tenersi

to keep oneself; to stay; to keep (to a condition/state)

t e ˈn e r . s i → tenere

verb Uncommon #18,309

to keep oneself; to stay; to keep (to a condition/state) Reflexive infinitive of “tenere”. Common in expressions like “tenersi lontano” (to keep away), “tenersi in forma” (to keep in shape), “tenersi pronto” (to keep ready).

IT: Cerco di tenersi in forma andando a correre tre volte a settimana.

EN: I try to keep in shape by going running three times a week.

Conjugation of tenere

Indicative present

	Singular	Plural
First	tengo	teniamo
Second	tieni	tenete
Third	tiene	tengono

Imperative

	Singular	Plural
First	—	teniamo
Second	tieni	tenete
Third	tenga	—

tenere tenerlo tenerla tenermi tenertitenersitenerle tenerci tenerli tener tenute tenertelo

Subjunctive present

	Singular	Plural
First	tenga	teniamo
Second	tenga	—
Third	tenga	—

Past

tenuto tenuta tenuti

Indicative imperfect

	Singular	Plural
First	tenevo	—
Second	tenevi	—
Third	teneva	—

Indicative past

	Singular	Plural
Third	tenne	—

Indicative future

	Singular	Plural
First	terrò	terremo
Second	terrai	terrete
Third	terrà	—

Present

tenendo

Imperative present

	Singular	Plural
Second	—	tenetevi

Subjunctive imperfect

	Singular	Plural
First	tenessi	—
Second	tenessi	—
Third	tenesse	—

A Tom piace tenersi occupato.

Tom likes to keep himself busy.

Non dire niente, tenersi occupato.

Don't say anything, keep yourself busy.

— Avatar: Fuoco e Cenere (2025)

È ora di tenersi pronti.

It's time to get ready.

E ai rapinatori è stato detto che potevano tenersi i soldi.

And the robbers were told they could keep the money.

— Una pallottola spuntata (2025)

Terzo battaglione, tenersi pronti!

Third Battalion, stand by!

— La battaglia dei tre regni - Parte 1 (2008)

Ma, lo sai, io scommetto che i maiali vorrebbero tenersi le palle.

But, you know, I bet pigs would like to keep their balls.

— Assassination (2015)

È importante tenersi occupati.

It’s important to keep yourself busy.

Deve tenersi pulite le scarpe.

He must keep his shoes clean.

Lei deve tenersi le mani pulite.

She has to keep her hands clean.

A Tom piace tenersi impegnato.

Tom likes to keep busy.

È difficile tenersi al suo passo.

It’s hard to keep up with him.

Deve tenersi le mani pulite.

He must keep his hands clean.

Tenersi per mano.

Holding hands.

— People we meet on vacation - Un amore in vacanza (2026)

Era una grande donna, ma non seppe tenersi il marito.

She was a great woman, but she couldn't keep her husband.

— Una giornata particolare (1977)

La nonna dice anche che bisogna sempre tenersi puliti.

Grandma also says that you should always keep yourself clean.

— Fearless (2006)

A tutte le unità, tenersi pronti a intervenire.

All units, stand ready to respond.

— Mercy - Sotto accusa (2026)