Spanish Conversation · Level 73
59 words
Spanish word
retener
Pronunciation
IPA/reteˈneɾ/
Meaning
- verbretain
Example
No puedo retener toda esa información.
I can't retain all that information.
More examples
La policía decidió retener al sospechoso durante la investigación.
The police decided to hold the suspect in custody during the investigation.
Core concept
Hand gripping a stack of documents.
Common phrases
retener la información
keep the information
Similar words
quedarse: Keeps an item with oneself instead of giving it away or passing it on.
conservar: Preserves an object's condition to keep it usable or looking good over time.
memorizar: Commits information to memory through deliberate study, practice, or repetition.
Definition in Spanish
Mantener algo o a alguien en un lugar o condición para que no se vaya, cambie o se pierda.
Word origin
It comes from Latin retinēre (re- 'back' + tenēre 'to hold'), originally 'hold back' and now meaning to keep something or someone in place or in a condition.
Usage tips
- Collocations shift the meaning: retener información = keep in memory, retener a alguien = detain, retener pagos/fondos = withhold payment, and it does not normally mean 'hire' as English retain does.