Spanish word

permanecer

Pronunciation

IPA/peɾmaneˈθeɾ/

Meaning

  • verbstay

Example

Después de la fiesta, solo permanecieron unos pocos invitados.

After the party, only a few guests stayed.

Illustration for permanecer (stay)

More examples

Durante la protesta, los manifestantes permanecieron en la plaza toda la noche.

During the protest, the protesters stayed in the square all night.

Core concept

Continuing presence in the same location or condition over a period of time.

Common phrases

  • permanecer en silencio

    remain silent

  • permanecer en casa

    stay at home

  • permanecer atento

    remain attentive

Similar words

estar: Be present at a place or in a particular state at a given time.
quedarse: Stay in the same spot without moving, often by personal choice or habit.
quedar: Remain as what is left when others leave or when parts are removed.
mantenerse: Maintain a condition or level over time, often through effort or support.

Definition in Spanish

Mantenerse en un lugar o en un estado sin cambiar ni moverse durante un tiempo.

Word origin

Derived from Latin per 'through' plus manēre 'to stay', through medieval Latin permanescere, so the verb literally means to remain through time.

Usage tips

  • Permanecer is intransitive and commonly appears with en or an adjective (for example, permanecer en silencio or permanecer vigente), so avoid using a direct object after it.

Other meanings

  • lastverb

Opposites

  • irseleaveverb
  • salirgo outverb

Related words

Word lists with this word