pertenecer

/peɾteneˈθeɾ/ · A2 · verb

to belong

per + tener: to hold through and through, so to belong to

From Latin pertinere: per (thoroughly) + tenere (to hold), the same root as English pertain. Spanish tener (to have) sits inside it, plus the -ecer verb ending. What is held completely by someone belongs to them.

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