retención
“retención” means “retention” in Spanish. It has 3 different meanings depending on context:
retention
Also: holding back, memory
📝 In Action
Beber mucha agua ayuda a evitar la retención de líquidos.
B1Drinking a lot of water helps avoid fluid retention.
El examen mide tu capacidad de retención de datos.
B2The exam measures your ability to retain data.
La retención de la mercancía en la aduana duró dos días.
C1The holding of the goods at customs lasted two days.
withholding
Also: deduction
📝 In Action
Tengo una retención del 15% en mi nómina.
B2I have a 15% withholding on my payslip.
La empresa aplica una retención de impuestos automática.
C1The company applies an automatic tax withholding.
Consulta el certificado de retenciones para tu declaración.
C1Check the withholding certificate for your tax return.
traffic jam
Also: congestion
📝 In Action
Hay una retención de cinco kilómetros en la entrada de Madrid.
B1There is a five-kilometer traffic jam at the entrance to Madrid.
La lluvia causó varias retenciones en la autopista.
B1The rain caused several traffic delays on the highway.
Evita la zona centro por las retenciones debido a las obras.
B2Avoid the downtown area due to traffic congestion from the roadworks.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: retención
Question 1 of 3
If you are looking at your paycheck and see a 'retención,' what does it mean?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
🎵 Rhymes▼
📚 Etymology▼
From Latin 'retentio', which comes from 'retinere' (to hold back). It is formed by 're-' (back) and 'tenere' (to hold).
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between 'atasco' and 'retención'?
They are very similar. 'Atasco' is the more informal, everyday word for a traffic jam. 'Retención' is slightly more formal and often used by traffic reporters to describe a slowing or stopping of traffic flow.
Can I use 'retención' to talk about a person being held by police?
Yes, but 'detención' is more common for an arrest. 'Retención' implies being held back or kept in a place for a short time, like at a border or checkpoint.
Why does the accent disappear in 'retenciones'?
Spanish spelling rules state that if the emphasis stays on the same syllable but the word gains an extra syllable ending in 's', the written accent is often no longer needed to show where the stress falls.