mantenerse en contacto
/manteneɾse en kontaɡto/from spelling rules
To keep in touch in Spanish is mantenerse en contacto.
This phrase is used to express the desire or intent to continue communicating with someone over a period of time.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the reflexive verb mantenerse (to keep oneself) and the prepositional phrase en contacto (in contact).
Which one should you use?
While mantenerse en contacto focuses on the action of maintaining communication, the alternative estar en contacto focuses on the state of being in contact.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In certain regions, the informal expression No nos perdamos el rastro can be used to convey the same sentiment of keeping in touch.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because the phrase uses the reflexive verb mantenerse, you must change the reflexive pronoun to match the person you are talking about. For example, you use mantente for an informal command to a friend or manténgase for a formal command.
How do you pronounce it?
/manteneɾse en kontaɡto/
Did you know?
- In some Spanish-speaking social circles, instead of a formal phrase, you might hear people say Estamos hablando, which literally means 'We are talking', used even when no active conversation is happening to imply a standing connection.
- In many Spanish speaking cultures, saying mantenerse en contacto can be a polite social convention rather than a literal promise to call or write.
- The word contacto is a direct descendant of the Latin contāctus, which comes from tangō, the same root that gave English the word 'tangible'.
Examples in context
- Mantengamos el contacto para futuras colaboraciones.Let's keep in touch for future collaborations.
- ¡Mantente en contacto! Fue genial conocerte.Keep in touch! It was great meeting you.
- ¡Mantengamos el contacto!Let's keep in touch!
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries contacto, en, CC BY-SA 4.0.
