How to Say Still in Spanish: A Complete Guide to Using Todavía and Beyond
Learning a new language often means grappling with words that carry multiple meanings, and "still" is one of the trickiest English words to translate into Spanish. Depending on the context, "still" can express continuity, surprise, patience, or even physical motionlessness. Day to day, in Spanish, the most common translation is "todavía," but that is far from the only option. This guide will walk you through every way to say "still" in Spanish, provide clear examples, and help you understand when and why to use each variation. By the end, you will feel confident using these expressions in real conversations That alone is useful..
Understanding the Many Faces of "Still"
Before diving into translations, it helps to recognize that English uses "still" in several distinct ways:
- Continuity: "I still live in Madrid." (Something that continues to be true)
- Persistence despite delay: "I'm still waiting for my package." (Ongoing action that has not finished)
- Surprise or contradiction: "Still, I don't believe it." (Used to express a contrasting thought)
- Motionlessness: "The water is still." (Calm, not moving)
- As a verb: "She stilled the crowd." (To calm or silence)
Each of these meanings maps onto different Spanish words and structures. Let's explore them one by one.
Todavía — The Primary Translation for "Still"
When most English speakers think of translating "still" into Spanish, "todavía" is the word that comes to mind. It is an adverb that conveys the idea of something continuing up to the present moment or beyond expectations.
Using Todavía to Express Continuity
When you want to say that a situation has not changed and remains true, "todavía" sits naturally before or after the verb.
- Yo todavía vivo en Barcelona. — I still live in Barcelona.
- Ella todavía trabaja en la misma empresa. — She still works at the same company.
- ¿Todavía necesitas ayuda? — Do you still need help?
Notice that in Spanish, "todavía" is flexible in sentence position. Placing it before the verb tends to make clear the continuity, while placing it after can feel slightly more conversational. Both are grammatically correct and widely used across all Spanish-speaking regions That's the whole idea..
Using Todavía No — "Still Not"
One of the most frequently heard phrases in everyday Spanish is "todavía no," which translates directly to "still not." This construction expresses that something has not happened yet but is expected to happen.
- Todavía no he terminado mi tarea. — I still haven't finished my homework.
- Todavía no ha llegado el autobús. — The bus still hasn't arrived.
- Todavía no sé la respuesta. — I still don't know the answer.
The combination of "todavía" and "no" creates a powerful nuance: it communicates patience and the expectation that the situation will eventually change. This is a structure you will hear constantly in conversations, movies, and songs throughout the Spanish-speaking world And that's really what it comes down to..
Using Todavía Before a Verb for Emphasis
In some cases, placing "todavía" directly before a conjugated verb adds emotional weight, suggesting that the speaker is surprised or impressed that the action continues.
- ¿Todavía te acuerdas de mí? — Do you still remember me?
- Él todavía puede correr muy rápido. — He can still run very fast.
This usage carries a subtle undertone of amazement. When someone says "¿Todavía te acuerdas de mí?" they are not just asking if you remember — they are expressing a kind of joyful disbelief that the memory persists.
Todavía + Infinitive — "Still to Go" or "Still to Do"
Another important structure uses "todavía" followed by an infinitive to describe something that remains to be done. This is especially useful when discussing plans, tasks, or remaining distance.
- Todavía por hacer — Still to do
- Todavía por llegar — Still to arrive
- Quedan dos horas más por estudiar — There are two more hours left to study
This structure is common in both spoken and written Spanish and gives your speech a sense of forward momentum and planning Simple, but easy to overlook..
Estar Quieto or Inmóvil — "Still" as Motionlessness
When "still" describes something that is not moving — like calm water, a frozen statue, or a quiet room — "todavía" is no longer the right word. Instead, Spanish speakers use adjectives that describe the state of being motionless Worth keeping that in mind..
- Quieto / Quieta — Still (not moving). El lago estaba quieto al amanecer. — The lake was still at dawn.
- Inmóvil — Immobile, motionless. La figura permanecía inmóvil. — The figure remained still.
- Tranquilo / Tranquila — Still, calm, tranquil. El mar estaba tranquilo. — The sea was still.
These words are essential for descriptive writing and conversation. If you are talking about a peaceful scene, using "quieto" or "tranquilo" paints a vivid picture in the listener's mind Which is the point..
Calmar or Silenciar — "Still" as a Verb
In English, "still" can function as a verb meaning to calm, quiet, or suppress something. In Spanish, this meaning is expressed with completely different verbs.
- Calmar — To calm, to still. El médico necesitó calmar al paciente. — The doctor needed to still the patient.
- Silenciar — To silence. El gobierno intentó silenciar las protestas. — The government tried to still the protests.
- Apaciguar — To pacify, appease. El líder trató de apaciguar a la multitud. — The leader tried to still the crowd.
These verbs are more formal and appear frequently in literature, news reporting, and medical contexts. Understanding them gives you access to a richer and more nuanced vocabulary.
Pero and Aun Así — "Still" as a Conjunction of Contrast
Sometimes in English, "still" appears at the beginning of a sentence to introduce a contrasting idea, similar to "nevertheless" or "even so." In Spanish, this function is handled by transitional expressions rather than a single word Took long enough..
- Pero — But, still. Es difícil. Pero, seguiré intentándolo.
...y aunque los obstáculos parezcan insuperables, la determinación nos impulsa a seguir. El uso correcto de estas expresiones no solo enriquece nuestro vocabulario, sino que también nos permite comunicar ideas con mayor precisión y fluidez en cualquier situación Which is the point..
Conclusión
En resumen, el español ofrece múltiples formas de expresar lo que en inglés se traduce como "still" o "yet". Desde la construcción todavía por + infinitivo para indicar tareas pendientes, hasta el adjetivo quieto para describir la inmovilidad física, cada estructura cumple una función específica en el lenguaje cotidiano y literario. Asimismo, los conectores como pero y aun así permiten introducir matices contrastantes, dando profundidad al discurso.
The official docs gloss over this. That's a mistake.
