Meaning and behavior
What does mantener mean?
Mantener means to keep. VerbyGo classifies it as an irregular -ER verb. It is non-reflexive.
to maintain, to support; to sustain, to preserve, to retain, to uphold.
Build from reliable parts
Principal forms
- Infinitive
- mantener
- Gerund
- manteniendo
- Past participle
- mantenido
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 mantener for current situations, routines and actions that happen regularly.
| Subject | Mantener |
|---|---|
| yo | mantengo |
| tú | mantienes |
| él / ella / usted | mantiene |
| nosotros / nosotras | mantenemos |
| vosotros / vosotras | mantenéis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | mantienen |
Present forms
Present progressive
Use present estar with manteniendo for an action in progress now.
| Subject | Mantener |
|---|---|
| yo | estoy manteniendo |
| tú | estás manteniendo |
| él / ella / usted | está manteniendo |
| nosotros / nosotras | estamos manteniendo |
| vosotros / vosotras | estáis manteniendo |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | están manteniendo |
Present forms
Present perfect continuous
Use present haber, estado and manteniendo to emphasize an activity continuing into the present.
| Subject | Mantener |
|---|---|
| yo | he estado manteniendo |
| tú | has estado manteniendo |
| él / ella / usted | ha estado manteniendo |
| nosotros / nosotras | hemos estado manteniendo |
| vosotros / vosotras | habéis estado manteniendo |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | han estado manteniendo |
Conjugation guide
Past forms
Past forms
Preterite
Use the preterite when the action of mantener is presented as completed in the past.
| Subject | Mantener |
|---|---|
| yo | mantuve |
| tú | mantuviste |
| él / ella / usted | mantuvo |
| nosotros / nosotras | mantuvimos |
| vosotros / vosotras | mantuvisteis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | mantuvieron |
Past forms
Imperfect past
Use the imperfect for repeated or ongoing past uses of mantener, or for background information.
| Subject | Mantener |
|---|---|
| yo | mantenía |
| tú | mantenías |
| él / ella / usted | mantenía |
| nosotros / nosotras | manteníamos |
| vosotros / vosotras | manteníais |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | mantenían |
Conjugation guide
Future and conditional
Future and conditional
Simple future
Use the future forms of mantener for predictions, promises and future statements.
| Subject | Mantener |
|---|---|
| yo | mantendré |
| tú | mantendrás |
| él / ella / usted | mantendrá |
| nosotros / nosotras | mantendremos |
| vosotros / vosotras | mantendréis |
| ellos / ellas / ustedes | mantendrán |
Verified context
Examples with mantener
Mantén tu frente en alto.
Keep your chin up.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRTom mantuvo a Mary cerca.
Tom held Mary close.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FRMantén los brazos en alto.
Keep your hands up.
Tatoeba example · CC BY 2.0 FR
Quick answers
Mantener FAQ
What does mantener mean?
Mantener means to keep.
Is mantener regular or irregular?
Mantener is a irregular -ER verb.
What is the gerund of mantener?
The gerund of mantener is manteniendo.
What is the past participle of mantener?
The past participle of mantener is mantenido.
How is mantener conjugated in the present?
The verified public subject set is mantengo, mantienes, mantiene, mantenemos, mantienen.
How is mantener conjugated in the preterite?
The verified public subject set is mantuve, mantuviste, mantuvo, mantuvimos, mantuvieron.
Created by Alejandro Ruiz, an experienced Spanish tutor.