manter

Senses

1. 1.

   to keep, to maintain

   to cause something to continue in a particular state or condition

2. 2.

   to support, to sustain

   to provide financial or material support to someone

3. 3.

   to hold, to retain

   to keep something in one's possession or possession of mind

4. 4.

   to uphold, to stick to

   to continue to assert or stand by (a position, promise, etc.)

Examples

• "É importante manter a calma em situações difíceis."

  It's important to keep calm in difficult situations.

• "Ele mantém a família com seu trabalho."

  He supports his family with his work.

• "Vamos manter contato depois que você se mudar?"

  Will we stay in touch after you move?

Usage

Manter is one of the most common Brazilian Portuguese verbs. It pairs with various nouns to express maintenance: manter contato (stay in touch), manter silêncio (keep silent), manter a compostura (maintain composure). Note the pronunciation stress falls on the final syllable (man-TER).