Memorize “Retener” conjugations in the Imperfect Tense effortlessly. Our unique loop-based audio helps you absorb verb forms naturally—just like native speakers. Tap to play and start memorizing 10x faster now!

Pro Tip: Play the audio on a loop while reviewing the conjugation chart to naturally absorb the correct forms. Try it now!

Conjugation Chart of “Retener” (to retain) in the Imperfect Tense

Why Use Loop-Based Learning

• 🧠 Activates natural language processing in the brain
• 🔄 Makes conjugations feel automatic
• 📝 Reduces mental effort compared to rote memorization
• 💡 Builds fluency through repetition

Unlike traditional methods that rely on memorizing rules and grammar drills, our approach mimics how native speakers naturally acquire language—by hearing patterns repeatedly in context. This activates your brain’s phonological loop, making verb forms feel familiar and automatic.

To learn more about the science behind this technique, read our detailed article: The Neuroscience of Language Learning: How Listening on a Loop Strengthens Your Fluency

Understanding the Imperfect Tense of “Retener”

The Imperfect Tense of retener is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past, for example, Yo retenía la información para el examen. (I was retaining the information for the exam.)

This verb follows the standard conjugation pattern for regular verbs ending in -er in the Imperfect Tense, with the ending -ía for the first person singular form.

How to Use Retener in the Imperfect Tense

The imperfect tense of retener is used to describe ongoing or repeated actions in the past.

Retaining or keeping something: Por ejemplo, retenía la información en mi mente. (I was retaining the information in my mind.) This meaning can also be used figuratively, like retenía sus lágrimas. (She was holding back her tears.)

Withholding or not releasing: For example, la empresa retenía parte de nuestro salario. (The company was withholding part of our salary.) In a legal context, lo retenían por sospecha de robo. (They were holding him on suspicion of theft.)

Remembering or keeping in mind: Por ejemplo, no retenía los nombres de mis compañeros. (I wasn’t remembering my classmates’ names.) Colloquially, ¿retienes lo que te dije? (Do you remember what I told you?)

Delaying or preventing: For example, el tráfico nos retenía en la carretera. (The traffic was holding us up on the highway.) Or retenía el avance de las tropas enemigas. (He was holding back the advance of the enemy troops.)

Real Life Examples of Retener in the Imperfect Tense

Yo retenía la información con facilidad cuando era joven. (I retained information easily when I was young.)

Ella retenía las lágrimas mientras escuchaba la triste noticia. (She held back tears while listening to the sad news.)

Nosotros retenÍamos el aliento cada vez que el acróbata realizaba un peligroso truco. (We held our breath every time the acrobat performed a dangerous trick.)

Tú retenías mucha agua cuando comías alimentos salados. (You retained a lot of water when you ate salty foods.)

Vosotros reteníais la información mejor cuando tomabais notas a mano. (You retained information better when you took handwritten notes.)

Ellos retenían a los sospechosos hasta que llegara la policía. (They held the suspects until the police arrived.)

La empresa retenía parte de nuestro salario para pagar los impuestos. (The company withheld part of our salary to pay taxes.)

Mamá retenía los regalos hasta el día de Navidad. (Mom held onto the gifts until Christmas Day.)

Ustedes retenían demasiada tensión en los hombros después de un día estresante. (You retained too much tension in your shoulders after a stressful day.)

El entrenador retenía a los jugadores después de la práctica para una charla motivacional. (The coach held the players back after practice for a motivational talk.)

Yo retenía la respiración cada vez que cruzaba un puente alto. (I held my breath every time I crossed a high bridge.)

Las autoridades retenían a los inmigrantes indocumentados en centros de detención. (The authorities held undocumented immigrants in detention centers.)

Tú retenías mucha información trivial pero olvidabas las cosas importantes. (You retained a lot of trivial information but forgot important things.)

Vosotros reteníais los servicios de un abogado para el caso legal. (You retained the services of a lawyer for the legal case.)

Ellas retenían la esperanza de que su situación mejoraría pronto. (They held onto the hope that their situation would improve soon.)

Conjugation Chart with English Translations

Conjugations of Retener (to retain) in the Imperfect Tense (Castilian Spanish) with English Translations:

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

Synonyms

The Imperfect tense is also known as the Past Imperfect, Descriptive Past, Past Progressive, or Imperfect Indicative in English, and as Pretérito Imperfecto, Copretérito, Imperfecto de Indicativo, or Pasado Descriptivo in Spanish.