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"Ganarse la vida" is an intransitive verb phrase which is often translated as "to earn a living", and "mantenerse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to stay". Learn more about the difference between "ganarse la vida" and "mantenerse" below.
ganarse la vida(
gah
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nahr
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seh
lah
bee
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dah
)An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. to earn a living
Es duro ganarse la vida en tiempos de crisis económica y desempleo elevado.It's hard to earn a living in times of financial crisis and high unemployment.
b. to earn one's living
El tío Pedro se ganaba la vida trabajando en la mina.Uncle Pedro earned his living working in the mine.
c. to make a living
Dora es peruana y se gana la vida como conductora de autobús.Dora is Peruvian and makes a living as a bus driver.
ganar la vida
An intransitive verb phrase is a phrase that combines a verb with a preposition or other particle and does not require a direct object (e.g., Everybody please stand up.).
a. to earn a living
¿No te quieres ganar la vida y ser independiente?Don't you want to earn a living and be independent?
b. to make a living
No poder trabajar significa no poderse ganar la vida.Not being able to work means not being able to make a living.
mantenerse(
mahn
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teh
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nehr
-
seh
)A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
1. (to remain)
b. to remain
La torre se mantuvo en pie aún después del temblor.The tower remained standing even after the earthquake.
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to live on
Se mantuvieron a base de la pizza durante la semana de exámenes.They lived on pizza during exam week.
mantener
A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
4. (to bear)
b. to support
Manténle la cabeza al bebé con la mano bajo el cuello.Support the baby's head with your hand under his neck.
b. to maintain
Es difícil mantener un hogar con el sueldo de una enfermera.It's hard to maintain a household on a nurse's salary.
b. to keep up
Aunque salió de la aldea hace 30 años, Julia todavía mantiene sus tradiciones.Even though Julia left the village 30 years ago, she still keeps up its traditions.
c. to maintain
Me cuesta mucho mantener un peso saludable.I really struggle to maintain a healthy weight.
7. (to sustain)
a. to have
Mantuve una conversación muy interesante con el encargado.I had a very interesting conversation with the manager.
8. (to affirm)
b. to stick to
El sospechoso mantuvo la misma historia después de tres horas de interrogación.The suspect stuck to his story after three hours of interrogation.
