Inklingo

mantengo

/man-TEN-go/

I keep

A person holding a heavy wooden door open with their hand and foot to let others pass.

I keep the door open, maintaining its position.

mantengo(verb)

A2irregular (follows a special 'go' pattern in the first person) er

I keep

?

continuing a state or position

,

I maintain

?

keeping something in good condition

Also:

I hold

?

keeping something in a specific physical spot

📝 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 calmaI stay calm
  • mantengo el contactoI stay in touch

💡 Grammar Points

The 'Yo-Go' Rule

Just like the word 'tengo' (I have), this word adds a 'g' in the 'yo' form to make it easier to pronounce.

❌ Common Pitfalls

Avoid 'Manteno'

Mistake: "Yo manteno la dieta."

Correction: Yo mantengo la dieta. Remember to add the 'g' for the 'I' form!

⭐ Usage Tips

Staying in touch

Use 'mantengo el contacto' when you want to say you are still talking to an old friend.

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

I support my family by providing the food they need.

mantengo(verb)

B1

I support

?

providing money or food for someone

,

I provide for

?

taking care of family needs

📝 In Action

Mantengo a mi familia con mi sueldo.

B1

I support my family with my salary.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • sustento (I sustain/provide for)

Common Collocations

  • mantengo a mis hijosI support my children

💡 Grammar Points

Using 'a' with people

When you say you support a person, always put the word 'a' after mantengo (e.g., 'Mantengo a mi hermano').

🔄 Conjugations

subjunctive

present

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

imperfect

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

indicative

present

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

imperfect

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

preterite

yomantuve
nosotrosmantuvimos
ellos/ellas/ustedesmantuvieron
mantuviste
vosotrosmantuvisteis
él/ella/ustedmantuvo

✏️ Quick Practice

💡 Quick Quiz: mantengo

Question 1 of 1

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

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.