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perder peso

B1 verb #4,000 most common 12 min read

perder peso

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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips perder peso in 30 Seconds

Explanation perder peso in your Level:

At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn basic verbs and nouns. 'Perder peso' is a useful phrase to know because it combines the verb 'perder' (to lose) and the noun 'peso' (weight). You might use it in very simple sentences like 'Yo quiero perder peso' (I want to lose weight). At this stage, don't worry too much about complex grammar. Just remember that 'peso' means weight and 'perder' is the action of losing it. You can use it to talk about your basic health goals or why you are eating a salad instead of a burger.

At the A2 level, you should begin to notice that the verb 'perder' is irregular. In the present tense, the 'e' changes to 'ie'. So, you say 'Yo pierdo peso' and 'Él pierde peso'. You can also start using the phrase with simple connectors like 'porque' (because). For example: 'Como muchas verduras porque quiero perder peso' (I eat many vegetables because I want to lose weight). You are also learning the past tense, so you can say 'Perdí peso el mes pasado' (I lost weight last month). This allows you to describe past events and simple routines.

As a B1 learner, you are expected to use 'perder peso' in more diverse contexts. You should be comfortable using it in the present, past, and future tenses. You can also start using it with the subjunctive to express desires or suggestions, such as 'Es bueno que pierdas peso' (It is good that you lose weight). At this level, you should also distinguish between 'perder peso' and 'bajar de peso' and know when to use each. You can participate in conversations about health, diets, and exercise routines, using adverbs like 'rápidamente' or 'saludablemente' to add detail to your sentences.

At the B2 level, you can use 'perder peso' in complex sentence structures and debate its implications. You might discuss the societal pressure to lose weight or the health benefits of different diets. You should be able to use the phrase in the conditional tense ('Perdería peso si tuviera más tiempo para el gimnasio') and in various perfect tenses. Your vocabulary should also include related terms like 'metabolismo', 'índice de masa corporal', and 'nutrición'. You can understand more nuanced texts about health and wellness where this phrase appears frequently.

At the C1 level, you have a high degree of fluency and can use 'perder peso' in professional and academic settings. You might analyze the 'pérdida de peso' (the noun form) as a clinical symptom or a sociological phenomenon. You are aware of the subtle differences in register and can switch between 'perder peso', 'adelgazar', and 'reducción ponderal' depending on the audience. You can also use the phrase in idiomatic ways or within complex rhetorical structures. Your understanding of the cultural sensitivity surrounding weight loss in different Spanish-speaking countries is well-developed.

At the C2 level, you use 'perder peso' with the same ease as a native speaker. You can use it in highly technical medical discussions, sophisticated literary contexts, or fast-paced colloquial debates. You understand all the connotations, from the empathetic to the critical. You can effortlessly integrate the phrase into complex grammatical structures, such as long hypothetical sentences or nuanced expressions of doubt and certainty. You are also familiar with regional slang and archaic terms related to weight loss across the entire Hispanosphere.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

perder peso in 30 Seconds

To reduce body mass through diet, exercise, or health changes.
Commonly used in medical, fitness, and social contexts regarding slimming down.
An irregular verb phrase (perder is e->ie) followed by the noun 'peso'.
Synonymous with 'bajar de peso' and 'adelgazar' in most Spanish-speaking regions.

The phrase perder peso is a fundamental verbal expression in Spanish that translates directly to 'to lose weight' in English. It consists of the verb perder (to lose) and the noun peso (weight). In the context of health, fitness, and biology, it refers to the reduction of total body mass, typically due to a loss of fluid, body fat, or adipose tissue and/or lean mass. This expression is ubiquitous across the Spanish-speaking world, used in medical consultations, fitness centers, social conversations, and the media. Understanding its usage is crucial for B1 learners because it bridges the gap between basic physical descriptions and more complex health-related discussions.

Medical Context: Doctors use perder peso when discussing a patient's health trajectory, whether it is an intentional goal for obesity management or an unintentional symptom of an underlying condition. For example, a physician might ask, '¿Ha notado si ha empezado a perder peso sin causa aparente?' (Have you noticed if you have started to lose weight without an apparent cause?).

Es importante perder peso de manera gradual y saludable para evitar el efecto rebote.

Fitness and Lifestyle: In the realm of sports and dieting, the phrase is the standard way to express the goal of slimming down. It is often paired with methods such as 'hacer dieta' (to go on a diet) or 'hacer ejercicio' (to exercise). It is less clinical than adelgazar but more formal than some colloquial regionalisms.

Socially, the phrase can be sensitive. Depending on the culture, commenting on someone's weight loss can be seen as a compliment or an intrusive remark. In many Spanish-speaking cultures, however, physical appearance is often discussed more openly than in some English-speaking cultures. You might hear a relative say, '¡Te veo muy bien, parece que has perdido peso!' (You look great, it looks like you've lost weight!).

Si quieres perder peso, deberías reducir el consumo de azúcares procesados.

Grammatical Structure: The verb perder is an e-to-ie stem-changing verb. This means in the present tense, the 'e' changes to 'ie' in all forms except nosotros and vosotros. For example: Yo pierdo peso, Tú pierdes peso, Él pierde peso, but Nosotros perdemos peso.

Muchos atletas necesitan perder peso rápidamente antes de una competición de boxeo.

No es saludable perder peso sin supervisión médica si tienes una condición previa.

Finally, it is worth noting that perder peso is often used in the infinitive after modal verbs like querer (to want), necesitar (to need), or deber (should). This makes it a very accessible phrase for B1 learners to incorporate into their speech when expressing goals or advice. As you advance, you will see it used in complex tenses like the present perfect (He perdido peso) or the subjunctive (Espero que pierdas peso), which are essential for nuanced communication about health and personal progress.

Using perder peso correctly requires a solid grasp of the verb perder and its various conjugations, as well as an understanding of the prepositions and adverbs that typically accompany it. Because 'perder' is an irregular verb, learners must be careful with the stem changes. Furthermore, the phrase can be used in different registers, from the very formal medical setting to the informal gym environment. Below, we explore the syntactic structures and common patterns that will help you master this expression in everyday Spanish.

The Present Tense (Stem-Changing): As mentioned, 'perder' changes from 'e' to 'ie'. Example: 'Yo pierdo peso cuando corro todos los días'. This shows a habitual action. Note that the object 'peso' never changes; it is the verb that carries the grammatical information of person and tense.

¿Tú pierdes peso fácilmente o te cuesta mucho trabajo?

Using Prepositions: 'Para' and 'Por': We use para to express the purpose of an action: 'Hago ejercicio para perder peso'. We use por to express the cause or reason: 'Está preocupado por perder peso tan rápido' (He is worried about losing weight so fast). Distinguishing these two is a key B1 skill.

Ella cambió su dieta para perder peso antes de su boda.

When using the past tense, the preterite perdí, perdiste, perdió, etc., is used for completed actions. 'El año pasado perdí cinco kilos'. If you are describing a process in the past without a specific end, use the imperfect: 'Cuando era joven, perdía peso sin intentarlo'. This distinction is vital for narrative flow in Spanish.

Desde que empecé a caminar al trabajo, he perdido peso de forma natural.

Combining with Adverbs: You can modify the intensity of the action with adverbs like rápidamente (quickly), lentamente (slowly), drásticamente (drastically), or saludablemente (healthily). For example: 'Es mejor perder peso lentamente'.

No deberías intentar perder peso demasiado rápido porque puede ser peligroso.

Si dejas de comer pan, es probable que pierdas peso en las primeras semanas.

In the future tense, you might say 'El próximo mes perderé peso' or use the 'ir + a + infinitive' construction: 'Voy a perder peso'. The latter is much more common in spoken Spanish and is a great tool for B1 learners to express their intentions and resolutions.

The phrase perder peso is deeply integrated into the daily life of Spanish speakers. You will encounter it in a variety of settings, each with its own flavor and secondary vocabulary. From the clinical atmosphere of a hospital to the high-energy environment of a CrossFit gym, this phrase is a constant. Understanding these contexts will help you recognize the phrase and use it appropriately depending on who you are talking to.

In the Media and Advertising: Commercials for diet products, gyms, and health apps frequently use 'perder peso' as their primary hook. You will see headlines like 'Diez consejos para perder peso este verano' in magazines or 'La mejor app para perder peso' in digital ads. It is the marketing standard for weight loss.

¿Buscas una forma efectiva de perder peso sin pasar hambre?

At the Gym (El Gimnasio): Trainers often ask clients about their goals. A typical response would be 'Mi meta principal es perder peso y tonificar'. Here, it is often associated with 'quemar calorías' (to burn calories) and 'entrenamiento cardiovascular' (cardio training).

El entrenador me dijo que para perder peso necesito hacer más cardio.

In family gatherings, weight is often a topic of conversation, sometimes to a degree that might surprise English speakers. Grandmothers might comment on a grandchild's weight loss with concern ('¡Has perdido peso, come más!'), or friends might discuss their latest diet trends during lunch. It's a common topic for 'sobremesa' (the conversation after a meal).

Mi tía siempre me dice que he perdido peso cada vez que la visito.

Medical Consultations: In a clinical setting, 'perder peso' is used objectively. Doctors monitor 'pérdida de peso' (weight loss - the noun form) as a clinical sign. They might say, 'Es necesario que empiece a perder peso para mejorar su presión arterial'.

El médico me recomendó perder peso para reducir el riesgo de diabetes.

No es normal perder peso sin haber cambiado tus hábitos alimenticios.

Finally, you will hear it in podcasts and YouTube videos about 'bienestar' (wellness). Influencers often share their 'viaje para perder peso' (weight loss journey), focusing on the emotional and physical challenges involved. This modern context has made the phrase even more common in the digital lexicon of younger generations.

Even though perder peso seems straightforward, English speakers often make several common errors when translating from their native language or applying Spanish grammar rules. These mistakes can range from using the wrong preposition to confusing similar-sounding verbs. Identifying these pitfalls early will help you sound more natural and avoid confusion during conversations about health and fitness.

Mistake 1: Using 'Perder de Peso': Many learners confuse 'perder peso' with the alternative phrase 'bajar de peso'. While 'bajar' requires the preposition 'de', 'perder' does not. Incorrect: 'Quiero perder de peso'. Correct: 'Quiero perder peso'. This is perhaps the most frequent error for B1 students.

Recuerda: se dice 'bajar DE peso' pero simplemente 'perder peso'.

Mistake 2: Making it Reflexive: In Spanish, many verbs related to the body are reflexive (like lavarse or vestirse). Learners often mistakenly say 'Me perdí peso'. However, 'perder' is not reflexive in this context. The weight is the direct object of the verb. Correct: 'Perdí peso'.

No digas 'me pierdo peso'; lo correcto es decir 'estoy intentando perder peso'.

Another common issue is the stem change in the present tense. Because 'perder' is a B1-level irregular verb, students often forget to change the 'e' to 'ie' in the singular forms and the third-person plural. Saying 'él perde peso' instead of 'él pierde peso' is a clear indicator of a learner who hasn't fully internalized the stem-changing rules.

Mucha gente pierde peso (no 'perde') durante el verano debido al calor.

Mistake 3: Confusing 'Perder' with 'Faltar': Sometimes learners want to say they 'lack' weight or need to lose a certain amount and use 'faltar' incorrectly. While 'me faltan cinco kilos' can mean 'I have five kilos left to lose', it is not a substitute for the action of losing weight itself.

Si tu objetivo es la salud, no te obsesiones solo con perder peso.

Juan perdió peso (no 'perdió de peso') tras meses de entrenamiento intenso.

Lastly, be careful with the article. While 'perder el peso' is technically possible if you are referring to 'the weight' of a specific object, when talking about human body weight, we almost always use the zero article: 'perder peso'. Adding 'el' makes the sentence sound clunky and non-native.

In Spanish, as in English, there are multiple ways to describe the process of becoming thinner or lighter. While perder peso is the most direct translation of 'to lose weight', other terms offer different nuances, registers, and regional preferences. Knowing these alternatives will allow you to vary your vocabulary and understand native speakers more effectively, whether they are being clinical, casual, or poetic.

Adelgazar: This is a very common verb that means 'to get thin' or 'to slim down'. It comes from the adjective 'delgado' (thin). While 'perder peso' focuses on the numerical change on a scale, 'adelgazar' focuses on the physical change in appearance. It is widely used in both Spain and Latin America.

Has adelgazado mucho desde la última vez que te vi.

Bajar de Peso: This is the primary alternative to 'perder peso', especially in Latin America. It literally means 'to go down in weight'. It is very common in spoken language. Note the mandatory use of the preposition 'de'. You cannot say 'bajar peso'.

Mi primo necesita bajar de peso por motivos de salud.

Other more specific terms include estilizarse, which means to become more slender or stylized in figure, often used in fashion or aesthetic contexts. There is also quedarse en los huesos (to become skin and bones), which is an idiomatic expression used when someone has lost an excessive or unhealthy amount of weight.

Después de la enfermedad, se quedó en los huesos; tiene que recuperar peso.

Quemar Grasa: In the fitness world, people often say 'quemar grasa' (to burn fat) instead of 'perder peso'. This is more specific and often the actual goal of athletes who want to maintain muscle while losing adipose tissue.

Este ejercicio es excelente para quemar grasa abdominal.

Es posible perder peso sin perder volumen si ganas músculo.

Finally, in very formal or medical contexts, you might hear reducción ponderal. This is a technical term for weight reduction. While you won't use it in the street, you might see it in a medical report or a scientific article about nutrition. Understanding these variations helps you navigate all levels of Spanish society.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word 'peso' is also the name of the currency in many Latin American countries, originally referring to a specific weight of gold or silver.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /peɾˈðeɾ ˈpeso/

US /peɾˈðer ˈpeso/

The stress is on the second syllable of 'perder' (der) and the first syllable of 'peso' (pe).

Rhymes With

beber comer querer beso queso proceso suceso tieso

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'd' too hard like an English 'd'.
Adding a 'w' sound to the 'o' in 'peso' (making it sound like 'pes-oh').
Aspirating the 'p' sounds.
Failing to tap the 'r' in 'perder'.
Stressing the wrong syllables.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 2/5

Easy to recognize as it is a direct translation.

Writing 3/5

Requires knowledge of the stem-changing verb 'perder'.

Speaking 3/5

Need to remember the 'ie' change in the present tense.

Listening 2/5

Clear pronunciation, usually easy to catch.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

perder peso cuerpo comida salud

Learn Next

adelgazar mantenerse en forma entrenar nutrición caloría

Advanced

metabolismo basal índice de masa corporal trastorno alimenticio sedentarismo

Grammar to Know

Stem-changing verbs (e -> ie)

Yo pierdo peso, tú pierdes peso.

Infinitive after modal verbs

Debo perder peso.

Subjunctive for recommendations

Te recomiendo que pierdas peso.

Prepositions with verbs

Bajar DE peso vs Perder peso (no prep).

Gerund for ongoing actions

Estoy perdiendo peso.

Examples by Level

Yo quiero perder peso.

I want to lose weight.

Uses the modal verb 'querer' followed by the infinitive.

¿Tú quieres perder peso?

Do you want to lose weight?

Simple question structure in Spanish.

Ella necesita perder peso.

She needs to lose weight.

Uses 'necesitar' + infinitive.

No quiero perder peso.

I don't want to lose weight.

Negative sentence with 'no' before the verb.

Él corre para perder peso.

He runs to lose weight.

'Para' indicates purpose.

Ellos pierden peso.

They lose weight.

Present tense, third person plural.

Mi amigo pierde peso.

My friend loses weight.

Stem change 'e' to 'ie' in 'pierde'.

Comer fruta ayuda a perder peso.

Eating fruit helps to lose weight.

Infinitive as a subject and object.

El año pasado perdí peso.

Last year I lost weight.

Preterite tense for a completed action.

¿Cómo perdiste peso?

How did you lose weight?

Question in the preterite tense.

Estamos perdiendo peso con esta dieta.

We are losing weight with this diet.

Present continuous with 'estar' + gerund.

Si caminas mucho, vas a perder peso.

If you walk a lot, you are going to lose weight.

Future with 'ir a'.

Ella perdía peso cuando hacía natación.

She used to lose weight when she did swimming.

Imperfect tense for habitual past actions.

No es fácil perder peso rápido.

It is not easy to lose weight fast.

Infinitive used as the subject of the sentence.

Mi perro perdió peso porque está enfermo.

My dog lost weight because he is sick.

Using 'porque' to explain a cause.

Quiero perder peso antes de la fiesta.

I want to lose weight before the party.

Preposition 'antes de' + noun.

Es importante que pierdas peso por tu salud.

It is important that you lose weight for your health.

Present subjunctive after an impersonal expression.

He perdido peso sin darme cuenta.

I have lost weight without realizing it.

Present perfect tense.

Si comieras menos dulces, perderías peso.

If you ate fewer sweets, you would lose weight.

Second conditional (si + imperfect subjunctive + conditional).

Dudo que él pierda peso sin hacer ejercicio.

I doubt that he will lose weight without exercising.

Subjunctive after a verb of doubt.

Había perdido peso antes de empezar el gimnasio.

I had lost weight before starting the gym.

Past perfect (pluperfect) tense.

Para perder peso, hay que ser constante.

To lose weight, one must be consistent.

'Hay que' + infinitive for general necessity.

Me alegra que hayas perdido peso.

I'm glad that you have lost weight.

Present perfect subjunctive after an emotion.

Sigue las instrucciones para perder peso de forma segura.

Follow the instructions to lose weight safely.

Imperative mood followed by purpose.

Aunque pierda peso, sigo sintiéndome cansado.

Even though I lose weight, I still feel tired.

Concessive clause with 'aunque' + subjunctive.

La clave para perder peso no es dejar de comer.

The key to losing weight is not to stop eating.

Noun phrase followed by infinitive.

Habrá perdido peso para cuando llegue el verano.

He will have lost weight by the time summer arrives.

Future perfect tense.

Se recomienda perder peso gradualmente.

It is recommended to lose weight gradually.

Passive 'se' construction.

A pesar de perder peso, su salud no mejoró.

Despite losing weight, his health did not improve.

'A pesar de' + infinitive.

Perdería peso más rápido si no tuviera tanto estrés.

I would lose weight faster if I didn't have so much stress.

Conditional sentence with stress as a factor.

Nadie creía que ella pudiera perder peso tan rápido.

Nobody believed that she could lose weight so fast.

Imperfect subjunctive after a past verb of belief in the negative.

El objetivo de la campaña es ayudar a perder peso.

The goal of the campaign is to help lose weight.

Complex subject with a prepositional phrase.

La dificultad para perder peso a menudo tiene raíces metabólicas.

The difficulty in losing weight often has metabolic roots.

Academic structure using 'raíces' metaphorically.

Hubiera perdido peso si hubiera seguido el plan al pie de la letra.

I would have lost weight if I had followed the plan to the letter.

Third conditional (past unreal condition).

No se trata solo de perder peso, sino de ganar calidad de vida.

It's not just about losing weight, but about gaining quality of life.

Correlative conjunction 'no solo... sino...'.

Es imperativo que la sociedad deje de presionar a la gente para perder peso.

It is imperative that society stops pressuring people to lose weight.

Formal impersonal expression with subjunctive.

Cualquier persona que desee perder peso debe consultar a un profesional.

Anyone who wishes to lose weight should consult a professional.

Relative clause with 'desee' in the subjunctive.

El paciente ha manifestado una incapacidad para perder peso a pesar del déficit calórico.

The patient has manifested an inability to lose weight despite the caloric deficit.

Formal medical register.

Por mucho que intente perder peso, su genética se lo impide.

No matter how much he tries to lose weight, his genetics prevent it.

'Por mucho que' + subjunctive.

La obsesión por perder peso puede derivar en trastornos alimenticios.

The obsession with losing weight can lead to eating disorders.

Causal relationship expressed with 'derivar en'.

La industria de las dietas lucra con la inseguridad de quienes anhelan perder peso.

The diet industry profits from the insecurity of those who yearn to lose weight.

Sophisticated vocabulary like 'lucra' and 'anhelan'.

Resulta paradójico que, buscando perder peso, muchos acaben perjudicando su salud.

It is paradoxical that, seeking to lose weight, many end up harming their health.

Impersonal 'resulta' + gerund construction.

No por mucho madrugar se pierde peso más temprano.

Waking up early doesn't necessarily mean you'll lose weight sooner (idiomatic play).

A play on the Spanish proverb 'No por mucho madrugar amanece más temprano'.

La pérdida ponderal es un indicador clave en la evaluación geriátrica.

Weight loss is a key indicator in geriatric evaluation.

Use of the technical adjective 'ponderal'.

Aun cuando lograra perder peso, la dismorfia corporal persistiría.

Even if they managed to lose weight, the body dysmorphia would persist.

Concessive 'aun cuando' + subjunctive.

Se ha de perder peso con mesura y conocimiento de causa.

Weight must be lost with moderation and full knowledge of the facts.

Formal 'haber de + infinitive' construction.

La premura por perder peso suele ser la antesala del fracaso dietético.

The haste to lose weight is usually the prelude to dietary failure.

Metaphorical use of 'antesala'.

Bajo ningún concepto se debe perder peso mediante métodos que comprometan la integridad física.

Under no circumstances should weight be lost through methods that compromise physical integrity.

Strong negative restriction 'bajo ningún concepto'.

Common Collocations

intentar perder peso

lograr perder peso

necesitar perder peso

perder peso rápidamente

perder peso saludablemente

perder peso sin esfuerzo

perder peso por salud

perder peso de forma natural

perder peso gradualmente

perder peso excesivo

Common Phrases

pérdida de peso

— The noun form: weight loss. Used in medical and news contexts.

La pérdida de peso fue repentina.

dieta para perder peso

— A diet specifically designed for weight loss.

Busco una buena dieta para perder peso.

ejercicios para perder peso

— Workouts aimed at reducing weight.

Hago ejercicios para perder peso tres veces por semana.

pastillas para perder peso

— Weight loss pills or supplements.

No confío en las pastillas para perder peso.

trucos para perder peso

— Tips or hacks to lose weight.

Dime tus trucos para perder peso.

perder peso de golpe

— To lose weight all at once or very suddenly.

Perdió peso de golpe tras la operación.

perder peso a largo plazo

— To lose weight over a long period sustainably.

Mi meta es perder peso a largo plazo.

perder peso tras el embarazo

— To lose weight after pregnancy.

Es difícil perder peso tras el embarazo.

perder peso por estrés

— To lose weight due to stress.

Muchos estudiantes pierden peso por estrés en exámenes.

perder peso sin causa

— To lose weight without an obvious reason.

Si pierdes peso sin causa, ve al médico.

Often Confused With

perder peso vs bajar de peso

They mean the same, but 'bajar' needs 'de' and 'perder' does not.

perder peso vs perder el peso

Adding 'el' changes the meaning to losing a specific weight of an object.

perder peso vs perderse

The reflexive form means 'to get lost', not to lose weight.

Idioms & Expressions

"quedarse en los huesos"

— To become extremely thin, literally 'to stay in the bones'.

Después de la gripe, se quedó en los huesos.

informal

"estar como un fideo"

— To be as thin as a noodle.

Tu hermano está como un fideo desde que corre maratones.

informal

"perder el norte"

— While not about weight, 'perder' is used here to mean 'to lose one's way' or 'lose focus'.

Con tantas dietas, ha perdido el norte.

informal

"no pesarle a uno los años"

— To look young for one's age, literally 'the years don't weigh on you'.

A mi abuela no le pesan los años.

informal

"quitarse un peso de encima"

— To get a weight off one's chest (metaphorical).

Al terminar el examen, me quité un peso de encima.

informal

"valer su peso en oro"

— To be worth one's weight in gold.

Esa enfermera vale su peso en oro.

neutral

"caer por su propio peso"

— To be obvious or self-evident.

La verdad cae por su propio peso.

neutral

"tener peso"

— To have influence or importance.

Su opinión tiene mucho peso en la empresa.

neutral

"estar en su peso"

— To be at one's ideal weight.

El médico dice que ya estoy en mi peso.

neutral

"perder los papeles"

— To lose one's temper/cool (uses 'perder').

Perdió los papeles cuando le dijeron que no podía comer postre.

informal

Easily Confused

perder peso vs paso

Sounds like 'peso'.

'Paso' is a step; 'peso' is weight. 'Perder el paso' means to lose one's rhythm.

Dio un paso hacia la báscula para ver su peso.

perder peso vs piso

Vowel similarity.

'Piso' is floor or apartment. You don't lose your floor!

El peso de la báscula está en el piso.

perder peso vs pesar

Related root.

'Pesar' is the verb 'to weigh'. 'Perder' is 'to lose'.

Me voy a pesar para ver si he perdido peso.

perder peso vs pésimo

Sound similarity.

'Pésimo' means awful. Losing weight isn't necessarily awful!

Tengo un humor pésimo porque quiero perder peso.

perder peso vs preso

Sound similarity.

'Preso' means prisoner. Don't confuse weight with a prisoner.

El preso ha perdido mucho peso en la cárcel.

Sentence Patterns

Quiero + perder peso

Quiero perder peso.

Verbo conjugado + para + perder peso

Corro para perder peso.

Es importante que + presente subjuntivo

Es importante que pierdas peso.

Si + imperfecto subjuntivo + condicional

Si hiciera dieta, perdería peso.

A pesar de + infinitivo

A pesar de perder peso, no está sano.

Por mucho que + subjuntivo

Por mucho que intente perder peso, no puede.

Haber de + infinitivo

Se ha de perder peso con cuidado.

Resulta + adjetivo + infinitivo

Resulta difícil perder peso a su edad.

Word Family

Nouns

pérdida (loss)

peso (weight)

pesaje (weighing)

pesadez (heaviness)

Verbs

perder (to lose)

pesar (to weigh)

repesar (to reweigh)

Adjectives

perdido (lost)

pesado (heavy)

pesante (weighing)

adelgazamiento

báscula

balanza

dieta

nutrición

How to Use It

frequency

Very high in daily speech and media.

Common Mistakes

Quiero perder de peso. → Quiero perder peso.
You should not use the preposition 'de' with the verb 'perder'. This is a confusion with 'bajar de peso'.
Él perde peso. → Él pierde peso.
The verb 'perder' is a stem-changing verb where 'e' changes to 'ie' in the present tense.
Me perdí peso el mes pasado. → Perdí peso el mes pasado.
'Perder peso' is not a reflexive action. Using 'me' changes the meaning to 'I got lost'.
Estoy perdiendo el peso. → Estoy perdiendo peso.
In Spanish, we generally omit the definite article when talking about losing weight in general.
Espero que tú perdes peso. → Espero que tú pierdas peso.
In the subjunctive mood, the stem change 'e' to 'ie' is maintained.

Tips

Stem Change Alert

Remember the 'e' to 'ie' change in 'perder'. Practice saying 'pierdo peso' several times to build muscle memory.

Synonym Swap

Try using 'adelgazar' in your writing to sound more advanced and avoid repeating 'perder peso' too much.

Social Context

In Spain and Latin America, don't be shocked if people comment on your weight; it's usually just small talk.

No Preposition

Never put 'de' after 'perder'. It's 'perder peso', not 'perder de peso'. Keep it simple!

Tap the R

The 'r' in 'perder' is a single tap. Don't roll it too much, or it will sound like a different word.

Context Clues

If you hear 'bajar', expect 'de peso'. If you hear 'perder', expect just 'peso'.

Noun vs Verb

Use 'pérdida' (noun) for titles or medical descriptions and 'perder' (verb) for actions.

Related Verbs

Learn 'hacer dieta' and 'hacer ejercicio' alongside 'perder peso' to complete your health vocabulary.

Reflexive Trap

Avoid 'me pierdo peso'. It sounds like you are lost in the woods with your weight!

Advanced Tip

Use 'reducción ponderal' in formal essays to impress your teachers with your academic Spanish.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'PErson' losing 'PEso'. The double 'PE' helps you remember the phrase 'PErder PEso'.

Visual Association

Imagine a scale (peso) where the numbers are falling off and getting 'lost' (perder) on the floor.

Word Web

Gimnasio Salud Dieta Kilos Báscula Calorías Nutricionista Sudor

Challenge

Try to write three sentences about a famous athlete who had to lose weight for a competition using 'perder peso'.

Word Origin

From Latin 'perdere' (to destroy, to lose) and 'pensum' (something weighed).

Original meaning: The combination literally means 'to lose the weight'.

Romance (Latin-based).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using this phrase in social settings to avoid offending people who might be sensitive about their body image.

In English-speaking cultures, commenting on weight loss can be tricky; it is usually safer to wait for the person to mention it first.

The TV show 'Cuestión de Peso' (popular in Argentina and other countries). Songs about physical transformation in Pop Latino. Health campaigns by the Spanish Ministry of Health.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Doctor's Office

¿Necesito perder peso?
He perdido peso sin motivo.
¿Cuál es la mejor forma de perder peso?
¿Es peligroso perder peso tan rápido?

Gym

Quiero perder peso y ganar músculo.
¿Este ejercicio sirve para perder peso?
He venido aquí para perder peso.
Llevo un mes intentando perder peso.

Social Gathering

¡Has perdido peso!
Estoy a dieta porque quiero perder peso.
No puedo comer eso, estoy intentando perder peso.
¿Cómo has hecho para perder peso?

Pharmacy

¿Tienen algo para ayudar a perder peso?
Busco un suplemento para perder peso.
¿Estas pastillas para perder peso tienen efectos secundarios?
Recomiéndeme algo natural para perder peso.

News/Media

Nuevos estudios sobre cómo perder peso.
La mejor dieta del año para perder peso.
Famosos que han logrado perder peso.
Riesgos de las dietas milagro para perder peso.

Conversation Starters

"¿Crees que es más difícil perder peso en invierno o en verano?"

"¿Alguna vez has intentado perder peso para un evento especial?"

"¿Cuál es el mejor consejo que has recibido para perder peso?"

"¿Qué opinas de las aplicaciones móviles para perder peso?"

"¿Conoces a alguien que haya logrado perder peso de forma impresionante?"

Journal Prompts

Escribe sobre tus metas de salud para este año y si perder peso es una de ellas.

Describe una dieta famosa que conozcas para perder peso y da tu opinión.

Reflexiona sobre cómo la sociedad nos presiona para perder peso constantemente.

Escribe una carta a un amigo dándole ánimos porque quiere perder peso.

Imagina que eres un nutricionista y escribe cinco consejos para perder peso saludablemente.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Se dice 'perder peso'. También puedes decir 'bajar de peso' o 'adelgazar'. 'Perder peso' es muy común y se entiende en todos los países hispanohablantes.

No, no es reflexivo. Debes decir 'Yo pierdo peso', no 'Yo me pierdo peso'. Si usas el reflexivo 'me pierdo', significa 'I get lost'.

Significan lo mismo. La única diferencia gramatical es que 'bajar' requiere la preposición 'de' (bajar de peso), mientras que 'perder' se usa solo (perder peso).

Es un verbo con cambio de raíz: yo pierdo, tú pierdes, él pierde, nosotros perdemos, vosotros perdéis, ellos pierden. El cambio 'e' a 'ie' ocurre en todas las personas menos nosotros y vosotros.

Generalmente se usa para personas o animales. Para objetos, solemos decir que 'pesan menos' o que han perdido 'masa'. No es común usarlo para maletas o carga.

No, es incorrecto. Es un error muy común por confusión con 'bajar de peso'. Simplemente di 'perder peso'.

Es el sustantivo (the noun). Se usa para hablar del concepto en general, como en 'La pérdida de peso es un síntoma de esa enfermedad'.

Puedes decir 'Estoy perdiendo peso' usando el gerundio del verbo perder.

No necesariamente. 'Adelgazar' es muy común y natural. 'Perder peso' suena un poco más clínico o enfocado en los números de la báscula.

Cuando expresas deseos, dudas o recomendaciones. Por ejemplo: 'Espero que pierdas peso' o 'Te aconsejo que pierdas peso'.