to maintain, to keep
hablamos regular endingpienso stem changetengo irregularbusqué spelling change
Presente · What happens now or habitually
Mantengo la casa limpia.
I keep the house clean.
Pretérito · A completed action in the past
Mi hermano mantuvo la calma durante la tormenta.
My brother stayed calm during the storm.
Imperfecto · Ongoing or habitual past; "used to"
Mis padres mantenían a seis hijos.
My parents supported six children.
Futuro · What will happen
Mantendremos el contacto.
We'll keep in touch.
Condicional · What would happen
Yo mantendría la misma rutina.
I'd keep the same routine.
Pretérito perfecto · Has/have done
Esa tienda ha mantenido sus precios.
That store has kept its prices the same.
Pluscuamperfecto · Had done
Mi tía había mantenido la tradición familiar.
My aunt had kept up the family tradition.
Futuro perfecto · Will have done
Para entonces ya habrán mantenido el negocio diez años.
By then they will have kept the business going for ten years.
Condicional perfecto · Would have done
Con disciplina, habrías mantenido el peso.
With discipline, you would have kept the weight off.
Presente de subjuntivo · Wishes, doubts, emotions about the present or future
Es importante que mantengas la calma.
It's important that you stay calm.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-ra) · Hypotheticals and past wishes; the common form
Queríamos que la casa mantuviera su estilo original.
We wanted the house to keep its original style.
Imperfecto de subjuntivo (-se) · Same meaning as -ra; more literary
Nos pidió que mantuviésemos silencio.
She asked us to keep quiet.
Pretérito perfecto de subjuntivo · Subjunctive for something that has happened
Me alegra que haya mantenido su palabra.
I'm glad he has kept his word.
Pluscuamperfecto de subjuntivo · Contrary-to-fact past: "if I had..."
Si hubieran mantenido el carro, seguiría funcionando.
If they had maintained the car, it would still be running.
Imperativo afirmativo · Commands: do it!
Mantén la distancia en la carretera.
Keep your distance on the highway.
Imperativo negativo · Commands: don't do it!
No mantengas esa actitud.
Don't keep that attitude.