Mantenían

Mantenían is a Spanish verb, specifically the imperfect indicative form of the verb mantener. This tense is used to describe ongoing actions, habitual actions, or states of being in the past. It conveys a sense of continuity or duration in the past without specifying an endpoint.

The verb mantener itself has a broad range of meanings, including to maintain, to keep, to support, to sustain, and to hold. Therefore, mantenían can be translated in various ways depending on the context. For example, "Ellos mantenían la casa limpia" translates to "They kept the house clean," indicating a habitual action in the past. "El equipo mantenía una ventaja de dos goles" means "The team maintained a two-goal lead," describing a state of being that persisted for a period.

When encountered in Spanish text, understanding the context surrounding mantenían is crucial for accurate interpretation. The specific object or situation it relates to will clarify whether it refers to physical maintenance, emotional support, the continuation of a state, or something else entirely. It is a common and versatile verb form in Spanish, essential for describing past events with a sense of ongoing activity or duration.