sostenido
“sostenido” means “sustained” in Spanish. It has 2 different meanings depending on context:
sustained, steady
Also: constant
📝 In Action
La empresa ha tenido un crecimiento sostenido este año.
B1The company has had sustained growth this year.
Escuchamos un pitido sostenido que venía de la cocina.
A2We heard a steady beep coming from the kitchen.
Mantén un esfuerzo sostenido para terminar la carrera.
B2Keep up a steady effort to finish the race.
sharp
📝 In Action
Esta canción está en Fa sostenido.
B2This song is in F sharp.
El símbolo del sostenido parece una almohadilla.
B1The sharp symbol looks like a hashtag.
Translate to Spanish
✏️ Quick Practice
Quick Quiz: sostenido
Question 1 of 3
If a company has 'crecimiento sostenido', what is happening?
📚 More Resources
👥 Word Family▼
📚 Etymology▼
From the Latin 'sustinere', where 'sub-' means 'from below' and 'tenere' means 'to hold'. It literally means to hold something up from underneath.
First recorded: 13th century
Cognates (Related words)
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is 'sostenido' a verb?
Technically, it is a form of the verb 'sostener' (called a past participle), but it is very often used on its own as an adjective (steady) or a noun (musical sharp).
Does it change to 'sostenida'?
Yes, when it is used as an adjective describing a feminine noun, like 'una nota sostenida' (a sustained note).
Is it the same as 'continuo'?
They are very similar! 'Sostenido' often implies an effort or a physical quality (like a sound) being held at the same level, whereas 'continuo' just means it doesn't stop.