The Present Tense of Mantener is used to express actions or states that are currently happening or that occur habitually. For example, Mantengo mi auto en buen estado. (I keep my car in good condition.)

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

Conjugations

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

Mantener generally means to maintain or keep something in a certain state or condition, 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). Colloquially, it can also mean “to have an affair,” as in Mantengo una aventura con mi vecina (I’m having an affair with my neighbor).

To feed or provide for: For example, Mantengo a mis hijos con mi sueldo (I provide for my children with my salary).

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.)

Nosotros mantenemos contacto con nuestros amigos por redes sociales. (We keep in touch with our friends through social media.)

Ellos mantienen una relación a distancia. (They maintain a long-distance relationship.)

Tú mantienes un estilo de vida activo, ¿verdad? (You maintain an active lifestyle, right?)

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

Mis padres mantienen las tradiciones familiares. (My parents maintain family traditions.)

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

Ellos mantienen una actitud positiva ante los desafíos. (They maintain a positive attitude in the face of challenges.)

Nosotros mantenemos la esperanza de un futuro mejor. (We maintain hope for a better future.)

Tú mantienes tu apartamento limpio y ordenado. (You keep your apartment clean and tidy.)

La ciudad mantiene programas de reciclaje. (The city maintains recycling programs.)

Ellos mantienen una buena relación con sus vecinos. (They maintain a good relationship with their neighbors.)

¿Cómo mantienes tu motivación para estudiar? (How do you maintain your motivation to study?)

Nosotros mantenemos un estilo de vida sostenible. (We maintain a sustainable lifestyle.)

Conjugations with English Translations

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

This post covers Latin American Spanish. For Castilian 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.