Part of speech: Verb
Phonetic transcription: /man.teˈneɾ/
Meanings: - To maintain: to keep something in a particular state or condition. - To support: to provide the necessities of life for someone. - To sustain: to keep something going or continuing.
Usage patterns: The verb "mantener" is commonly used in both oral and written Spanish. It is a versatile verb that is used frequently in various contexts. Its conjugated forms appear in all verb tenses due to its regular conjugation pattern.
Verb forms: - Present: mantengo, mantienes, mantiene, mantenemos, mantenéis, mantienen - Past: mantuve, mantuviste, mantuvo, mantuvimos, mantuvisteis, mantuvieron - Future: mantendré, mantendrás, mantendrá, mantendremos, mantendréis, mantendrán - Conditional: mantendría, mantendrías, mantendría, mantendríamos, mantendríais, mantendrían - Imperative: mantén (tú), mantenga (usted), mantengamos (nosotros), mantened (vosotros), mantengan (ustedes)
Gerund form: manteniendo
Example phrases: 1. Quiero mantener mi rutina de ejercicios para estar en forma. (I want to maintain my exercise routine to stay in shape.) 2. Los padres deben mantener a sus hijos hasta que sean independientes. (Parents should support their children until they are independent.)
Idiomatic expressions: - Mantener en suspense: to keep someone in suspense. - Mantenerse al margen: to stay out of it. - Mantenerse al día: to keep up-to-date. - Mantener la calma: to stay calm. - Mantener la compostura: to keep composure. - Mantener la línea: to keep in shape. - Mantener relaciones: to maintain relationships.
Examples of idiomatic expressions: 1. A Juan le gusta mantener en suspense a sus amigos sobre sus sorpresas. (Juan likes to keep his friends in suspense about his surprises.) 2. Prefiero mantenerme al margen de los chismes en el trabajo. (I prefer to stay out of the gossip at work.) 3. Es importante mantenerse al día con las noticias para estar informado. (It is important to keep up-to-date with the news to be informed.) 4. Intenta mantener la calma ante situaciones estresantes. (Try to stay calm in stressful situations.) 5. Diana siempre mantiene la compostura en momentos difíciles. (Diana always keeps her composure in difficult times.)
Etymology: The word "mantener" comes from the Latin word "manu tenēre," which combines "manus" (hand) and "tenere" (hold).
Synonyms: - Conservar (to conserve) - Sostener (to sustain) - Apoyar (to support)
Antonyms: - Dejar (to abandon) - Descuidar (to neglect) - Soltar (to release)