Inklingo

How to Say "keeping" in Spanish

English → Spanish

guardando

/gwar-DAN-do//ɡwaɾˈðando/

verbA1/B1general
Use 'guardando' when referring to the physical act of storing items or maintaining a state like silence or a secret.
A child placing colorful wooden toy blocks into a large wicker basket.

Examples

Estoy guardando la ropa limpia en el armario.

I am putting away the clean clothes in the closet.

Ellos están guardando los juguetes en la caja.

They are storing the toys in the box.

Él está guardando un secreto muy importante.

He is keeping a very important secret.

Todos están guardando silencio en la biblioteca.

Everyone is keeping silent in the library.

The '-ando' Ending

This word is the '-ing' form of the verb 'guardar'. In Spanish, we use this form with the verb 'estar' to talk about things happening right now.

Missing the helper verb

Mistake: “Yo guardando el libro.”

Correction: Yo *estoy* guardando el libro. (Spanish requires 'to be' just like English says 'I *am* saving'.)

manteniendo

/man-ten-YEN-doh//manteˈnjendo/

verbA2general
Use 'manteniendo' when the meaning is to hold onto something, preserve it, or keep it in the same condition.
A person carefully balancing a tall stack of colorful books to keep them from falling.

Examples

Estamos manteniendo la casa limpia.

We are keeping the house clean.

Sigue manteniendo su postura sobre el tema.

He continues maintaining his position on the subject.

Él está manteniendo a su familia con dos trabajos.

He is supporting his family with two jobs.

The '-iendo' Ending

This word is the '-ing' form of the verb 'mantener'. It is used to show that the action of keeping or maintaining is happening right now.

Using it with 'Estar'

In Spanish, you almost always pair this word with a helper verb like 'estar' (to be) or 'seguir' (to continue) to say what someone is currently doing.

Don't use it alone

Mistake: “Yo manteniendo la puerta.”

Correction: Estoy manteniendo la puerta. (You need a helper verb like 'estoy' before it.)

guarda

GWAR-dah/ˈɡwaɾða/

nounB2formal/legal
Use 'guarda' specifically when referring to legal custody or the act of safeguarding something, often in a formal or legal context.
A person gently holding a fragile, potted sapling plant with both hands, showing careful protection.

Examples

El juez decidió otorgarle la guarda de los niños a la madre.

The judge decided to grant custody of the children to the mother.

La guarda de los documentos históricos es vital.

The keeping (custody) of the historical documents is vital.

Formal Context

This meaning is typically used in legal or very formal settings, often replacing the more common word 'custodia'.

Verb vs. Noun for 'Keeping'

The most common mistake is using the noun 'guarda' (custody) when the English 'keeping' is actually a verb describing an action. Remember, 'guardando' and 'manteniendo' are verbs for actions, while 'guarda' is a noun, often related to legal or formal possession.

Related Translations

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