Retenido (en. Held)

/reteˈnido/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishSpanish
adjective
Refers to something that has been stopped or cannot continue.
The truck was held at customs.
El camión quedó retenido en la aduana.
Applies to a person who has been arrested or captured.
The suspect was held by the police.
El sospechoso fue retenido por la policía.
Used in a financial context to designate funds that have been blocked.
The money was held until the conflict was resolved.
El dinero fue retenido hasta que se resolviera el conflicto.

Etymology

From the verb 'retener', which comes from the Latin 'retenere'.

Common Phrases and Expressions

held at customs
Refers to goods that are being inspected or cannot be released at customs.
retenido en aduana
held by the police
indicates that someone has been arrested or is in custody.
retenido por la policía
held funds
Money that has been blocked or cannot be used temporarily.
fondos retenidos

Related Words

retention
Action of holding something, especially money.
retención
detention
Group of people that limits or controls the passage of something.
reten
to retain
To keep something under control or in its place.
retener

Slang Meanings

To be in trouble with the police.
That guy has been held all night.
Ese tipo ha estado retenido toda la noche.
To be caught in a difficult situation.
I feel stuck in this dead-end job.
Me siento retenido en este trabajo sin futuro.