maintenir

Maintenir is a French verb meaning to keep, to maintain, to uphold, or to sustain. It can refer to keeping a device or system in good condition, maintaining a position or course, or sustaining a state or relationship over time.

Etymology and classification: The verb derives from Old French maintenir, from Latin manutenere, a compound of manus (hand) and tenere (to hold). The sense of holding or keeping remains central in modern usage. It belongs to the tenir verb family and is irregular in several forms.

Conjugation: Present indicative forms are je maintiens, tu maintiens, il maintient, nous maintenons, vous maintenez, ils maintiennent. Passe composé uses the auxiliary avoir: j'ai maintenu. Imperfect: je maintenais. Future: je maintiendrai. Conditional: je maintiendrais. Subjonctif: que je maintienne, que tu maintiennes, qu'il maintienne, que nous maintenions, que vous mainteniez, qu'ils maintiennent.

Usage notes and examples: Maintenir covers practical upkeep (Maintenir un appareil en bon état), continuity of course or policy (Maintenir l’ordre, maintenir le cap), and preservation of relationships or conditions (Maintenir une amitié). It is also common in technical contexts to express sustained operation or compliance with standards. Examples: Il faut maintenir la température à 20 degrés. Elle parvient à maintenir son calme.

Related terms: le maintien (the act of maintaining; a support), la maintenance (maintenance as a service), maintenable (maintainable). Related verbs include tenir, garder, préserver, soutenir. The concept centers on holding something in a desired state over time.