Perder and perderse are two Spanish verbs that mean "to lose" and "to get lost," respectively. This article explains their meanings, usage, and differences, including reflexive form and common examples.
In Spanish, perder means "to lose" something, while perderse is the reflexive form that usually means "to get lost" or "to miss out" on something. Understanding the difference between these two is key to using them correctly.
- Perder is a regular -er verb that means "to lose."
- Perderse is the reflexive form, often meaning "to get lost" or "to miss something."
- The reflexive pronoun se changes the meaning and usage of the verb.
Perder: to lose
Perder is used when someone loses something, misses a chance, or fails to keep something. It can refer to objects, time, games, or opportunities.
- Puede perder las llaves (She can lose the keys)
- Perdimos el partido (We lost the match)
- No quiero perder el tren (I don’t want to miss the train)
Perderse: to get lost (or to miss out)
Perderse is reflexive and has two main meanings:
- To get lost — when someone doesn’t know where they are or how to find a place.
- To miss out on something — when someone doesn’t attend an event or experience.
Examples:
- Me perdí en el centro (I got lost downtown)
- No quiero perderme la fiesta (I don’t want to miss the party)
Reflexive pronouns with perderse
Since perderse is reflexive, it requires a reflexive pronoun that matches the subject:
- yo → me
- tú → te
- él/ella/usted → se
- nosotros/as → nos
- vosotros/as → os
- ellos/as/ustedes → se
Examples:
- Me perdí (I got lost)
- Nos perdimos (We got lost)
- Se perdió (He/she got lost)
Which reflexive pronoun completes the sentence: '___ perdí en la ciudad' (I got lost in the city)?
Me
'Me' is the reflexive pronoun for 'yo' (I). The others correspond to different subjects (you, he/she, we).
Summary
- Perder = to lose (something) or miss (a chance)
- Perderse = to get lost (reflexive) or miss out on something
- Reflexive pronouns are necessary for perderse
- Context determines whether perderse means "get lost" or "miss out"
Understanding these differences will help you express losing things, missing opportunities, or getting lost with confidence in Spanish.
Why are reflexive pronouns needed with 'perderse'?
Because the action happens to the subject themselves.
Reflexive pronouns show that the subject is both performing and receiving the action (getting lost or missing out).
Last updated: Thu Jun 5, 2025
