keep
Mantenere is an Italian verb which means to maintain or keep something in a certain state or condition.
verb
Meaning: to maintain
È importante mantenere una dieta equilibrata.
It is important to maintain a balanced diet.
Meaning: to keep
Mantieni la porta chiusa, per favore.
Please keep the door closed.
Meaning: to sustain
La famiglia si mantiene grazie al lavoro del padre.
The family sustains itself thanks to the father's work.
Meaning: to support
Mi mantengo da solo con il mio stipendio.
I support myself with my salary.
Meaning: to preserve
Dobbiamo fare tutto il possibile per mantenere l'ambiente pulito.
We must do everything possible to preserve the environment clean.
A1: Devi mantenere la promessa che hai fatto.
You must keep the promise you made.
A2: Manteniamo sempre la casa pulita.
We always keep the house clean.
A2: Non riesco a mantenere il mio peso forma.
I can't maintain my ideal weight.
B1: Ho mantenuto il contatto con i miei amici di infanzia.
I kept in touch with my childhood friends.
B2: Se mantieni questo ritmo, finirai il lavoro in tempo.
If you maintain this pace, you will finish the work on time.
B2: Ha mantenuto la sua posizione sulla questione per anni.
He maintained his position on the issue for years.
C1: La compagnia ha mantenuto un alto livello di soddisfazione del cliente.
The company has maintained a high level of customer satisfaction.
C2: Il governo deve mantenere l'equilibrio tra le esigenze economiche e quelle ambientali.
The government must maintain a balance between economic and environmental needs.
C2: Mantenere la calma durante una crisi è essenziale per prendere decisioni razionali.
Maintaining calm during a crisis is essential for making rational decisions.
Mantenere is a versatile verb that can be used in various contexts. It can refer to physical objects, such as maintaining a car or a garden, or it can refer to abstract concepts, such as maintaining relationships or one's health. In essence, mantenere implies the act of preserving or sustaining something over time.
In Italian grammar, mantenere is a regular verb that belongs to the second conjugation. This means that its infinitive form ends in -ere and follows a specific pattern when conjugated. For instance, the present tense conjugation for the first person singular is 'mantengo', while the past participle is 'mantenuto'.
Mantenere is also often used in idiomatic expressions, such as 'mantenere il sangue freddo' (to keep one's cool) or 'mantenere le apparenze' (to keep up appearances). These expressions convey a more figurative meaning of the verb and highlight its versatility in everyday language.