sostener
/sosteˈneɾ/
To hold in Spanish is sostener.
The verb sostener is used when the focus is on the physical act of supporting or preventing something from falling.
Which one should you use?
While sostener focuses on supporting or sustaining weight, other verbs are used for different nuances of 'to hold'. Use agarrar to express the general idea of holding or grasping. Use sujetar when the goal is to keep something from moving or to fasten it in place. Do not use sostener to mean 'to hold' in the sense of possessing or having something in one's possession. Use tener for that.
How does it change in a sentence?
In the first-person singular present indicative, 'I hold' is sostengo. For the preterite (past tense) form 'I held', use sostuve.
How do you pronounce it?
/sosteˈneɾ/
Did you know?
- In Spanish, the verb sostener can be used to describe a person's financial support of a family, meaning 'to provide for' or 'to support' them.
- The verb sostener is a direct descendant of the Latin sustinēre, which combines the prefix 'sub-' meaning 'from below' with 'tenēre' meaning 'to hold'.
- The root of sostener is also found in the English word 'tenacious', which describes someone who holds onto a position or idea firmly.
Examples in context
- Sostuve la puerta abierta para que pudieran pasar.I held the door open for them to pass.
- La niña agarró su muñeca con fuerza.The girl held her doll tightly.
- ¡No aguanto más esta situación!I can't handle this situation anymore!
- Coge este objeto y no lo sueltes.Hold/grab this object and don't let go.
- El caballero empuñó la espada con destreza.The knight held the sword skillfully.
- Puedes sostener la bandeja un momento?Can you hold the tray for a moment?
- Él no puede sostener el bebé con una mano.He cannot hold the baby with one hand.
Example conversation
Daniel and Elena are in the kitchen preparing a meal.
- DanielElena, ¿puedes sostener esta caja?Elena, can you hold this box?
- ElenaSí, pásamela, Daniel.Yes, pass it to me, Daniel.
- DanielEs muy pesada para sostenerla solo.It is very heavy to hold alone.
- ElenaNo te preocupes, yo la sostengo.Don't worry, I will hold it.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry sostener, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries sostener, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
