Translation
to retain, to hold back
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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
Conjugation
Regular spanish-irregular conjugation. Pronouns: yo, tú, él/ella/ud., nos., vos., ellos/uds..
Indicative
| Person | Present | Preterite | Imperfect | Future | Conditional |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| yo | retengo | retuve | retenía | retendré | retendría |
| tú | retienes | retuviste | retenías | retendrás | retendrías |
| él/ella/ud. | retiene | retuvo | retenía | retendrá | retendría |
| nos. | retenemos | retuvimos | reteníamos | retendremos | retendríamos |
| vos. | retenéis | retuvisteis | reteníais | retendréis | retendríais |
| ellos/uds. | retienen | retuvieron | retenían | retendrán | retendrían |
Subjunctive
| Person | Present | Imperfect (-ra) | Imperfect (-se) |
|---|---|---|---|
| yo | retenga | retuviera | retuviese |
| tú | retengas | retuvieras | retuvieses |
| él/ella/ud. | retenga | retuviera | retuviese |
| nos. | retengamos | retuviéramos | retuviésemos |
| vos. | retengáis | retuvierais | retuvieseis |
| ellos/uds. | retengan | retuvieran | retuviesen |
Imperative
| Person | Affirmative |
|---|---|
| tú | reten |
| ud. | retenga |
| nosotros | retengamos |
| vosotros | retened |
| uds. | retengan |
Non-finite
- Gerund / present participle
- reteniendo
- Past participle
- retenido
Examples
.
I find it hard to retain the names of new people.
.
The company wants to retain its best employees.
¿ ?
Why do they hold back part of your salary each month?
.
Try to hold your breath for five seconds.
.
The sponge can hold a lot of water.
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Spanish · Free printables
retener: worksheet, infographic and listicle
Free printable study downloads for the Spanish word "retener" (to retain, to hold back): a worksheet with the answer key built in, an infographic, and a sentence listicle. Open any one to view, print or save.
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Start your free weekThis word is taught in chapter 52, lesson 6: retener, jubilación, mineral and 7 more words.