The Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) of retener is used to give direct orders or instructions to retain or hold onto something, for example Retén esa información. (Retain that information.)

Retener is an irregular verb, meaning its conjugation follows a unique pattern that deviates from the standard rules.

Conjugations

Conjugations of Retener (to retain) in the Imperative Mood (Affirmative Commands) tense (Castilian 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: 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: For example, ¡Retén a ese ladrón hasta que llegue la policía! (Detain that thief until the police arrive!)

To remember or keep in mind (colloquial): For example, Retén esto, no lo olvides. (Remember this, don’t forget it.)

To hold on or wait (colloquial): For example, ¡Retén, que ya voy! (Hold on, I’m coming!)

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 su paciencia mientras procesamos su solicitud. (Sir, please retain your patience while we process your request.)

Amigos, retengan los buenos recuerdos de nuestro viaje. (Friends, retain the good memories from our trip.)

En esta crisis, retengamos la calma y la unidad. (In this crisis, let’s retain calm and unity.)

Jefe, retenga a sus mejores empleados ofreciéndoles incentivos. (Boss, retain your best employees by offering them incentives.)

Estudiantes, retengan lo que aprendieron para el examen final. (Students, retain what you learned for the final exam.)

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

Para mejorar, retengamos los consejos de nuestro entrenador. (To improve, let’s retain our coach’s advice.)

Señoras y señores, retengan sus asientos mientras el avión aterriza. (Ladies and gentlemen, please retain your seats while the plane lands.)

Hijo, retén tus valores y principios a pesar de las dificultades. (Son, retain your values and principles despite the difficulties.)

Compañeros, retengamos nuestra determinación para alcanzar la meta. (Colleagues, let’s retain our determination to reach the goal.)

Ciudadanos, retengan la esperanza en tiempos difíciles. (Citizens, retain hope in difficult times.)

Conjugations with English Translations

Conjugations of Retener (to retain) 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.