mantenerlo
/man-teh-NEHR-loh/
to maintain it
Mantenerlo (to maintain it) means keeping something going, like ensuring a plant stays healthy by watering it.
mantenerlo(Contraction)
to maintain it
?keeping something going
,to keep it
?preserving a state or object
to hold it
?physically or abstractly
📝 In Action
Es difícil mantenerlo limpio con niños pequeños.
B1It is difficult to keep it clean with small children.
Necesitas trabajar duro para mantenerlo en secreto.
B2You need to work hard to keep it a secret.
Intentamos mantenerlo en la misma posición.
B1We tried to maintain it in the same position.
💡 Grammar Points
Verb + Pronoun Together
In Spanish, when the verb is in its base form (infinitive) or the 'ing' form (gerund), the little words like 'lo' (it/him) stick right onto the end of the verb, making a single word like 'mantenerlo'.
Stress Moves
When you attach the pronoun, the stress in the word often shifts. 'Mantener' is stressed on the last syllable, but 'mantenerlo' needs an accent mark (mantenerlo) if it were written to keep the stress where it belongs, though often this rule is flexible in spoken Spanish.
❌ Common Pitfalls
Placing 'lo' separately
Mistake: "Quiero lo mantener."
Correction: Quiero mantenerlo. (When you have two verbs, the pronoun either goes before the first verb or attached to the second one.)
⭐ Usage Tips
Remember the 'Lo'
'Lo' always refers to a masculine singular thing or a general idea. If you were talking about a feminine thing (like 'la casa'), you would say 'mantenerla'.
Mantenerlo (to support him) can refer to physical support, such as helping someone overcome a difficult step.
mantenerlo(Contraction)
to support him
?financially or physically
,to provide for him
?taking care of a person
to sustain him
?keeping someone alive or healthy
📝 In Action
Le prometió a su madre que iba a mantenerlo.
B2He promised his mother that he was going to support him (a relative, perhaps).
Es nuestro deber mantenerlo con vida.
C1It is our duty to keep him alive.
💡 Grammar Points
Referring to People
When 'lo' refers to a person, it means 'him.' This definition often uses 'mantenerlo' to mean 'support him' (financially) or 'keep him alive,' especially when discussing family obligations.
⭐ Usage Tips
Context is Key
In financial contexts, 'mantenerlo' is usually about money. In survival contexts, it's about life. The general meaning 'to keep it' is the most common, but this 'support' meaning is important for higher-level conversation.
✏️ Quick Practice
💡 Quick Quiz: mantenerlo
Question 1 of 2
Which English phrase best captures the meaning of 'Tenemos que mantenerlo' when referring to a difficult relationship?
📚 More Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is 'mantenerlo' one word instead of two?
When the main verb is in its base form (infinitive), the little object pronouns like 'lo' (it/him) must attach directly to the end of the verb, forming a single, longer word.
Can I use 'mantener' with other pronouns, like 'la' or 'los'?
Absolutely! If you are talking about keeping a feminine thing (like 'la promesa'), you would say 'mantenerla.' If you are keeping several things, you would use 'mantenerlos' or 'mantenerlas.'