Signification
To stay in a sitting position.
Contexte culturel
The 'Sobremesa' is a sacred time. Even if a waiter wants to clear the table, customers will 'permanecer sentados' for an hour or more talking. It is considered rude to rush guests away. In the Mexico City Metro, signs often use formal language to remind younger people to give up their seats, implying that only certain people should 'permanecer sentados' in priority areas. Café culture in Buenos Aires involves 'permanecer sentado' with a single 'cortado' for the entire morning while reading a newspaper or writing. It is a symbol of the city's intellectual life. In formal social gatherings, there is a high degree of 'etiqueta'. Guests often wait for the host to signal it is okay to stand up, 'permaneciendo sentados' as a sign of respect.
The 'Airplane Rule'
If you are in a public place with a microphone, always use 'permanecer'. If you are talking to your dog or your brother, use 'quedarse'.
Gender Agreement
Don't forget to change 'sentado' to 'sentada' if you are a woman or talking to one!
Signification
To stay in a sitting position.
The 'Airplane Rule'
If you are in a public place with a microphone, always use 'permanecer'. If you are talking to your dog or your brother, use 'quedarse'.
Gender Agreement
Don't forget to change 'sentado' to 'sentada' if you are a woman or talking to one!
The Sobremesa
Staying seated after a meal is a sign of a good guest in Spain. Don't rush to leave!
Teste-toi
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'sentado' (sentado, sentada, sentados, sentadas).
Las niñas deben permanecer _______ durante la película.
Since 'las niñas' is feminine and plural, the adjective must be 'sentadas'.
Which is the most appropriate formal command for a group of passengers?
Señores pasajeros, por favor...
'Permanezcan sentados' is the standard formal instruction for public safety.
Match the situation with the most natural phrase.
Situations: 1. Airplane landing, 2. Friend's house, 3. Political protest.
Formal safety uses 'permanezcan', friends use 'quédate', and protests use the concept of 'permanecer' as resistance.
Fill in the missing verb in this formal dialogue.
Enfermera: 'Señor, por favor _______ sentado cinco minutos más.'
The nurse is addressing the man formally (usted), so 'permanezca' is the correct imperative form.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Formal vs. Informal 'Stay Seated'
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesLas niñas deben permanecer _______ durante la película.
Since 'las niñas' is feminine and plural, the adjective must be 'sentadas'.
Señores pasajeros, por favor...
'Permanezcan sentados' is the standard formal instruction for public safety.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
Formal safety uses 'permanezcan', friends use 'quédate', and protests use the concept of 'permanecer' as resistance.
Enfermera: 'Señor, por favor _______ sentado cinco minutos más.'
The nurse is addressing the man formally (usted), so 'permanezca' is the correct imperative form.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsNo, unlike 'quedarse', 'permanecer' is not reflexive. You say 'Yo permanezco', not 'Me permanezco'.
It's a bit formal for a dog. Usually, you would just say 'Quieto' (Stay) or 'Sentado' (Sit).
'Permanecer' is more formal and implies a longer duration or a specific rule. 'Quedarse' is casual and everyday.
You say 'permanecer sentadas'.
Yes, but 'quedarse sentado' is even more dominant in casual Latin American speech than in Spain.
Sometimes 'quedarse sentado' implies someone isn't helping, but 'permanecer sentado' is usually too formal for that insult.
Yes! You can 'permanecer callado' (stay quiet) or 'permanecer fiel' (stay faithful).
Neither. 'Permanecer' acts as the verb itself, replacing 'estar'.
Very common in literature to describe a character's stillness.
No, that would mean 'to remain in the process of sitting down', which is physically impossible to do for long!
Expressions liées
Quedarse sentado
similarTo stay seated (informal)
Tomar asiento
builds onTo take a seat
Ponerse de pie
contrastTo stand up
Estar sentado
similarTo be seated
Mantenerse firme
specialized formTo stand one's ground
