Inklingo

mantenlo

mahn-TEN-lohmanˈtenlo

mantenlo means keep it in Spanish (to continue having or holding something).

keep it

Also: hold it, maintain it
VerbA2irregular er
A happy child sitting on a rug and holding a fluffy teddy bear tightly in their arms.
gerundmanteniendo
past Participlemantenido
infinitivemantener

📝 In Action

Mantenlo en un lugar fresco y seco.

A2

Keep it in a cool, dry place.

Si el secreto es importante, mantenlo.

B1

If the secret is important, keep it.

Mantenlo así por cinco segundos.

A2

Hold it like that for five seconds.

Word Connections

Synonyms

  • consérvalo (preserve it / keep it)
  • guárdalo (save it / put it away)

Antonyms

  • suéltalo (let it go / release it)
  • cámbialo (change it)

Common Collocations

  • Mantenlo limpioKeep it clean
  • Mantenlo realKeep it real
  • Mantenlo en secretoKeep it a secret

Subjunctive

Imperfect Subjunctive

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

Present Subjunctive

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

Indicative

Preterite

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

Imperfect

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

Present

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

Translate to Spanish

Words that translate to "mantenlo" in Spanish:

hold itkeep itmaintain it

✏️ Quick Practice

Quick Quiz: mantenlo

Question 1 of 1

How would you say 'Keep it clean' to a friend?

📚 More Resources

👥 Word Family
🎵 Rhymes
háznloponlo
📚 Etymology

From the Spanish verb 'mantener', which comes from the Latin 'manutenere'. This is a combination of 'manus' (hand) and 'tenere' (to hold).

First recorded: 13th century (base verb)

Cognates (Related words)

French: maintenirEnglish: maintain

💡 Master Spanish

Take your Spanish to the next level. Read 200+ illustrated and narrated Spanish stories tailored to your level with the Inklingo app!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 'mantenlo' one word or two?

It is written as one single word in Spanish, even though it combines the action (keep) and the object (it).

When do I use 'mantenlo' instead of 'manténgalo'?

Use 'mantenlo' with friends, family, or people your own age. Use 'manténgalo' if you want to be formal or polite with a stranger or boss.