mantente alerta
/mantente aleɾta/from spelling rules
To say 'stay sharp' in Spanish, use mantente alerta.
While the English phrase 'stay sharp' can sometimes mean staying intelligent or quick-witted, the Spanish equivalent mantente alerta specifically emphasizes being vigilant or watchful for danger or changes in your surroundings.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase mantente alerta is a combination of the reflexive verb mantenerse (to keep oneself) and the adjective alerta (alert).
How does it change in a sentence?
mantente alerta is the informal singular imperative (tú form) used when speaking to one person. Use manténganse alerta when addressing a group of people.
How do you pronounce it?
/mantente aleɾta/
Did you know?
- The word alerta actually traces its roots back to a combination of the Italian words 'alla' and 'erta', which literally means 'to the height'.
- In many Spanish-speaking cultures, if someone tells you to mantente alerta while you are traveling, they might be subtly hinting at pickpockets rather than just general safety.
- If you want to tell someone to 'stay sharp' in the sense of keeping their mind quick, a native speaker is more likely to use mantente espabilado than mantente alerta.
Examples in context
- Mantente alerta.Stay sharp.This sentence is useful for practicing the phrase mantente alerta.Tatoeba #4554703 by swyter, translation #1627331 by Spamster
- No te despistes mientras practicas. Concentración total para alcanzar tus metas personales.Don't get distracted while practicing. Stay fully concentrated to achieve your personal goals.
- Mantente alerta al caminar por la noche.Stay sharp when walking at night.
- Si quieres ganar, mantente alerta todo el tiempo.If you want to win, stay sharp all the time.
Example conversation
Alejandro and Sofía are walking through a crowded market.
- AlejandroHay mucha gente aquí, Sofía.There are a lot of people here, Sofía.
- SofíaSí, tenemos que cuidar nuestras bolsas.Yes, we have to watch our bags.
- AlejandroExacto, mantente alerta en todo momento.Exactly, stay sharp at all times.
- SofíaNo te preocupes, estoy pendiente.Don't worry, I'm paying attention.
Sources
- IPA marked “from spelling rules” is derived from standard Spanish spelling, where Wiktionary gives none.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries alerta, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
