor told you.

Present progressive subjunctive.

Para algunos, guardar cama es un lujo; para otros, una tortura.

For some, staying in bed is a luxury; for others, a torture.

Contrastive sentence structure.

Había guardado cama durante meses antes de la operación.

He had stayed in bed for months before the operation.

Pluperfect tense.

La prescripción de guardar cama ha sido cuestionada por nuevos estudios.

The prescription of bed rest has been questioned by new studies.

Passive voice with 'ser' + past participle.

Guardar cama se convirtió en su única ocupación durante el crudo invierno.

Staying in bed became his only occupation during the harsh winter.

Reflexive verb 'convertirse en'.

No bastaba con guardar cama; necesitaba cuidados constantes.

Staying in bed wasn't enough; he needed constant care.

Imperfect tense for description and state.

Pese a su deseo de trabajar, su cuerpo le exigía guardar cama.

Despite his desire to work, his body demanded he stay in bed.

Personification of 'cuerpo'.

El protocolo exige que el donante guarde cama unas horas tras la extracción.

The protocol requires the donor to stay in bed for a few hours after the extraction.

Subjunctive in a formal requirement.

Incluso los más activos se ven obligados a guardar cama en algún momento.

Even the most active people find themselves forced to stay in bed at some point.

Passive 'se ven obligados'.

Aquel retiro forzoso a guardar cama le permitió reflexionar sobre su vida.

That forced withdrawal to bed rest allowed him to reflect on his life.

Abstract noun phrase.

Cualquier intento de levantarse era frenado por la orden de guardar cama.

Any attempt to get up was halted by the order to stay in bed.

Passive construction with 'era frenado'.

La languidez del enfermo le obligaba a guardar cama de forma indefinida.

The patient's listlessness forced him to stay in bed indefinitely.

Use of sophisticated vocabulary like 'languidez'.

Acaso el guardar cama sea el último refugio de la introspección absoluta.

Perhaps staying in bed is the last refuge of absolute introspection.

Subjunctive with 'acaso' and nominalized infinitive.

Se debate si guardar cama es un vestigio de la medicina decimonónica.

It is debated whether bed rest is a vestige of nineteenth-century medicine.

Sophisticated medical/historical discourse.

Su convalecencia, marcada por el deber de guardar cama, fue dilatada.

His recovery, marked by the duty to stay in bed, was prolonged.

Appositive phrase with 'marcada por'.

La orden de guardar cama cayó sobre él como una sentencia de ostracismo.

The order to stay in bed fell upon him like a sentence of ostracism.

Metaphorical and literary language.

No hay mayor paradoja que guardar cama para recobrar la libertad de movimiento.

There is no greater paradox than staying in bed to regain freedom of movement.

Comparative structure with 'no hay mayor... que'.

Aun guardando cama, su mente febril no dejaba de pergeñar nuevos planes.

Even while staying in bed, his feverish mind did not stop devising new plans.

Concessive gerund construction.

La rigurosidad con la que guardó cama fue determinante para su curación.

The rigor with which he stayed in bed was decisive for his cure.

Relative clause with 'con la que'.

Häufige Kollokationen

deber guardar cama

mandar guardar cama

guardar cama estrictamente

tener que guardar cama

guardar cama por prescripción

guardar cama unos días

obligar a guardar cama

recomendar guardar cama

imposible guardar cama

necesitar guardar cama

Häufige Phrasen

Guardar cama por gripe

— To stay in bed specifically because of the flu. A very common reason.

Medio equipo está guardando cama por gripe.

Guardar cama tras el parto

— Traditional period of rest for a mother after giving birth. Sometimes called 'cuarentena'.

Antiguamente se guardaba cama por cuarenta días tras el parto.

No poder ni guardar cama

— Being so busy or stressed that one cannot even take the time to rest when sick.

Tengo tanto trabajo que no puedo ni guardar cama.

Guardar cama y reposo

— A redundant but common way to emphasize the need for total inactivity.

El tratamiento consiste en guardar cama y reposo total.

Mandar a alguien a guardar cama

— When an authority figure (doctor/parent) tells someone they must stay in bed.

Mi madre me mandó a guardar cama en cuanto me vio la cara.

Guardar cama por agotamiento

— Resting due to extreme fatigue rather than a specific virus.

A veces el cuerpo te pide guardar cama por agotamiento.

Guardar cama de forma preventiva

— Staying in bed to prevent a minor symptom from getting worse.

Prefiero guardar cama hoy de forma preventiva.

Estar de guardia y no guardar cama

— A play on words involving medical shifts ('estar de guardia') vs resting.

Los médicos están de guardia, no pueden guardar cama.

Guardar cama hasta nueva orden

— Staying in bed until a doctor says otherwise.

Debe usted guardar cama hasta nueva orden.

Guardar cama por una lesión

— Staying in bed due to a physical injury rather than an illness.

Tuve que guardar cama por una lesión en la espalda.

Wird oft verwechselt mit

guardar cama vs hacer la cama

This means 'to make the bed' (straightening sheets). 'Guardar cama' is about staying in it because you are sick.

guardar cama vs guardar la cama

With the article 'la', it literally means to put the bed in storage or protect the furniture.

guardar cama vs quedarse en cama

Similar, but 'guardar cama' is more formal and implies a medical reason.

Redewendungen & Ausdrücke

"Guardar las apariencias"

— To keep up appearances. Uses 'guardar' in a similar abstract sense.

Aunque estaban arruinados, seguían guardando las apariencias.

neutral

"Guardar silencio"

— To keep quiet. Another common 'guardar' + noun phrase.

Por favor, guarden silencio durante la ceremonia.

neutral

"Guardar cama es de sabios"

— A made-up or proverbial-sounding phrase implying that smart people know when to rest.

No te arriesgues, guardar cama es de sabios.

informal

"Guardar rencor"

— To hold a grudge. Uses 'guardar' as 'to keep/hold'.

No es bueno guardar rencor por tanto tiempo.

neutral

"Guardar el secreto"

— To keep a secret.

¿Puedes guardar el secreto?

neutral

"Guardar la línea"

— To watch one's figure/weight.

No como postre porque trato de guardar la línea.

neutral

"Guardar las distancias"

— To keep one's distance.

Es mejor guardar las distancias con gente tóxica.

neutral

"Guardar la ropa"

— Part of the idiom 'Nadar y guardar la ropa' (To have one's cake and eat it too).

Él siempre intenta nadar y guardar la ropa.

informal

"Guardar compostura"

— To keep one's composure.

A pesar del insulto, guardó la compostura.

formal

"Guardar turno"

— To wait for one's turn.

Hay que guardar turno para entrar al médico.

neutral

Leicht verwechselbar

guardar cama vs ahorrar

Both can translate as 'to save' in English.

'Ahorrar' is for money or energy. 'Guardar' is for keeping, storing, or observing a state.

Ahorro dinero, pero guardo cama.

guardar cama vs quedar

Both involve staying somewhere.

'Quedar' is just 'to stay'. 'Guardar cama' is a fixed idiom for illness.

Me quedo en el hotel, pero guardo cama en mi casa.

guardar cama vs mantener

Both can mean 'to keep'.

'Mantener' is for maintaining a physical state or opinion. 'Guardar' is idiomatic here.

Mantengo mi opinión, pero guardo cama por salud.

guardar cama vs vigilar

Both can mean 'to watch/guard'.

'Vigilar' is to watch for danger. 'Guardar' is to observe a rule or keep a state.

Vigilo al niño mientras él guarda cama.

guardar cama vs esperar

Both involve time and inactivity.

'Esperar' is to wait. 'Guardar cama' is a specific physical action for recovery.

Espero al médico mientras guardo cama.

Satzmuster

Yo [conjugation of guardar] cama.

Yo guardo cama.

Tengo que guardar cama por [reason].

Tengo que guardar cama por la gripe.

El médico me recomendó que [subjunctive of guardar] cama.

El médico me recomendó que guardara cama.

Si hubiera [past participle of guardar] cama, ya estaría bien.

Si hubiera guardado cama, ya estaría bien.

La necesidad de guardar cama se hace evidente cuando...

La necesidad de guardar cama se hace evidente cuando la fiebre no baja.

Pese a lo tedioso de guardar cama, es imperativo...

Pese a lo tedioso de guardar cama, es imperativo para la salud pública.

Ayer [preterite of guardar] cama todo el día.

Ayer guardé cama todo el día.

Es mejor guardar cama que empeorar.

Wortfamilie

Substantive

cama (bed)

camita (little bed)

camilla (stretcher/massage table)

camisón (nightgown)

Verben

guardar (to keep/save)

encamar (to put to bed - rare/technical)

acostarse (to lie down)

Adjektive

encamado (bedridden)

camero (related to a bed - rare)

Verwandt

guardia (guard/shift)

resguardo (shelter/protection)

guardarropa (cloakroom)

guardameta (goalkeeper)

guardabarros (fender/mudguard)

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frequency

Common in medical and domestic contexts across all Spanish-speaking regions.

Häufige Fehler

Guardar la cama → Guardar cama
Adding the article 'la' changes the meaning to literally storing or protecting the physical bed.
Quedar cama → Guardar cama / Quedarse en cama
You cannot use 'quedar' without 'en' and the article. 'Guardar cama' is a fixed idiom.
Guardar camas → Guardar cama
Even if referring to multiple people, the idiom uses the singular 'cama'. Example: 'Ellos guardan cama'.
Hacer cama → Guardar cama
While 'hacer cama' is used in some niche dialects, it is often confused with 'hacer la cama' (making the bed).
Mantener cama → Guardar cama
Though 'mantener' means 'to keep/maintain', it is not used in this specific idiomatic expression.

Tipps

No Article Needed

Never say 'guardar la cama' unless you are moving house and putting your bed in a box! The idiom for being sick is always 'guardar cama'.

Medical Context

Use this phrase when you want to sound like you are taking your health seriously or following professional advice.

Smooth Transition

Try to link the final 'r' of 'guardar' directly to the 'c' of 'cama' for a more native-sounding flow.

Word Family

Remember that 'guardar' is used in many Spanish idioms like 'guardar silencio' or 'guardar un secreto'.

Universal Phrase

This is one of those rare phrases that works perfectly in every single Spanish-speaking country without confusion.

Polite Excuse

If you need to cancel plans, 'Tengo que guardar cama' is a very polite and unquestionable excuse.

B1 Milestone

Mastering this phrase shows you are moving beyond basic vocabulary into more natural, idiomatic Spanish.

The Bed Guard

Visualize a soldier 'guarding' your bed to keep you safe from the flu. Guardar + Cama.

Vs. Hacer la cama

Don't confuse 'guardar cama' (staying in bed) with 'hacer la cama' (tidying the sheets). They are very different!

Formal Notes

In a formal email to a boss, 'Me veo obligado a guardar cama' (I find myself forced to stay in bed) is an excellent choice.

Einprägen

Eselsbrücke

Think of a 'Guard' standing by your 'Cama' (bed) to make sure you stay inside and get better.

Visuelle Assoziation

Imagine a giant shield (Guardar) protecting a bed (Cama) from a storm outside (the illness).

Word Web

Salud Médico Gripe Reposo Almohada Manta Termómetro Recuperación

Herausforderung

Try to use 'guardar cama' in three different tenses today: 'Hoy guardo cama', 'Ayer guardé cama', 'Mañana guardaré cama'.

Wortherkunft

The verb 'guardar' comes from the Germanic 'wardon' (to watch over, protect). The word 'cama' comes from the Latin 'cama' (a low bed, often made of fabric).

Ursprüngliche Bedeutung: To watch over or maintain the state of being in bed.

Romance (Spanish), with Germanic roots for the verb.

Kultureller Kontext

No specific sensitivities, but avoid using it mockingly to someone who is actually very ill.

Equivalent to 'bed rest' or 'staying in bed'. English is often more direct ('I'm in bed sick').

Commonly used in news reports about the Spanish Royal Family's health. Appears in Gabriel García Márquez novels to describe the 'mal de amores' (lovesickness). A staple phrase in Spanish medical dramas like 'Hospital Central'.

Im Alltag üben

Kontexte aus dem Alltag

Doctor's Consultation

¿Debo guardar cama?
¿Cuántos días de guardar cama?
El doctor me mandó guardar cama.
No puedo guardar cama por el trabajo.

Work/Office

Llamo para decir que debo guardar cama.
Estaré guardando cama toda la semana.
Le envío el justificante por guardar cama.
Sigo guardando cama, no puedo ir.

Family/Home

¡A guardar cama se ha dicho!
¿Quieres algo mientras guardas cama?
Está guardando cama, no le molestes.
Me aburro de tanto guardar cama.

School

Mi hijo tiene que guardar cama.
Falté porque tuve que guardar cama.
¿Hay mucha tarea para quien guarda cama?
Espero no tener que guardar cama.

News/Media

El actor guarda cama tras el accidente.
Se ve obligado a guardar cama.
Continúa guardando cama en su hogar.
Recomendación de guardar cama.

Gesprächseinstiege

"¿Alguna vez has tenido que guardar cama por más de una semana?"

"¿Qué es lo que más te aburre cuando tienes que guardar cama?"

"¿Prefieres guardar cama y leer o ver series cuando estás enfermo?"

"¿Tu médico suele mandarte guardar cama por un simple resfriado?"

"¿Crees que hoy en día la gente realmente guarda cama cuando lo necesita?"

Tagebuch-Impulse

Describe la última vez que tuviste que guardar cama. ¿Cómo te sentiste física y mentalmente?

Escribe un diálogo entre un médico estricto y un paciente que no quiere guardar cama.

¿Qué elementos son indispensables para ti cuando tienes que guardar cama (libros, té, música)?

Reflexiona sobre la importancia del descanso en nuestra sociedad actual. ¿Es 'guardar cama' un lujo?

Imagina que eres un virus. Describe tu frustración cuando el paciente decide guardar cama y descansar.

Häufig gestellte Fragen

10 Fragen

Technically no, if you mean you are sick. Adding 'la' makes it literal, as in storing the furniture. To say you are staying in bed due to illness, always omit the article: 'guardar cama'.

Yes, it is universally understood and used throughout the Spanish-speaking world, including Spain and all of Latin America, though some regions might also use 'hacer reposo'.

It is a regular -ar verb. Present: guardo, guardas, guarda, guardamos, guardáis, guardan. Preterite: guardé, guardaste, guardó, guardamos, guardasteis, guardaron.

It is neutral to slightly formal. It is perfectly appropriate for a doctor's office, a work email, or talking to family.

'Guardar cama' specifically implies staying in bed. 'Hacer reposo' is broader and means resting in general, which could be on a sofa or just not working.

Yes, though they might say 'estar en la cama'. A parent is more likely to use 'guardar cama' when giving instructions to a child.

Mostly, yes. However, it can also be used for extreme exhaustion or recovering from a psychological shock, provided the 'treatment' is bed rest.

The verb conjugates for plural subjects ('Ellos guardan cama'), but the word 'cama' remains singular because each person is 'observing bed' as a concept.

No. For normal sleep, use 'dormir' or 'ir a la cama'. 'Guardar cama' is specifically for medical rest during the day and night.

In Spain, 'hacer reposo' and 'quedarse en cama' are very common synonyms used alongside 'guardar cama'.

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writing

Explain to your boss in Spanish that you cannot come to work because the doctor told you to stay in bed for two days.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.