The Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) of Mantener is used to give direct orders or instructions to maintain or keep something, for example Mantén la calma. (Keep calm.)

Mantener is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugations do not follow the typical patterns of regular verbs.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Mantener (to maintain) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Castilian Spanish):

Mantener generally means to maintain, keep or hold something, but has several different meanings in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands), some of which might surprise you.

To maintain or keep something in a certain state: for example, ¡Mantengan la calma! (Keep calm!), ¡Mantengan el orden! (Keep order!)

To preserve or sustain: for example, ¡Mantengan las tradiciones! (Preserve the traditions!), ¡Mantengan la esperanza! (Sustain hope!)

To continue doing something: for example, ¡Mantengan trabajando! (Keep working!), ¡Mantengan estudiando! (Keep studying!)

To support or provide for someone: for example, ¡Mantengan a sus familias! (Support your families!), ¡Mantengan a sus hijos! (Provide for your children!)

To keep something going or active: for example, ¡Mantengan el motor encendido! (Keep the engine running!), ¡Mantengan la llama viva! (Keep the flame alive!)

Colloquially, to keep or maintain a relationship: for example, ¡Mantengan el romance! (Keep the romance alive!), ¡Mantengan la pasión! (Keep the passion going!)

Examples

Examples of Mantener in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands)

¡Mantén la calma! No hay necesidad de entrar en pánico. (Keep calm! There’s no need to panic.)

Amigos, mantengamos la fe en que todo saldrá bien. (Friends, let’s keep the faith that everything will turn out well.)

Oye, mantén los ojos abiertos por si ves alguna oferta de trabajo interesante. (Hey, keep your eyes open in case you see any interesting job offers.)

Chicos, mantened el orden mientras estoy fuera de la habitación. (Kids, keep things in order while I’m out of the room.)

Señoras y señores, por favor mantengan sus dispositivos electrónicos apagados durante el vuelo. (Ladies and gentlemen, please keep your electronic devices turned off during the flight.)

Oye, mantén la mente abierta a nuevas ideas y experiencias. (Hey, keep an open mind to new ideas and experiences.)

Amigos, mantengamos la tradición viva celebrando juntos esta fiesta. (Friends, let’s keep the tradition alive by celebrating this holiday together.)

Por favor, mantengan sus pertenencias cerca de ustedes en todo momento. (Please keep your belongings close to you at all times.)

Oye, mantén la calma y respira profundamente antes de tomar una decisión importante. (Hey, keep calm and take deep breaths before making an important decision.)

Chicos, mantened el espíritu de equipo y apoyaos mutuamente. (Guys, keep the team spirit and support each other.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Mantener (to maintain) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Castilian Spanish. For Latin American Spanish, click here

Synonyms

The Imperative mood is also known as the Command Form, Affirmative Command Mood, or Direct Command Form in English, and as Modo Imperativo, Imperativo Afirmativo, Mandatos Afirmativos, or Forma de Mandato in Spanish.