French word

soutenir

Pronunciation

IPA/sutəniʁ/

Meaning

  • verbsupport

Example

Je vais soutenir mon ami.

I am going to support my friend.

Illustration for soutenir (support)

More examples

Il faut soutenir les petites entreprises.

It is necessary to support small businesses.

Core concept

A firm support holds up an object and stands behind a person, cause, or claim.

Common phrases

  • soutenir quelqu'un

    support someone

  • soutenir un projet

    support a project

  • soutenir financièrement

    provide financial support

Similar words

aider: Assisting someone in resolving a problem.
encourager: Boosting someone's morale or confidence.
défendre: Defending a person or belief against attacks or criticism.
supporter: Putting up with an unpleasant situation or experience.

Definition in French

Maintenir quelque chose en place ou affirmer et défendre une opinion, une personne ou une position.

Word origin

Soutenir derives from Old French soustenir and Latin sustinere, combining sub 'under' with tenere 'hold' before developing abstract senses of support and defense.

Usage tips

  • Soutenir que introduces an asserted idea and normally takes the indicative, as in je soutiens qu'il a raison.

Other meanings

  • encourageverb
  • backverb

Opposites

Related words

  • soutiensupportnoun
  • soutenusupportedadjective

Word lists with this word