Meanings
To keep possession of something; to hold onto.
کسی چیز کی ملکیت برقرار رکھنا؛ پکڑ کر رکھنا۔
رکھنا
rakhna
Common Collocations
- retain control
- retain information
- retain customers
Example Sentences
It is important to retain the original features of the building.
عمارت کی اصلی خصوصیات کو برقرار رکھنا اہم ہے۔
Imarat ki asli khususiyaat ko barqarar rakhna ahem hai.
She tried to retain her composure during the meeting.
اس نے میٹنگ کے دوران اپنی خودداری کو برقرار رکھنے کی کوشش کی۔
Us ne meeting ke doran apni khudari ko barqarar rakhne ki koshish ki.
The university aims to retain talented students.
یونیورسٹی باصلاحیت طلباء کو برقرار رکھنے کا ارادہ رکھتی ہے۔
University basalahiyat talba ko barqarar rakhne ka irada rakhti hai.
Easily Confused With
💡 Memory Tip
Think of a retainers keeping teeth aligned, just like you retain information.
Imagine a file cabinet where all important documents are retained.
✍️ Urdu Poetry
دل سے جو بات نکلتی ہے، اثر رکھتی ہے پر نہیں، طاقتِ گفتار بھی کم نہیں ہے
Dil se jo baat nikalti hai, asar rakhti hai Par nahin, taqat-e-guftaar bhi kam nahin hai
The words that come from the heart have their impact, but the power of speech is not insignificant.
— Allama Iqbal, Bang-e-Dra
* Poetry attribution is AI-generated and may require verification.
🗣️ Urdu Proverb
چھوٹا موٹا کھو دینا ہی ناکامی نہیں ہے
Chhota mota kho dena hi nakami nahi hai
Minor losses do not equate to failure.
📖 Etymology
Origin: Old French "retenir" — to hold back
First known use: 14th century
The word 'retain' originated from the Old French 'retenir', which itself comes from the Latin 'retenere', meaning 'to hold back'. Its usage has evolved in English to mean keeping possession of or continuing to hold an item or memory.