mantiene

Mantiene is a Spanish verb form derived from mantener. It is the third-person singular present indicative, used with él, ella, or usted as the subject: “él mantiene,” “ella mantiene,” “usted mantiene.” The meaning corresponds to “keeps,” “maintains,” or “upholds,” and it can express maintaining an action, a state, a condition, or a position.

Etymology and related forms: Mantener comes from Latin roots linked to holding or supporting, traditionally described as manu tenēre, “to hold in the hand.” Over time, the sense broadened from physical blocking or supporting to preserving, sustaining, and continuing in various contexts. The verb forms include mantienes (tú), mantiene (él/ella/usted), mantenemos (nosotros), mantienen (ellos/ellas/ustedes), with a reflexive counterpart mantenerse used to indicate staying in a state or continuing to be in a certain condition.

Usage and nuances: Mantiene is widely used to express preserving or continuing something, such as a diet, a position, a policy, or a claim. It can also indicate financial support, as in “mantiene a su familia” (he supports his family). In journalism or formal writing, it can introduce a claim or conclusion: “el informe mantiene que…” (the report maintains/claims that…).

Examples:

- Él mantiene una dieta equilibrada.

- Ella mantiene la calma en situaciones difíciles.

- El gobierno mantiene políticas de apoyo a los vecinos.

- Mantiene su promesa desde hace años.

Mantenerse differs in that it is reflexive and means to remain or to keep oneself in a state, such as “se mantiene neutral” (he remains neutral). Mantiene, by contrast, governs objects or states directly.