mantenere

to maintain

verb mahn-teh-NEH-reh Common

Origin: Latin manu tenere (to hold in hand), via Late Latin mantenere

Also means

to keep

Usage Note

Mantenere conjugates like tenere — irregular: mantengo, mantieni, mantiene, manteniamo, mantenete, mantengono in the present. Takes avere. The reflexive mantenersi means 'to support oneself financially' or 'to stay (in a condition)': mantenersi in forma ('to keep fit'). Distinct from conservare (to preserve) or sostenere (to sustain/support).

Examples

"È difficile mantenere una famiglia con questo stipendio."

Natural Translation

It is difficult to support a family on this salary.

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