sostener
To hold, to grasp, carry, or keep in position.
Sostener implies providing the necessary support—physical, financial, or intellectual—to keep something standing or valid.
Word in 30 Seconds
- To physically support or hold something in place.
- To defend or maintain an argument or opinion.
- To provide financial support for a person or project.
Summary
Sostener implies providing the necessary support—physical, financial, or intellectual—to keep something standing or valid.
- To physically support or hold something in place.
- To defend or maintain an argument or opinion.
- To provide financial support for a person or project.
Focus on the physical support
Visualize the word as a pillar or a hand holding something up. If you are struggling, think of the English word 'sustain' as a cousin.
Don't confuse with 'mantener'
While they overlap, use 'sostener' for physical weight and 'mantener' for preserving a state or condition. They are often interchangeable but have subtle nuances.
Use in formal debates
In Spanish, using 'sostengo que' is a very sophisticated way to state your position in a debate. It sounds much more professional than 'pienso que'.
Examples
4 of 4Sostén la caja mientras abro la puerta.
Hold the box while I open the door.
El experto sostiene que los datos son correctos.
The expert maintains that the data is correct.
Me sostuve de la silla para no caer.
I held onto the chair so I wouldn't fall.
El gobierno sostiene el programa de becas.
The government supports the scholarship program.
Word Family
Memory Tip
Think of a 'sustenance' for your body; it holds you up. Similarly, 'sostener' holds things up, whether they are physical objects or arguments.
Panorama general
'Sostener' es un verbo versátil en español que deriva del latín 'sustinere'. Su significado principal es físico, relacionado con cargar el peso de algo, pero ha evolucionado para abarcar conceptos abstractos como la argumentación y la manutención. Es un verbo irregular, por lo que su conjugación en presente cambia a 'sostengo' en la primera persona.
Patrones de uso
Se emplea frecuentemente de forma transitiva (sostener algo). Cuando se usa para defender una idea, suele ir seguido de una conjunción como 'que' (e.g., 'Sostengo que tienes razón'). También se usa en forma reflexiva ('sostenerse') para indicar mantenerse en pie o equilibrarse.
Contextos comunes
En el ámbito físico, es común ver 'sostener' en situaciones cotidianas como cargar un libro o una bolsa. En contextos formales, se usa para hablar de posturas ideológicas o políticas. Finalmente, en el ámbito económico, se refiere a proveer lo necesario para que alguien viva, como en 'sostener a la familia'.
Comparación con palabras similares
A diferencia de 'agarrar' (que implica un contacto físico fuerte y momentáneo), 'sostener' implica un esfuerzo continuo o una posición prolongada. Mientras que 'mantener' se enfoca en conservar un estado, 'sostener' pone mayor énfasis en el soporte o la base que permite que algo se mantenga.
Usage Notes
The verb 'sostener' is widely used in both formal and informal registers. In formal settings, it is preferred for academic or legal arguments. In daily life, it is perfectly natural for physical tasks.
Common Mistakes
Many learners try to use 'sostener' for every instance of 'to hold'. Remember that for objects you carry in your hands while walking, 'llevar' is often more natural. Also, watch out for the irregular conjugation in the first person: it is 'sostengo', not 'sosteno'.
Memory Tip
Think of a 'sustenance' for your body; it holds you up. Similarly, 'sostener' holds things up, whether they are physical objects or arguments.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'sustinere', which is a combination of 'sub' (up from under) and 'tenere' (to hold). It literally means to hold something from underneath.
Cultural Context
In Spanish culture, 'sostener' is often used in political discourse to show conviction. It implies that a person is not just stating a fact, but is willing to stand by their claim.
Examples
Sostén la caja mientras abro la puerta.
everydayHold the box while I open the door.
El experto sostiene que los datos son correctos.
formalThe expert maintains that the data is correct.
Me sostuve de la silla para no caer.
informalI held onto the chair so I wouldn't fall.
El gobierno sostiene el programa de becas.
academicThe government supports the scholarship program.
Word Family
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
sostener la mirada
to hold someone's gaze
sostener el ritmo
to keep up the pace
sostener una teoría
to support a theory
Often Confused With
Mantener focuses on keeping something in a specific state or condition over time. Sostener is more about providing the structural or physical support for that thing.
Agarrar refers to the act of grabbing or seizing something with your hands. Sostener implies the continued act of holding it up.
Grammar Patterns
Focus on the physical support
Visualize the word as a pillar or a hand holding something up. If you are struggling, think of the English word 'sustain' as a cousin.
Don't confuse with 'mantener'
While they overlap, use 'sostener' for physical weight and 'mantener' for preserving a state or condition. They are often interchangeable but have subtle nuances.
Use in formal debates
In Spanish, using 'sostengo que' is a very sophisticated way to state your position in a debate. It sounds much more professional than 'pienso que'.
Test Yourself
Completa la oración con la forma correcta del verbo.
Él ___ la pared para que no se caiga.
Se requiere la tercera persona del singular (él) para concordar con el sujeto.
Elige el significado correcto en este contexto: 'Ella sostiene su opinión'.
Significado de sostener aquí:
En este caso, no es físico, sino intelectual.
Ordena las palabras para formar una oración.
familia / sostiene / él / a / su / .
Es el orden lógico: Sujeto + Verbo + Objeto.
Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsAgarrar implica un movimiento rápido o un agarre firme con la mano. Sostener implica mantener algo en una posición durante más tiempo o soportar su peso.
Sí, es irregular. Cambia la 'e' por 'ie' en el presente (sostienes) y tiene una forma especial en la primera persona del presente: yo sostengo.
Se usa para decir que alguien defiende firmemente una creencia. Por ejemplo: 'Ella sostiene que el cambio es necesario'.
Exacto, se usa para decir que alguien provee el sustento económico. Por ejemplo: 'Él sostiene a toda su familia con su salario'.
Related Vocabulary
More general words
abajo
A1Down, downstairs, below.
abandonar
B1To leave a place or person, often permanently.
abierta
A1Open (female); not closed or restricted.
abierto
A1Open.
abierto/a
A2Not closed or sealed; open.
Abrir
A1To open
absolutamente
A2Completely, totally, or without qualification.
abstención
B2Abstention, the act of refraining from voting or participation.
abstenerse
B2To abstain, refrain, or hold oneself back from doing something.
Abundancia
B2A large quantity or ample supply of something; plentifulness.
