French Conversation · Level 20
90 words
French word
tenir
Pronunciation
IPA/təniʁ/
Meaning
- verbhold
Example
Il tient le livre.
He holds the book.
More examples
Il tient bon malgré la fatigue.
He holds firm despite the fatigue.
Core concept
A hand keeps an object, promise, event, or condition firmly in place.
Common phrases
tenir bon
hold firm
tenir la porte
hold the door
tenir sa parole
keep one's word
Similar words
avoir: Own something or possess a right to it.
garder: Take care of someone or something kept in one's charge.
saisir: Catch hold of something quickly and forcefully.
porter: Carry something from place to place or wear it.
Definition in French
Tenir veut dire garder quelque chose en sa possession ou sous son influence et le conserver; on l'emploie aussi pour maintenir une promesse, organiser une réunion ou conserver un état.
Word origin
Tenir comes from Latin tenere, meaning 'to hold', through Old French.
Usage tips
- For simple possession, avoir is usually more natural than tenir; tenir emphasizes holding, control, or keeping something in place.
Other meanings
- retainverb
- keepverb
Opposites
- abandonnerabandonverb
- relâcherloosenverb