What does it mean word for word?
The word mantente is a combination of the verb mantener (to keep/maintain) and the reflexive pronoun te (yourself).
Which one should you use?
While mantente informado focuses on receiving information, mantente al tanto is a common idiomatic alternative meaning to 'keep up with' or 'stay on top of' a situation.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Argentina, mantenete informado may be used instead of mantente informado in informal contexts. In Mexico, estar al pendiente can be used interchangeably with estar al tanto to mean 'stay informed' in informal contexts.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase changes based on who you are addressing. Use mantente informado (masculine) as the standard default for a person of unknown gender or a general audience, or mantente informada if addressing a woman specifically. To use the formal 'you' (usted), use manténgase informado. To address a group of people, use manténganse informados.
How do you pronounce it?
/mantente infoɾmado/
Did you know?
- While mantente informado is the standard phrase, speakers in Mexico often say estar al pendiente, where pendiente literally means 'hanging' like an earring.
- The word informado comes from the Latin 'informare', which meant 'to give shape to' the mind or intellect.
- The reflexive structure in mantente makes the phrase feel more active than the English 'stay'. You are literally telling the listener to 'maintain themselves' in a specific state.
Examples in context
- Es fundamental que se mantenga informado sobre los acontecimientos actuales.It's crucial that you stay informed about current events.
- Le recomendamos que permanezca al tanto de los últimos acontecimientos.We recommend that you stay informed about the latest events.
- No te olvides de mantenerte informado sobre lo que ocurre en el mundo.Don't forget to stay informed about what's happening in the world.
- Si quieres tomar decisiones informadas, estate siempre al tanto de las últimas noticias.If you want to make informed decisions, always stay up to date with the latest news.
- Mantente informado con las noticias del periódico.Stay informed with the news from the newspaper.
Example conversation
Lucía and Alejandro are discussing how to follow a local news story.
- LucíaAlejandro, ¿cómo puedo saber qué pasa en la ciudad?Alejandro, how can I know what is happening in the city?
- AlejandroDebes seguir las redes sociales y mantenerte informado.You should follow social media and stay informed.
- LucíaGracias, mantente informado tú también sobre el clima.Thanks, you stay informed about the weather too.
- AlejandroLo haré, Lucía.I will, Lucía.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries informado, CC BY-SA 4.0.
