mantenida

Mantenida is a feminine form of the Spanish adjective mantenido and can function as both an adjective and a noun. As an adjective, it describes something that is kept, maintained, or preserved in good condition. As a noun, mantenida can refer to a person who is financially supported by a lover, sponsor, or partner, commonly rendered in English as a “kept woman.” This use is informal and can carry pejorative or stigmatizing connotations depending on the context.

Etymology and usage context: The term derives from mantener, meaning to maintain or support. When used to describe a person in the noun sense, the phrase typically implies a relationship in which the financial arrangements are a significant aspect of the situation. The connotation varies by region and social context, ranging from neutral to critical or sensational in media discourse.

Examples:

- La casa está mantenida y en buen estado de conservación. (The house is well maintained.)

- En algunas crónicas, se menciona a una mantenida para señalar una relación basada en apoyo económico.

Regional variation: In many Spanish-speaking areas, the adjective sense is common in everyday language to denote upkeep, while the noun sense is more restricted and can be charged with social judgment. The acceptability and nuance of the term depend on the speaker, audience, and genre.

See also: mantener, mantenimiento, mantenido, kept woman (as a translation for the noun sense).