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"Tener" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to have", and "retener" is a transitive verb which is often translated as "to keep". Learn more about the difference between "tener" and "retener" below.
tener(
teh
-
nehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
1. (to possess)
4. (to wear)
a. to have
La chica que busco tiene lentes de sol y una bufanda.The girl I'm looking for has sunglasses and a scarf.
10. (to measure)
12. (to receive)
a. to have
Todavía no tuve el correo electrónico de confirmación de la empresa.I haven't had a confirmation email from the company yet.
15. (to think of)
16. (used to indicate duration) (Latin America)
Regionalism used in Latin America: all the countries in South America, Central America, and the Caribbean. Does not include Spain.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Tengo dos años sin verlo.I haven't seen him for two years.
Mis abuelos tienen 40 años de casados.My grandparents have been married for 40 years.
An auxiliary verb, or helper verb, is a conjugated verb that comes before a main verb and determines the main verb's tense, mood, or aspect (e.g., I have gone.).
a. to have to
Tengo que terminar mis deberes antes de salir a la fiesta.I have to finish my homework before going to the party.
b. must
Tienes que comer todo en tu plato si quieres postre.You must eat everything on your plate if you want dessert.
a. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Tengo pensado ir al mercado mañana.I think I'll go to the market tomorrow.
Tenemos entendido que piensas dejar la escuela.We understand that you're thinking of leaving school.
a. to make
La noticia sobre el huracán me tiene muy nervioso.The news about the hurricane is making me nervous.
tenerse
A reflexive verb is a verb that indicates that the subject performs an action on itself (e.g., Miguel se lava.).
a. to stand
Este adorno no se tiene sin apoyarlo contra algo.This ornament won't stand without leaning it on something.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Estaba tan mareado que no me tenía de pie.I was so dizzy that I couldn't stand up.
No me tengo de sueño.I'm so tired I can barely stand.
b. no direct translation
This refers to an idiomatic word or phrase for which there is no word-for-word translation.
Este muchacho se tiene por muy guapo.That kid thinks he's so attractive.
¿Por quién se tiene tu prima?Who does your cousin think she is?
retener(
rreh
-
teh
-
nehr
)A transitive verb is a verb that requires a direct object (e.g., I bought a book.).
c. to keep back
El temporal nos retuvo varios días en la isla.The storm kept us back on the island for several days.
d. to hold up
En el último minuto surgió un problema que me retuvo en la oficina.At the last minute, a problem came up that held me up at the office.
a. to retain (water or a crowd)
El embalse se forma porque la presa retiene el agua del río.The reservoir is created by the dam retaining the river's waters.
b. to hold back (water or a crowd)
La verja no pudo retener la gran marea humana.The gate could not hold back the great mass of people.
3. (to arrest)
a. to withhold (information or data)
Durante años, el laboratorio farmacéutico retuvo información sobre la toxicidad del fármaco.The pharmaceutical company withheld information on the drug's toxicity for years.
b. to keep back (information or data)
Se retuvieron datos a fin de proteger la privacidad de los usuarios.Some data were kept back in order to protect users' privacy.
a. to retain
En las últimas elecciones, ningún partido logró retener todos sus escaños.In the last election, no party managed to retain all its seats.
b. to keep
Retener la atención de los alumnos es el principal desafío del profesor.Keeping his or her pupils' attention is a teacher's main challenge.
c. to hold onto
El actor, divorciado tres veces, afirmó que retener a una mujer no es asunto fácil.The actor, three times divorced, asserted that holding onto a woman is not that easy.
d. to hold down (a job)
No consigue retener ningún trabajo mucho tiempo.She can't hold down any job for long.
6. (physics)
a. to retain (heat or a charge)
La lana retiene el calor mejor que los tejidos sintéticos.Wool retains heat better than synthetic fabrics.
7. (medicine)
a. to retain (liquids or urine)
Quizá te sientes hinchada porque retienes líquidos.Maybe you feel swollen because you're retaining liquids.
c. to hold down (when vomiting or having diarrhea)
Sigue vomitando y no consigue retener ningún líquido.She's still vomiting, and she can't hold down any liquid.
a. to retain (ID or bank card)
La policía le retuvo el pasaporte, y él se quedó sin documentos.The police retained his passport and he was left with no identity papers.
9. (finance)
a. to withhold (tax money)
La empresa me retiene los impuestos directamente del sueldo bruto.My company withholds my taxes directly from my gross salary.
10. (to remember)
a. to retain
Nunca deja de asombrarme la cantidad de información que eres capaz de retener.It never ceases to amaze me how much information you are able to retain.
b. to keep in one's head
El profesor no esperará que retengamos todos esos nombres y fechas.The teacher cannot expect us to keep all those names and dates in our heads.
retenerse
A pronominal verb always uses a reflexive pronoun. (e.g., Te ves cansado.).
a. to restrain yourself
No me pude retener y le dije cuatro verdades.I couldn't restrain myself and gave him a piece of my mind.
