The Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) of retener is used to give direct orders or instructions, for example: Retén esa información importante. (Retain that important information.)

Retener is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugations do not follow the typical patterns of regular verbs. You’ll need to memorize its unique set of conjugations for each subject pronoun.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Retener (to retain) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Latin American Spanish):

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

To retain or keep something: For example, Retén esa información en tu mente (Retain that information in your mind).

To hold back or restrain: For example, Retén tus lágrimas (Hold back your tears).

To withhold or keep from paying: For example, Retén parte de tu sueldo para ahorrar (Withhold part of your salary to save).

To detain or keep someone from leaving (colloquial): For example, ¡Retén a ese ladrón hasta que llegue la policía! (Detain that thief until the police arrive!)

To remember or memorize (colloquial): For example, Retén bien las instrucciones (Remember the instructions well).

Examples

Examples of Retener in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands)

¡Retén esta información importante! (Retain this important information!)

Por favor, retenga su boleto hasta que abandonemos el avión. (Please retain your ticket until we leave the plane.)

Antes de firmar el contrato, retengamos los servicios de un abogado. (Before signing the contract, let’s retain the services of a lawyer.)

Señor, retenga la calma y explíquenos qué sucedió. (Sir, retain your calm and explain to us what happened.)

Para mejorar su memoria, retengan estos consejos útiles. (To improve your memory, retain these helpful tips.)

Mamá, retén los recibos por si necesitamos devolverlo. (Mom, retain the receipts in case we need to return it.)

En la reunión, retengamos los puntos clave para discutirlos después. (In the meeting, let’s retain the key points to discuss them later.)

Oye, retenga esa actitud positiva, ¿quieres? (Hey, retain that positive attitude, will you?)

Antes de viajar, retengan una copia de sus documentos importantes. (Before traveling, retain a copy of your important documents.)

Para progresar en su carrera, retenga todo lo que aprenda. (To progress in your career, retain everything you learn.)

¿Podrías retener mi lugar en la fila mientras voy al baño? (Could you retain my place in line while I go to the bathroom?)

Equipo, retengamos nuestra concentración hasta el final del partido. (Team, let’s retain our concentration until the end of the game.)

Aunque sea difícil, retenga la esperanza de que todo mejorará. (Although it’s difficult, retain the hope that everything will improve.)

En esta crisis, retengamos nuestra humanidad y compasión. (In this crisis, let’s retain our humanity and compassion.)

Para tener éxito, retengan su determinación y nunca se rindan. (To be successful, retain your determination and never give up.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Retener (to retain) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Latin American Spanish) with English Translations:

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian 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.