detain

detener

Mantener las autoridades a alguien bajo su control sin permitirle marcharse.

En inglés sencillo: If officials do this, they hold someone and do not allow them to leave.

• Police detained two men.
• She was detained at the border for three hours.
• Can officers detain someone without giving a reason?

Cómo se usa: detain someone for something (Police detained him for questioning.)

Sinónimos: hold, take into custody

Antónimos: release

Expresiones frecuentes: detain a suspect, detain someone overnight, detain someone legally

retener, demorar

Hacer que alguien permanezca en un lugar más de lo que desea, impidiéndole irse o continuar.

En inglés sencillo: To keep someone somewhere longer than they want, preventing them from leaving or continuing.

• I won't detain you long.
• A last-minute meeting detained her at the office.
• Please don't detain him; he has a train to catch.

Sinónimos: delay, hold up

Expresiones frecuentes: detain someone briefly, detain someone longer, detain someone here

retener, incautar

Retener mercancías por orden oficial, normalmente mientras se comprueba si se puede autorizar su paso.

En inglés sencillo: To take goods and hold them officially, usually while checking whether they can be allowed through.

• Customs officers detained the goods.
• The shipment was detained until its paperwork arrived.
• Officials may detain cargo that contains banned products.

Sinónimos: hold, seize

Antónimos: release

Expresiones frecuentes: detain imported goods, detain a shipment, detain the cargo