entretengo

Entretengo is the first-person singular present indicative form of the Spanish verb entretener, which means to entertain, to hold someone’s attention, or to occupy time. The verb conveys the idea of causing someone to be amused or interested, or of keeping someone busy with an activity.

Etymology and forms: Entretener comes from a root related to holding or keeping, with the prefix en- that modifies the idea of causing to be in a state of attention or amusement. In addition to the yo form entretengo, common present indicative forms include entretienes (tú), entretiene (él/ella/usted), entretenemos (nosotros), entretenéis (vosotros), and entretienen (ellos/ellas/ustedes). The gerund is entreteniendo, and the past participle is entretenido. The verb is used both transitively, as in entretengo a los invitados, and reflexively in some contexts as entretenerse, meaning to amuse oneself or to spend time in an agreeable way.

Usage: Entretengo is used to describe actions that keep someone engaged, such as telling stories, playing music, or showing a program that captivates an audience. It can also express how one spends time in a neutral or positive sense, for example, me entretengo leyendo. In many contexts, the nuance ranges from simply “occupy” to “amuse,” depending on tone and object.

Related terms: The noun forms related to entertainment include entretenimiento or entretención, used to refer to entertainment or pastime activities. Similar verbs include divertir (to amuse) and ocupar (to occupy).

Examples: Yo entretengo a los niños con juegos. El programa de ayer entretuvo a toda la familia. Me entretengo leyendo novelas durante la tarde.