Mantenirse

Mantenirse is typically considered an incorrect or variant spelling of the standard Spanish verb mantenerse, which is the reflexive form of mantener. The meaning of mantenerse centers on staying or keeping oneself in a certain state, condition, or situation, whether physically, financially, or figuratively.

The correct and widely used form is mantener(se). The reflexive construction emphasizes that the subject sustains or remains in a condition by its own action. Etymologically, mantener comes from the Latin roots meaning to hold up or support, and the reflexive suffix se indicates that the action is performed by and upon the subject.

In everyday usage, mantener(se) appears with phrases that specify the state being kept, such as mantenerse en forma (to stay in shape), mantenerse a flote (to stay afloat financially or literally), or mantenerse estable/seguro (to remain steady or secure). It also conveys the idea of supporting oneself financially: mantenerse económicamente.

Conjugation examples in the present indicative: me mantengo, te mantienes, se mantiene, nos mantenemos, se mantienen. Other tenses follow the standard pattern of mantener, with the appropriate reflexive pronoun: me mantuve, te mantuviste, se mantuvo, nos mantuvimos, se mantuvieron; future: me mantendré, te mantendrás, etc.

Notes: some writers and learners encounter mantene rse as a misspelling or regional variant of mantenerse. In formal writing, and in most grammar references, mantenerse is preferred. Related terms include mantenimiento (maintenance), and mantener can take various complements to express support or preservation of a state.