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To keep something in a particular state or condition; to preserve or sustain.
Elle maintient sa maison en parfait état.
She maintains her house in perfect condition.
Le gouvernement maintient les prix bas.
The government maintains low prices.
Commonly used in contexts like maintenance, health, relationships, or policies.
To assert or uphold a claim, opinion, or position.
Il maintient qu'il n'a rien fait de mal.
He maintains that he did nothing wrong.
Often used in legal or argumentative contexts.
To support or provide for financially.
Il maintient sa famille avec son salaire.
He supports his family with his salary.
Less common in everyday speech; more formal.
Use 'maintenir' with 'en' for states (e.g., *maintenir en bon état*), 'que' for claims (e.g., *maintenir que...*), and 'à' for conditions (e.g., *maintenir à un niveau bas*).
'Maintenir' implies active effort to preserve a state, while 'garder' is more about keeping possession or a general state (e.g., *garder un secret* vs. *maintenir le secret*).
From Old French *maintenir* (to hold by the hand, support), from Latin *manu tenere* (to hold in the hand), from *manus* (hand) + *tenere* (to hold).
Common in both everyday and formal contexts. The reflexive form *se maintenir* means 'to persist' or 'to remain.'