Inklingo

How to Say "to preserve" in Spanish

English → Spanish

conservar

/kon-ser-VAR//kon.seɾˈβaɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'conservar' when you mean to keep something in its current state, such as food to prevent spoilage or historical objects to prevent damage.
Several glass jars of colorful preserved vegetables, such as pickles and carrots, lined up neatly on a rustic wooden shelf.

Examples

Necesitas refrigerar la leche para conservarla.

You need to refrigerate the milk to preserve it.

Los museos conservan artefactos muy antiguos.

Museums conserve (or preserve) very old artifacts.

Mi abuela sabe cómo conservar mermelada casera.

My grandmother knows how to preserve homemade jam.

Regular -AR Verb

'Conservar' is one of the easiest verbs to learn because it follows the standard pattern for all verbs ending in -ar. Just remember the endings!

mantener

/man-teh-NEHR//manteˈneɾ/

verbA2general
Use 'mantener' to keep something in existence, at a certain level, or in a particular condition, like maintaining order or a tradition.
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.

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).

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.

curar

/koo-RAHR//kuˈɾaɾ/

verbB2culinary/specific
Use 'curar' specifically for preserving food items for long-term storage, often through processes like salting, smoking, or drying.
A storybook illustration showing several large cuts of meat hanging inside a rustic smokehouse, being cured by smoke.

Examples

El jamón serrano debe curarse durante muchos meses.

Serrano ham must be cured for many months.

Están curando el queso en una cueva fría.

They are aging the cheese in a cold cave.

Conservar vs. Mantener

Learners often confuse 'conservar' and 'mantener' because both can mean 'to keep'. Remember that 'conservar' is typically for physical objects or food to prevent decay, while 'mantener' is more abstract, referring to keeping something going or in a state, like a tradition or a feeling.

Related Translations

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