mantengo

Mantengo is the first-person singular present indicative form of the Spanish verb mantener. It translates as “I maintain” or “I keep” and is used to express actions or states in the present that involve holding, supporting, or preserving something.

Etymology: Mantener derives from Latin manu tenere, meaning to hold in the hand, and passed into Spanish through older forms such as mantenere/mantener. The modern yo form mantengo reflects irregular patterns characteristic of mantener in the present tense.

Conjugation: In the present indicative, the full paradigm is:

- yo mantengo

- tú mantienes

- él mantiene

- nosotros mantenemos

- vosotros mantenéis

- ellos mantienen

This irregular yo form is typical of mantener, and the stem undergoes a phonetic adjustment in several persons.

Usage: Mantengo can express keeping or sustaining a physical state, a condition, or a commitment: “Mantengo la casa limpia” (I keep the house clean). It also appears in phrases like “mantengo mi promesa” (I keep my promise) and in broader expressions such as “mantenerse al día” (to stay up to date) and “mantener la esperanza” (to maintain/keep hope). The reflexive form “mantenerse” is used for staying in a state or condition, as in “mantenerse activo” (to stay active).

See also: mantener, mantenimiento, conservar, preservar, mantenerse. These terms relate to the broader concept of keeping, preserving, and sustaining something over time.