How to Say "keep" in Spanish
The most common Spanish word for “keep” is “guarde” — use 'guarde' when you mean to retain possession of an item or to hold onto information like a secret..
guarde
/GWAHR-deh//ˈɡwaɾðe/
Examples
Por favor, guarde estos documentos en la caja fuerte.
Please, keep these documents in the safe.
Guarde silencio, por favor.
Keep quiet, please.
Espero que él guarde mi secreto.
I hope that he keeps my secret.
The 'Polite' Command
Use 'guarde' when you want to tell someone politely (using 'usted') to put something away or save it. It sounds much more respectful than 'guarda'.
Expressing Wishes
This form is used after words like 'quiero que' (I want that) or 'espero que' (I hope that) to talk about what you want someone else to do.
The 'Usted' Mix-up
Mistake: “Saying 'Guarda el dinero' to a boss or stranger.”
Correction: Say 'Guarde el dinero'. 'Guarda' is only for friends and family; 'guarde' is the polite version.
mantenga
mahn-TEN-gah/manˈteŋ.ɡa/
Examples
Espero que usted mantenga la calma durante la emergencia.
I hope that you 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-gan//manˈteŋ.ɡan/
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.)
mantén
/man-TEN//manˈten/
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).
Guardar vs. Mantener
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