Kilo Lingo

/reteˈneɾ/

Line drawing of retener
Coloured illustration of retener
#4941 of 5,000 Core 5000

Translation

to retain, to hold back

Word origin

From Latin retinere ('to hold back'), from re- ('back') plus tenere ('to hold'). The same root gives English 'retain' and 'retention'.

Origin
Latin
Root
retinere
English cognates
retain, retention

Grammar

Verb type-er irregular (like tener)

Irregular verb. A full conjugation table for irregular verbs is coming soon. For now, use a reference like Wordreference or RAE.

Examples

cuesta .

I find it hard to retain the names of new people.

empleados.

The company wants to retain its best employees.

¿ retienen sueldo ?

Why do they hold back part of your salary each month?

.

Try to hold your breath for five seconds.

mucha .

The sponge can hold a lot of water.

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This word is part of lesson 99.