Perder: lose or miss

The idea

Say pierdo and pierde, but perdemos retains e in the present tense.

Examples

• Pierdo las llaves con frecuencia.I often lose my keys.
• Ana pierde el autobús por llegar tarde.Ana misses the bus because she arrives late.
• Perdemos tiempo en el camino.We lose time on the way.
• Los viajeros pierden sus billetes.The travelers lose their tickets.
• ¿Pierdes el tren si sales tarde?Do you miss the train if you leave late?
• Mi hermano pierde su cartera.My brother loses his wallet.

Watch out

Perder el tren means to miss the train, not to misplace the vehicle.

Try it yourself

1. Choose the present form for yo: Yo ___ las llaves. (pierdo / perdo)

   Show answer or example answer

   pierdo

   Yo uses pierdo, with e changing to ie in the stem.

2. Choose the present form for nosotros: Nosotros ___ tiempo. (perdemos / pierdemos)

   Show answer or example answer

   perdemos

   Nosotros uses perdemos without the stem change.

3. Choose the action that fits the situation: Llego después de la salida y el tren ya se fue: lo ___. (pierdo / encuentro)

   Show answer or example answer

   pierdo

   The train has departed, so lo pierdo means I miss it.

Use it today

Describe something you lose and explain why you might miss a bus.