mantener
/man-teh-NEHR/
to keep
The most common meaning of mantener is 'to keep' or 'to maintain' something in a certain state or condition, like keeping a room tidy.
mantener(Verb)
to keep
?in a certain state or condition
,to maintain
?a situation, level, or state
to preserve
?e.g., order, tradition
📝 In Action
Es importante mantener la calma en una emergencia.
A2It's important to keep calm in an emergency.
Intento mantener mi habitación ordenada.
A2I try to keep my room tidy.
Hemos mantenido una buena relación durante años.
B1We have maintained a good relationship for years.
💡 Grammar Points
Irregular 'yo' Form
Just like 'tener' (tengo), the 'yo' form in the present is irregular: 'mantengo'. Many other changes also follow 'tener' (e.g., 'mantuve', 'mantendré').
Keeping a State
This meaning is often followed by a word that describes a state or quality. For example, 'mantener algo limpio' (to keep something clean) or 'mantener la puerta abierta' (to keep the door open).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Using 'Guardar' instead
Mistake: "Guardo la calma."
Correction: Mantengo la calma. Use 'guardar' for putting things away or storing them, not for maintaining a state or condition.
⭐ Usage Tips
Think 'Keep it Going'
Use 'mantener' when you're talking about making sure a situation, feeling, or condition continues without changing.
Use mantener to mean 'to support' or 'to provide for' someone financially, such as supporting a family.
📝 In Action
Él trabaja en dos lugares para mantener a su familia.
B1He works two jobs to support his family.
Le cuesta mucho mantener un apartamento tan grande.
B2It costs him a lot to maintain such a large apartment.
💡 Grammar Points
Supporting People
When you talk about financially supporting a person or people, you need to add the little word 'a'. For example, 'mantener a mis hijos' (to support my children).
In formal contexts, mantener means to assert or maintain an opinion or position, even when challenged.
mantener(Verb)
to maintain
?an opinion, a position
,to assert
?a claim
to hold
?a belief
📝 In Action
El científico mantiene que su teoría es correcta.
B2The scientist maintains that his theory is correct.
A pesar de la evidencia, el acusado mantuvo su inocencia.
C1Despite the evidence, the defendant maintained his innocence.
💡 Grammar Points
Stating a Belief
This use of 'mantener' is almost always followed by 'que' to introduce the belief or statement you are holding onto. For example, 'Mantengo que es la mejor opción' (I maintain that it's the best option).
The reflexive form, mantenerse, means 'to keep oneself' in a certain state, such as staying in shape (mantenerse en forma).
mantener(Reflexive Verb)
to stay
?e.g., in shape, calm
,to remain
?e.g., firm, active
,to keep
?oneself in a certain way
📝 In Action
Para mantenerse en forma, corre todas las mañanas.
B1To stay in shape, he runs every morning.
Me mantuve callado durante la reunión para no causar problemas.
B1I remained quiet during the meeting to not cause problems.
Es difícil mantenerse positivo con tantas malas noticias.
B2It's difficult to stay positive with so much bad news.
💡 Grammar Points
Doing it to Yourself
When 'mantener' has 'se' on the end (mantenerse), it means the action is being done by the person to themselves. 'Mantengo la casa limpia' (I keep the house clean) vs. 'Me mantengo activo' (I keep myself active).
❌ Common Pitfalls
Forgetting the 'se'
Mistake: "Yo mantengo en forma."
Correction: Yo me mantengo en forma. Because you are keeping *yourself* in shape, you need the little word 'me' (or 'te', 'se', etc.) before the verb.
🔄 Conjugations
indicative
present
preterite
imperfect
subjunctive
present
imperfect
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: mantener
Question 1 of 1
Which sentence uses 'mantener' to mean 'to provide for financially'?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between 'mantener' and 'sostener'?
They are very similar and sometimes interchangeable, but there's a slight difference. 'Sostener' often implies physically holding something up from underneath, like 'sostener un libro' (to hold a book) or 'sostener el techo' (to support the roof). 'Mantener' is broader and often means to keep something in a stable position or condition, like 'mantener el equilibrio' (to keep your balance) or 'mantener la puerta cerrada' (to keep the door closed). When talking about opinions, they are almost perfect synonyms.
Why is 'mantener' irregular? How can I remember its forms?
It's irregular because it's built from the verb 'tener' (to have), which is one of Spanish's most common irregular verbs. The best trick is to remember: if you know how to conjugate 'tener', you know how to conjugate 'mantener'. Just add 'man-' to the beginning of the 'tener' forms! For example: tengo -> mantengo, tuve -> mantuve, tendré -> mantendré.