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mantenga

mahn-TEN-gah

VerbB1irregular er

keep?maintain a state or condition,maintain?preserve

Also:hold?keep a position,support?financially or physically

Quick Reference

infinitivemantener

gerundmanteniendo

past Participlemantenido

📝 In Action

Espero que usted mantenga la calma durante la emergencia.

I hope that you (formal) keep calm during the emergency.

El doctor recomienda que mantenga una dieta balanceada.

The doctor recommends that I/he/she/you (formal) maintain a balanced diet.

¡Mantenga la puerta cerrada en todo momento!

Keep the door closed at all times! (Formal command)

Word Connections

Synonyms

conservar (to conserve)
sostener (to hold up, to sustain)

Antonyms

abandonar (to abandon)
soltar (to release)

Common Collocations

mantenga el equilibrio – maintain balance
que lo mantenga limpio – that he/she/you keep it clean

💡 Grammar Points

Dual Role of 'Mantenga'

'Mantenga' is used for two things: 1) The special verb form (subjunctive) for 'yo' (I) and 'él/ella/usted' (he/she/you formal). 2) The formal command for 'usted' (You, formal).

Irregular 'Go' Verb Pattern

The verb 'mantener' follows the same pattern as 'tener' (to have). In the 'yo' form of the present indicative ('yo mantengo') and all of the present subjunctive forms ('mantenga'), it adds a 'g' before the ending.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Confusing Subjunctive vs. Indicative

Mistake: "Using 'Es necesario que él mantiene la promesa.'"

Correction: Use 'Es necesario que él mantenga la promesa.' (It is necessary that he keep the promise.) Spanish uses the special 'mantenga' form after expressions of necessity, desire, or doubt.

⭐ Usage Tips

Formal Commands

When giving a direct, formal instruction to someone you address as 'usted,' use 'mantenga,' such as: 'Mantenga la distancia' (Maintain distance).

🔄 Conjugations

indicative

present

él/ella/ustedmantiene

yomantengo

túmantienes

ellos/ellas/ustedesmantienen

nosotrosmantenemos

vosotrosmantenéis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedmantenía

yomantenía

túmantenías

ellos/ellas/ustedesmantenían

nosotrosmanteníamos

vosotrosmanteníaís

preterite

él/ella/ustedmantuvo

yomantuviste

túmantuviste

ellos/ellas/ustedesmantuvieron

nosotrosmantuvimos

vosotrosmantuvisteis

subjunctive

present

él/ella/ustedmantenga

yomantenga

túmantengas

ellos/ellas/ustedesmantengan

nosotrosmantengamos

vosotrosmantengáis

imperfect

él/ella/ustedmantuviera

yomantuviera

túmantuvieras

ellos/ellas/ustedesmantuvieran

nosotrosmantuviéramos

vosotrosmantuvierais

View All Tenses & Moods →

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: mantenga

Question 1 of 1

Which sentence uses 'mantenga' as a formal command?

📚 More Resources

Word Family

mantener(to maintain, to keep) - verb

mantenimiento(maintenance) - noun

manutención(upkeep, financial support) - noun

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does 'mantener' change to 'mantenga'?

'Mantener' is an irregular verb that follows the pattern of 'tener' (to have). When forming the present subjunctive (the special form used for wishes, doubts, or necessity), it adds a 'g' before the ending, just like 'tener' becomes 'tenga.'

When should I use 'mantenga' versus 'mantiene'?

Use 'mantiene' when you are stating a fact ('He maintains his car well' -> 'Él mantiene su coche bien'). Use 'mantenga' when you are expressing a wish, desire, command, or necessity ('I want him to maintain his car well' -> 'Quiero que él mantenga su coche bien').