Inklingo

How to Say "hold" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “hold” is “aguanta” — use 'aguanta' when referring to a noun's ability to support weight or endure stress, often translating to 'supports' or 'withstands'.

aguanta🔊A2

Use 'aguanta' when referring to a noun's ability to support weight or endure stress, often translating to 'supports' or 'withstands'.

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mantén🔊B1

Use 'mantén' as an informal command (tú) to tell someone to keep or maintain something, either physically or metaphorically, like 'keep' or 'maintain'.

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detén🔊A2

Use 'detén' as an informal command (tú) to tell someone to stop, hold back, or restrain something, similar to 'stop' or 'hold back'.

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mantenga🔊B1

Use 'mantenga' as a formal command (usted) or in the present subjunctive to tell someone to keep or maintain a state or position, like 'keep' or 'maintain'.

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mantengan🔊B1

Use 'mantengan' as a command for 'you all' (ustedes) or in the present subjunctive to tell a group to keep or maintain something, like 'you all keep' or 'maintain'.

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celebrar🔊B1

Use 'celebrar' specifically when 'hold' refers to organizing and conducting a formal event, like a meeting, ceremony, or mass.

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agarre🔊B1

Use 'agarre' when 'hold' refers to the physical act or quality of grasping, a 'grip' or 'hold'.

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vientre🔊B2

Use 'vientre' to refer to the 'womb' or the internal space of a ship, a very specific and less common translation of 'hold'.

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English → Spanish

aguanta

ah-GWAHN-tahaˈɣwan.ta

VerbA2General
Use 'aguanta' when referring to a noun's ability to support weight or endure stress, often translating to 'supports' or 'withstands'.
A strong person is holding a large, heavy grey boulder above their head with both hands, showing physical support.

Examples

Esta viga aguanta todo el techo de la casa.

This beam supports the entire roof of the house.

¡Aguanta la caja con las dos manos o se cae!

Hold the box with both hands or it will fall!

Present Tense vs. Command

The form 'aguanta' is used both when talking about what a third person (he/she/it) does now, and as a direct command to you (tú).

mantén

man-TENmanˈten

Verb (Command Form)B1Informal
Use 'mantén' as an informal command (tú) to tell someone to keep or maintain something, either physically or metaphorically, like 'keep' or 'maintain'.
A close-up view of a hand tightly gripping the string of a vibrant red balloon, preventing it from floating away.

Examples

Mantén la puerta cerrada, por favor.

Keep the door closed, please.

Si quieres un buen trabajo, mantén tus habilidades al día.

If you want a good job, maintain your skills up to date.

¡Mantén la calma! Solo es una pequeña araña.

Keep calm! It's only a small spider.

The Informal Command

'Mantén' is the affirmative (positive) command you use when speaking informally to one person (the 'tú' form). It tells them what to DO.

A Special Irregularity

Most 'tú' commands are the same as the 'él/ella' present tense form (e.g., habla). However, 'mantén' is irregular because its base verb, 'mantener,' follows the pattern of the highly irregular verb 'tener' (to have).

Using the Indicative Form

Mistake: “Tú mantienes la calma.”

Correction: ¡Mantén la calma! 'Mantienes' means 'You keep' (statement), while 'Mantén' means 'Keep!' (order).

detén

deh-TENdeˈten

VerbA2Informal
Use 'detén' as an informal command (tú) to tell someone to stop, hold back, or restrain something, similar to 'stop' or 'hold back'.
A child standing on a path with an outstretched hand signaling a rolling red ball to stop.

Examples

¡Detén el coche, hay un perro en la calle!

Stop the car, there is a dog in the street!

Detén un segundo lo que haces y mírame.

Stop what you're doing for a second and look at me.

Detén el avance de los enemigos.

Hold back the enemies' progress.

A Special Short Command

Most verbs use their 'he/she' form for commands, but 'detener' is special. Instead of 'detiene', we use 'detén' when telling a friend to stop.

Don't forget the accent

Mistake: “deten”

Correction: detén

mantenga

mahn-TEN-gahmanˈteŋ.ɡa

VerbB1Formal
Use 'mantenga' as a formal command (usted) or in the present subjunctive to tell someone to keep or maintain a state or position, like 'keep' or 'maintain'.
A high quality storybook illustration showing a small, friendly character carefully supporting the base of a perfectly balanced, colorful stack of wooden blocks to keep them stable and upright.

Examples

Espero que usted mantenga la calma durante la emergencia.

I hope that you (formal) keep calm during the emergency.

El doctor recomienda que mantenga una dieta balanceada.

The doctor recommends that I/he/she/you (formal) maintain a balanced diet.

¡Mantenga la puerta cerrada en todo momento!

Keep the door closed at all times! (Formal command)

Dual Role of 'Mantenga'

'Mantenga' is used for two things: 1) The special verb form (subjunctive) for 'yo' (I) and 'él/ella/usted' (he/she/you formal). 2) The formal command for 'usted' (You, formal).

Irregular 'Go' Verb Pattern

The verb 'mantener' follows the same pattern as 'tener' (to have). In the 'yo' form of the present indicative ('yo mantengo') and all of the present subjunctive forms ('mantenga'), it adds a 'g' before the ending.

Confusing Subjunctive vs. Indicative

Mistake: “Using 'Es necesario que él mantiene la promesa.'”

Correction: Use 'Es necesario que él mantenga la promesa.' (It is necessary that he keep the promise.) Spanish uses the special 'mantenga' form after expressions of necessity, desire, or doubt.

mantengan

man-TEN-ganmanˈteŋ.ɡan

VerbB1Formal/Plural
Use 'mantengan' as a command for 'you all' (ustedes) or in the present subjunctive to tell a group to keep or maintain something, like 'you all keep' or 'maintain'.
A small child stands focused and perfectly still, carefully balancing a large, bright blue sphere on the palm of their outstretched hand, illustrating stability and maintenance.

Examples

Es crucial que ustedes mantengan la calma durante la emergencia.

It is crucial that you all keep calm during the emergency.

¡Mantengan una distancia segura de las vías!

Maintain a safe distance from the tracks!

Ojalá que los precios se mantengan estables este año.

Hopefully, prices will remain stable this year.

Formal Command (Ustedes)

When you are giving a formal command to a group of people ('you all'), use 'mantengan'. For example, '¡Mantengan el orden!' (Keep order!)

Expressing Wishes/Doubt

When you want to express hope, doubt, or necessity about what others are doing, use 'mantengan'. This is the special verb form needed after words like 'espero que' (I hope that) or 'es necesario que' (it is necessary that).

Irregularity Alert

The verb 'mantener' follows the same tricky pattern as 'tener' (to have). Notice the 'g' in 'mantenga/mantengan' and the 'uv' in the past tenses (like 'mantuvo').

Using the wrong mood for wishes

Mistake: “Espero que mantienen la promesa.”

Correction: Espero que mantengan la promesa. (When expressing a wish or hope, Spanish requires the special verb form, not the normal present tense.)

celebrar

the-leh-BRARθeleˈβɾaɾ

verbB1General
Use 'celebrar' specifically when 'hold' refers to organizing and conducting a formal event, like a meeting, ceremony, or mass.
Three cartoon figures sitting around a circular table in a simple room, one figure is speaking while the others listen attentively, representing a meeting being held.

Examples

El director decidió celebrar la reunión de emergencia a las dos.

The director decided to hold the emergency meeting at two o'clock.

En esta iglesia, el sacerdote celebra misa todos los días.

In this church, the priest celebrates (holds) mass every day.

Formal Context

When used this way, 'celebrar' implies a formal or structured event, like a court session or a large conference.

agarre

ah-GAH-rrehaˈɡare

nounB1General
Use 'agarre' when 'hold' refers to the physical act or quality of grasping, a 'grip' or 'hold'.
A close-up illustration of a hand firmly holding a thick rope.

Examples

Estas zapatillas tienen un agarre excelente en el gimnasio.

These sneakers have an excellent grip in the gym.

El coche perdió el agarre en la curva mojada.

The car lost traction on the wet curve.

Asegúrate de que el agarre sea firme antes de subir.

Make sure the hold is firm before climbing up.

Using 'el' with agarre

Even though it sounds like a verb, this is a masculine noun, so always use 'el' or 'un'.

Grip vs Handle

Mistake: “Using 'agarre' for a door handle.”

Correction: Use 'pomo' or 'manilla' for door hardware; 'agarre' is the action or quality of gripping.

vientre

bee-EN-trehˈbjɛn.tɾe

nounB2Figurative/Specific
Use 'vientre' to refer to the 'womb' or the internal space of a ship, a very specific and less common translation of 'hold'.
A simple, colorful illustration showing the profile silhouette of a pregnant woman, emphasizing her large, rounded stomach.

Examples

La madre llevó a su hijo en el vientre durante nueve meses.

The mother carried her son in her womb for nine months.

El cargamento fue guardado en el vientre oscuro del buque.

The cargo was stored in the dark hold (belly) of the vessel.

Verb Command Forms

The most common mistake is confusing the informal command 'mantén' (tú) with the formal 'mantenga' (usted) or the plural 'mantengan' (ustedes). Always consider who you are speaking to before choosing which form of 'mantener' to use for 'hold'.

Related Translations

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