Inklingo

How to Say "to retain" in Spanish

English → Spanish

conservar

kon-ser-VARkon.seɾˈβaɾ

verbB1general
Use 'conservar' when talking about maintaining a quality, state, or memory over time, often implying preservation.
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 (or retains) 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.

retener

rreh-teh-NEHRre.teˈner

verbB1general
Use 'retener' when referring to the act of holding onto or keeping something, especially information, knowledge, or data, or in a more technical sense of withholding something.
A person pointing to their head with a lightbulb glowing brightly above them.

Examples

Me cuesta retener los nombres de las personas.

I have a hard time remembering people's names.

Ella retiene mucha información después de leer un libro.

She retains a lot of information after reading a book.

Los niños retienen mejor el vocabulario con juegos.

Children remember vocabulary better through games.

La empresa retiene los impuestos de mi nómina.

The company withholds taxes from my payroll.

Mind vs. Hands

While 'retener' usually refers to holding something physical, when used with words like 'información' or 'nombres,' it describes the mental act of keeping it in your head.

Formal Contexts

In legal or financial contexts, the action is usually done by an authority (bank, police, government) to a person or their property.

Using 'recordar' for everything

Mistake: “No puedo recordar los números.”

Correction: While 'recordar' works, 'retener' is better when you mean the ability to keep the numbers in your mind over time.

retener

rreh-teh-NEHRre.teˈner

verbB2technical
Use 'retener' when discussing the biological or financial act of holding back or withholding a substance or payment.
A person pointing to their head with a lightbulb glowing brightly above them.

Examples

La empresa retiene los impuestos de mi nómina.

The company withholds taxes from my payroll.

Me cuesta retener los nombres de las personas.

I have a hard time remembering people's names.

Ella retiene mucha información después de leer un libro.

She retains a lot of information after reading a book.

Los niños retienen mejor el vocabulario con juegos.

Children remember vocabulary better through games.

Mind vs. Hands

While 'retener' usually refers to holding something physical, when used with words like 'información' or 'nombres,' it describes the mental act of keeping it in your head.

Formal Contexts

In legal or financial contexts, the action is usually done by an authority (bank, police, government) to a person or their property.

Using 'recordar' for everything

Mistake: “No puedo recordar los números.”

Correction: While 'recordar' works, 'retener' is better when you mean the ability to keep the numbers in your mind over time.

Conservar vs. Retener

Learners often confuse 'conservar' and 'retener' because both can mean 'to keep'. Remember that 'conservar' is more about preserving a state or quality (like calm or a memory), while 'retener' is more about the active act of holding onto something, especially information or data.

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