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mantengo

man-TEN-gomanˈtenɡo

“mantengo” means “I keep” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:

I keep, I maintain

Also: I hold
VerbA2irregular (follows a special 'go' pattern in the first person) er
A person holding a heavy wooden door open with their hand and foot to let others pass.
infinitivemantener
past Participlemantenido
gerundmanteniendo

📝 In Action

Mantengo mi habitación limpia todos los días.

A2

I keep my room clean every day.

Siempre mantengo la calma en situaciones difíciles.

B1

I always stay calm in difficult situations.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Antonyms

Common Collocations

  • mantengo la calma – I stay calm
  • mantengo el contacto – I stay in touch

I support, I provide for

An adult hand placing a large bowl of fresh fruit and a loaf of bread on a table for a child.

📝 In Action

Mantengo a mi familia con mi sueldo.

B1

I support my family with my salary.

Word Connections

Synonyms

Common Collocations

  • mantengo a mis hijos – I support my children

Subjunctive

Present Subjunctive

yomantenga
túmantengas
él/ella/ustedmantenga
nosotrosmantengamos
vosotrosmantengáis
ellos/ellas/ustedesmantengan

Imperfect Subjunctive

yomantuviera
túmantuvieras
él/ella/ustedmantuviera
nosotrosmantuviéramos
vosotrosmantuvierais
ellos/ellas/ustedesmantuvieran

Indicative

Present

yomantengo
túmantienes
él/ella/ustedmantiene
nosotrosmantenemos
vosotrosmantenéis
ellos/ellas/ustedesmantienen

Imperfect

yomantenía
túmantenías
él/ella/ustedmantenía
nosotrosmanteníamos
vosotrosmanteníais
ellos/ellas/ustedesmantenían

Preterite

yomantuve
túmantuviste
él/ella/ustedmantuvo
nosotrosmantuvimos
vosotrosmantuvisteis
ellos/ellas/ustedesmantuvieron
View All Tenses & Moods →

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "mantengo" in Spanish:

i hold→i keep→i maintain→i support→

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: mantengo

Question 1 of 1

How do you say 'I stay calm' in Spanish?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
tengovengodetengo
📚 Etymology▼

From the Latin words 'manus' (hand) and 'tenere' (to hold). It literally means 'to hold in your hand.'

First recorded: 13th century

Cognates (Related words)

French: maintiensEnglish: maintain

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Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'mantengo' the same as 'tengo'?

No, but they are cousins! 'Tengo' means 'I have,' and 'mantengo' means 'I keep' or 'I maintain.' They both follow the same 'yo-go' spelling pattern.