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"Mantener" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to hold", and "mantenerse" is a pronominal verb which is often translated as "to stay". Learn more about the difference between "mantener" and "mantenerse" below.
mantener(
mahn
-
teh
-
nehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (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.
4. (to sustain)
a. to have
Mantuve una conversación muy interesante con el encargado.I had a very interesting conversation with the manager.
5. (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.
mantenerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
6. (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.
mantenerse(
mahn
-
teh
-
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.
