The Present Tense of mantener is used to express actions or states that are currently happening or that occur habitually. For example, Mantengo mi habitación limpia. (I keep my room clean.)

Mantener is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugations do not follow a standard pattern in the present tense. You’ll need to memorize its specific conjugations.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Mantener (to maintain) in the Present Tense tense (Castilian Spanish):

Mantener generally means to maintain or keep something in a certain state, but has several different meanings in the Present Tense, some of which might surprise you.

To maintain or keep: For example, Mantengo mi casa limpia (I keep my house clean).

To support or sustain: For example, Mantengo a mi familia con mi trabajo (I support my family with my job).

To preserve or conserve: For example, Mantenemos las tradiciones de nuestros antepasados (We preserve the traditions of our ancestors).

To continue or persist: For example, Mantengo mi posición sobre este tema (I maintain my position on this topic).

To keep a relationship: For example, Mantenemos una buena amistad (We maintain a good friendship). In some contexts, this could have a sexual connotation.

To feed or provide for: For example, Mantengo a mi perro con comida de calidad (I feed my dog with quality food).

To assert or claim (colloquial): For example, Mantengo que eres un mentiroso (I maintain that you’re a liar).

Examples

Examples of Mantener in the Present Tense

Yo mantengo una dieta saludable para sentirme bien. (I maintain a healthy diet to feel good.)

Mi hermana mantiene un blog sobre viajes. (My sister maintains a travel blog.)

En la oficina, mantenemos un ambiente profesional. (At the office, we maintain a professional environment.)

¿Mantienes contacto con tus amigos de la infancia? (Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends?)

La empresa mantiene altos estándares de calidad. (The company maintains high quality standards.)

Mis padres mantienen la tradición de celebrar juntos en Navidad. (My parents maintain the tradition of celebrating together at Christmas.)

¿Mantenéis un estilo de vida activo? (Do you all maintain an active lifestyle?)

Los atletas mantienen una rutina de entrenamiento rigurosa. (Athletes maintain a rigorous training routine.)

En este restaurante, mantenemos los platos frescos y sabrosos. (At this restaurant, we keep the dishes fresh and tasty.)

¿Cómo mantienes el equilibrio entre el trabajo y la vida personal? (How do you maintain a work-life balance?)

Los vecinos mantienen un jardín comunitario. (The neighbors maintain a community garden.)

Ella mantiene una actitud positiva incluso en tiempos difíciles. (She maintains a positive attitude even in difficult times.)

¿Mantenéis el contacto con vuestros familiares que viven lejos? (Do you all keep in touch with your relatives who live far away?)

Los expertos mantienen que el ejercicio regular es clave para la salud. (Experts maintain that regular exercise is key to health.)

Es importante mantener una mente abierta y curiosa. (It’s important to maintain an open and curious mind.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Mantener (to maintain) in the Present Tense tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

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

Synonyms

The Present tense is also known as the Simple Present, Present Simple, Present Tense, or Present Indicative in English, and as Presente de Indicativo, Presente Simple, Tiempo Presente, or Indicativo Presente in Spanish.