entretener

Entretener is a Spanish verb that means to entertain, to amuse, or to occupy someone’s time or attention. It can refer to providing amusement for an audience, keeping children busy, or even entertaining a thought or idea by considering it. The sense of keeping someone engaged can apply to both people and activities.

Etymology and related terms: Entretener derives from Latin intertenere, through the Spanish form entretenir, combining the elements for “between” and “to hold.” Over time the meaning shifted from a physical sense of holding to the more general idea of holding someone’s attention or time, yielding the modern sense of entertainment or occupation. Related nouns include entretenimiento (entertainment) and entretención (rare; maintenance or upkeep in some dialects).

Usage and nuance: Common constructions include entretener a alguien (to entertain someone) and entretener al público (to entertain the audience); or entretener a los niños (to keep the children occupied). The reflexive form entretenerse means to amuse oneself or to pass the time. In some contexts, the term can imply delaying or occupying in a more functional sense, but the core usage remains positive engagement or diversion.

Conjugation and forms: Entretener is an irregular -er verb. In the present tense, its forms are yo entretengo, tú entretienes, él entretiene, nosotros entretenemos, vosotros entretenéis, ellos entretienen. The verb has other tenses with the expected -er endings and occasional irregularities in stem changes. The reflexive form is entretenerse (me entretengo, te entretienes, se entretiene, etc.).