Inklingo

How to Say "to keep" in Spanish

The most common Spanish word for “to keep” is “guardar” — use 'guardar' when you are putting something away for safekeeping or retaining possession of an item, like keys or a secret..

guardar🔊A1

Use 'guardar' when you are putting something away for safekeeping or retaining possession of an item, like keys or a secret.

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mantener🔊A2

Use 'mantener' to describe keeping something in a specific state or condition, often related to emotions, physical condition, or hygiene.

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quedarse🔊A2

Use 'quedarse' when you are taking or retaining possession of something, often implying a choice or final decision about an item.

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conservar🔊B1

Use 'conservar' when referring to preserving something, maintaining its condition over time, or retaining an abstract quality like calm or health.

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mantenerse🔊B1

Use the reflexive 'mantenerse' when talking about staying or keeping oneself in a certain condition, especially regarding health or appearance.

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quedar🔊A1

Use 'quedar' to express staying in a place, such as 'staying home' or 'staying at a hotel', rather than actively keeping something.

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quedarnos🔊A1

Use 'quedarnos' to indicate a group's preference or decision to stay in a particular place or establishment.

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quedarme🔊A2

Use 'quedarme' when you are deciding to take or keep a specific item for yourself, often after considering alternatives.

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English → Spanish

guardar

/gwar-DAR//ɡwaɾˈðaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'guardar' when you are putting something away for safekeeping or retaining possession of an item, like keys or a secret.
A small child putting a colorful wooden block into a large, open toy chest, illustrating the action of storing an object.

Examples

Ella siempre guarda las llaves en el mismo cajón.

She always keeps the keys in the same drawer.

¿Dónde guardaste la aspiradora?

Where did you store the vacuum cleaner?

Guarda el cambio, lo necesitarás más tarde.

Keep the change, you will need it later.

Te prometo que voy a guardar tu secreto.

I promise you that I am going to keep your secret.

Regular AR Verb

Guardar follows the standard pattern for all -AR verbs. Just drop the -ar and add the appropriate endings (e.g., Yo guardo, Tú guardas).

Keeping Abstract Things

When dealing with abstract nouns like 'secreto' (secret), 'silencio' (silence), or 'rencor' (grudge), 'guardar' means to actively retain or maintain that state.

Confusing with 'Save Money'

Mistake: “Voy a guardar dinero.”

Correction: Voy a ahorrar dinero. ('Guardar' is physical storage; 'ahorrar' is saving money.)

mantener

/man-teh-NEHR//manteˈneɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'mantener' to describe keeping something in a specific state or condition, often related to emotions, physical condition, or hygiene.
A child maintaining order by placing a colorful toy block onto a perfectly organized, clean shelf.

Examples

Es importante mantener la calma en una emergencia.

It's important to keep calm in an emergency.

Intento mantener mi habitación ordenada.

I try to keep my room tidy.

Hemos mantenido una buena relación durante años.

We have maintained a good relationship for years.

Para mantenerse en forma, corre todas las mañanas.

To stay in shape, he runs every morning.

Irregular 'yo' Form

Just like 'tener' (tengo), the 'yo' form in the present is irregular: 'mantengo'. Many other changes also follow 'tener' (e.g., 'mantuve', 'mantendré').

Keeping a State

This meaning is often followed by a word that describes a state or quality. For example, 'mantener algo limpio' (to keep something clean) or 'mantener la puerta abierta' (to keep the door open).

Doing it to Yourself

When 'mantener' has 'se' on the end (mantenerse), it means the action is being done by the person to themselves. 'Mantengo la casa limpia' (I keep the house clean) vs. 'Me mantengo activo' (I keep myself active).

Using 'Guardar' instead

Mistake: “Guardo la calma.”

Correction: Mantengo la calma. Use 'guardar' for putting things away or storing them, not for maintaining a state or condition.

Forgetting the 'se'

Mistake: “Yo mantengo en forma.”

Correction: Yo me mantengo en forma. Because you are keeping *yourself* in shape, you need the little word 'me' (or 'te', 'se', etc.) before the verb.

quedarse

/keh-DAHR-seh//keˈðaɾse/

verbA2general
Use 'quedarse' when you are taking or retaining possession of something, often implying a choice or final decision about an item.
A child's hand tightly grasping the string of a large, bright red balloon, symbolizing retaining possession.

Examples

Ella se quedó con mi libro favorito.

She kept my favorite book.

Después de la fiesta, solo nos quedamos con los platos sucios.

After the party, we were only left with the dirty dishes.

Si gastamos todo, nos quedaremos sin dinero.

If we spend everything, we will run out of money.

Quedarse CON

When you want to express keeping or choosing something, always use 'quedarse con'. For example: 'Me quedé con la camiseta azul' (I chose/kept the blue shirt).

Quedarse SIN

When you want to express running out of something or lacking something, always use 'quedarse sin'. For example: 'Nos quedamos sin café' (We ran out of coffee).

conservar

/kon-ser-VAR//kon.seɾˈβaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'conservar' when referring to preserving something, maintaining its condition over time, or retaining an abstract quality like calm or health.
A young child sitting quietly, gently holding a small, slightly worn teddy bear close to their chest, symbolizing a cherished memory.

Examples

Ella conserva la calma incluso en situaciones difíciles.

She keeps her calm even in difficult situations.

Es difícil conservar el optimismo después de esa noticia.

It is difficult to retain optimism after that news.

Logró conservar su puesto de trabajo a pesar de los recortes.

He managed to keep his job despite the cutbacks.

reflexive verbB1general
Use the reflexive 'mantenerse' when talking about staying or keeping oneself in a certain condition, especially regarding health or appearance.

Examples

Para mantenerse en forma, corre todas las mañanas.

To stay in shape, he runs every morning.

guardar

/gwar-DAR//ɡwaɾˈðaɾ/

verbB1general
Use 'guardar' when you are keeping a secret or a promise, implying discretion and trustworthiness.
A small child putting a colorful wooden block into a large, open toy chest, illustrating the action of storing an object.

Examples

Te prometo que voy a guardar tu secreto.

I promise you that I am going to keep your secret.

Ella siempre guarda las llaves en el mismo cajón.

She always keeps the keys in the same drawer (puts them away).

¿Dónde guardaste la aspiradora?

Where did you store the vacuum cleaner?

Guarda el cambio, lo necesitarás más tarde.

Keep the change, you will need it later.

Regular AR Verb

Guardar follows the standard pattern for all -AR verbs. Just drop the -ar and add the appropriate endings (e.g., Yo guardo, Tú guardas).

Keeping Abstract Things

When dealing with abstract nouns like 'secreto' (secret), 'silencio' (silence), or 'rencor' (grudge), 'guardar' means to actively retain or maintain that state.

Confusing with 'Save Money'

Mistake: “Voy a guardar dinero.”

Correction: Voy a ahorrar dinero. ('Guardar' is physical storage; 'ahorrar' is saving money.)

quedar

keh-DAHR/keˈðaɾ/

verbA1general
Use 'quedar' to express staying in a place, such as 'staying home' or 'staying at a hotel', rather than actively keeping something.
A cozy interior scene showing a person sitting on a couch reading a book, while visible through a window, rain is falling heavily outside.

Examples

Me voy a quedar en casa esta noche.

I am going to stay home tonight.

¿Te quedaste con el cambio?

Did you keep the change?

El niño se quedó dormido en el sofá.

The child fell asleep on the sofa.

Reflexive vs. Non-Reflexive

Using 'quedarse' (reflexive) emphasizes the decision to stay or the resulting state of the subject. 'Quedar' (non-reflexive) usually means what is left over, or where something is located.

Misplacing the pronoun in commands

Mistake: “Te queda en casa. (Stay home.)”

Correction: Quédate en casa. (Stay home.) – When giving positive commands, the reflexive pronoun (te) attaches to the verb.

quedarnos

keh-DAHR-nos/keˈðaɾnos/

verbA1general
Use 'quedarnos' to indicate a group's preference or decision to stay in a particular place or establishment.
Two young friends sitting comfortably on a rug inside a brightly colored tent, smiling at each other, suggesting they are remaining in that location.

Examples

Preferimos quedarnos en el hotel esta noche.

We prefer to stay in the hotel tonight.

Antes de salir, tenemos que quedarnos tranquilos y pensar.

Before leaving, we have to remain calm and think.

¿A qué hora vamos a quedarnos para cenar?

What time are we going to meet up for dinner?

The Reflexive 'Nos'

'Quedarnos' is the base verb 'quedar' with the reflexive pronoun 'nos' attached. This 'nos' means the action is done to or for 'us' (nosotros), making it 'we stay'.

Attaching the Pronoun

When using the infinitive form, the pronoun ('nos') is always attached to the end. The conjugated forms separate the pronoun: 'Nos quedamos' (We stay).

Forgetting the 'Nos'

Mistake: “Vamos a quedar aquí. (Using the non-reflexive 'quedar')”

Correction: Vamos a quedarnos aquí. (The reflexive 'quedarse' is needed when you mean 'to stay' or 'to remain' in a place.)

quedarme

keh-DAR-meh/keˈðaɾme/

verbA2general
Use 'quedarme' when you are deciding to take or keep a specific item for yourself, often after considering alternatives.
A hand firmly holding a small, shiny, colorful seashell found on the ground, symbolizing keeping possession of an item.

Examples

Después de ver las opciones, voy a quedarme con la camisa azul.

After seeing the options, I am going to keep the blue shirt.

Si encuentro dinero, no puedo quedármelo, tengo que devolverlo.

If I find money, I cannot keep it, I have to return it.

Keeping requires 'con'

When 'quedarme' means 'to keep' or 'to take possession of something,' it usually needs the preposition 'con' right after it, meaning 'quedarme con algo' (to keep something).

Omitting 'con'

Mistake: “Quiero quedarme la bicicleta.”

Correction: Quiero quedarme con la bicicleta. (Using 'con' clarifies that you are taking possession, rather than just staying next to the bike.)

Choosing between 'guardar' and 'quedarse'

Learners often confuse 'guardar' and 'quedarse' when talking about keeping an item. 'Guardar' implies putting something away for safekeeping or retaining possession of something like a secret. 'Quedarse' (or 'quedarse con') implies taking possession of something, often as a choice or final decision.

Related Translations

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