Meaning and behavior
What does entretener mean?
Entretener means to entertain. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -ER verb. It is non-reflexive.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- entretener
- Gerund
- entreteniendo
- Past participle
- entretenido
Verified irregular pattern
How this verb behaves
Its forms differ from a fully regular -er pattern in the present, preterite, future.
Conjugation guide
Present forms
Present forms
Present
Use the present forms of entretener for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Entretener |
|---|---|
| yo | entretengo |
| tú | entretienes |
| él / ella / usted | entretiene |
| nosotros / nosotras | entretenemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | entretenéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | entretienen |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of entretener is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Entretener |
|---|---|
| yo | entretuve |
| tú | entretuviste |
| él / ella / usted | entretuvo |
| nosotros / nosotras | entretuvimos |
| vosotros / vosotras | entretuvisteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | entretuvieron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of entretener, or for background information.
| Subject | Entretener |
|---|---|
| yo | entretenía |
| tú | entretenías |
| él / ella / usted | entretenía |
| nosotros / nosotras | entreteníamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | entreteníais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | entretenían |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of entretener for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Entretener |
|---|---|
| yo | entretendré |
| tú | entretendrás |
| él / ella / usted | entretendrá |
| nosotros / nosotras | entretendremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | entretendréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | entretendrán |
Verified context
Examples with entretener
Su historia entretuvo a todos.
His story amused everyone.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FREl profesor entretuvo a los alumnos.
The teacher amused the pupils.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FREllas se entretuvieron con nosotras.
They had fun with us.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Entretener FAQ
What does entretener mean?
Entretener means to entertain.
Is entretener regular or irregular?
Entretener is a irregular -ER verb.
What is the gerund of entretener?
The gerund of entretener is entreteniendo.
What is the past participle of entretener?
The past participle of entretener is entretenido.
How is entretener conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is entretengo, entretienes, entretiene, entretenemos, entretienen.
How is entretener conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is entretuve, entretuviste, entretuvo, entretuvimos, entretuvieron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.