Meaning
To remain in bed, often due to illness or rest.
Cultural Background
In Spain, 'quedarse en cama' is often associated with the 'baja médica.' It is socially expected that if you are sick, you stay home completely rather than trying to work remotely. Mexicans often use the diminutive 'camita' to express a sense of 'apapacho' (comfort/cuddling) when someone is staying in bed. In Argentina, 'quedarse en el molde' is a slang phrase that means to stay quiet or not interfere, which is a figurative extension of staying still like one does in bed. The phrase is often paired with the consumption of 'atole' or 'caldo' as part of a holistic recovery process that starts with staying in bed.
The 'La' Secret
Omit the 'la' (quedarse en cama) to sound more like you are talking about a medical state. Include it (quedarse en la cama) for casual lounging.
Reflexive Check
Don't forget to change 'me, te, se'! 'Él se queda', 'Nosotros nos quedamos'.
Meaning
To remain in bed, often due to illness or rest.
The 'La' Secret
Omit the 'la' (quedarse en cama) to sound more like you are talking about a medical state. Include it (quedarse en la cama) for casual lounging.
Reflexive Check
Don't forget to change 'me, te, se'! 'Él se queda', 'Nosotros nos quedamos'.
Doctor's Orders
If a doctor tells you 'Haga cama,' they mean 'Stay in bed strictly.'
Diminutives
Using 'camita' makes you sound much more native and affectionate when talking about rest.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of the reflexive pronoun.
Yo ___ quedo en cama porque tengo fiebre.
The subject is 'Yo,' so the reflexive pronoun must be 'me.'
Which sentence is correct for a doctor giving advice?
El médico dice que...
After 'debes' (you must), we use the infinitive 'quedar' and attach the pronoun 'te.'
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: ¿Por qué no viniste a clase ayer? B: ___________.
The question asks about 'ayer' (yesterday), so we need the preterite tense.
Match the phrase to the situation.
Situation: It's a rainy Sunday and you don't want to get up.
'Me quedo en cama' describes staying in bed for leisure or rest.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Quedarse vs. Irse
Practice Bank
4 exercisesYo ___ quedo en cama porque tengo fiebre.
The subject is 'Yo,' so the reflexive pronoun must be 'me.'
El médico dice que...
After 'debes' (you must), we use the infinitive 'quedar' and attach the pronoun 'te.'
A: ¿Por qué no viniste a clase ayer? B: ___________.
The question asks about 'ayer' (yesterday), so we need the preterite tense.
Situation: It's a rainy Sunday and you don't want to get up.
'Me quedo en cama' describes staying in bed for leisure or rest.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNo, también se usa para descansar o por pereza, especialmente los fines de semana.
'Guardar cama' es más formal y médico. 'Quedarse en cama' es más común y cotidiano.
Sí, es muy común. 'En cama' suena un poco más serio o clínico, mientras que 'en la cama' es más físico.
Se dice 'me quedé en cama' (indefinido) o 'me quedaba en cama' (imperfecto).
Sí, para este significado de 'permanecer,' el verbo debe ser reflexivo: 'quedarse.'
Sí, es una frase universal en todo el mundo hispano.
Es una forma graciosa de decir que te costó mucho levantarte de la cama.
No, para eso solo dices 'quedarse en un hotel.' 'Quedarse en cama' es específico para el mueble.
Puedes decir: 'No me encuentro bien, hoy me quedaré en cama.'
Es femenino: la cama.
Related Phrases
Guardar cama
synonymTo stay in bed (formal/medical)
Acostarse
similarTo go to bed / lie down
Pegarse las sábanas
similarTo oversleep
Hacer la cama
contrastTo make the bed
Estar en cama
similarTo be in bed
