في 15 ثانية
- Means 'keep me posted' or 'keep me in the loop'.
- Uses the metaphor of a flow or current of information.
- Essential for professional follow-ups and social planning.
المعنى
This phrase is the French way of saying 'keep me posted' or 'keep me in the loop.' It's about staying updated on a situation rather than being interrogated.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Ending a job interview
Merci pour cet entretien, tenez-moi au courant de votre décision.
Thank you for this interview, keep me posted on your decision.
Texting a friend about a party
Je ne sais pas encore si je viens, je te tiens au courant !
I don't know if I'm coming yet, I'll keep you posted!
Checking on a sick relative
Tiens-nous au courant de ce que dit le médecin.
Keep us updated on what the doctor says.
خلفية ثقافية
In French corporate culture, 'tenir au courant' is part of the 'devoir d'information' (duty to inform). It is expected that subordinates keep their managers updated without being asked. While 'tenir au courant' is perfectly standard, Quebecers often use 'Je te reviens' (I'll get back to you), which is a calque from English but very common in casual speech. The phrase is often used with 'on est ensemble' (we are together) to emphasize social solidarity and the importance of sharing news within the community. In high-level administration, the phrase is often replaced by 'tenir informé' or 'rendre compte' (to report), which sounds more official and less 'fluid' than 'courant.'
The 'De' Rule
Always use 'de' to link the phrase to a topic. 'Je te tiens au courant DE la fête' is much better than using 'pour'.
Avoid 'Garder'
Even though 'keep' is 'garder,' saying 'garder au courant' is a common English-speaker mistake that sounds unnatural.
في 15 ثانية
- Means 'keep me posted' or 'keep me in the loop'.
- Uses the metaphor of a flow or current of information.
- Essential for professional follow-ups and social planning.
What It Means
Think of the word courant as a flow of water or electricity. When you use tenir au courant, you are asking someone to keep you in that flow of information. It is not about being questioned or interrogated. It is about staying informed. You want to know the latest news on a specific topic. It is one of the most common phrases in France. You will hear it in offices and at dinner parties alike.
How To Use It
You usually use it with a reflexive pronoun or an object. To say 'keep me posted,' you say tiens-moi au courant. If you are the one doing the updating, you say je te tiens au courant. It works perfectly with the verb se tenir if you are keeping yourself updated. Use it with the preposition de to specify the topic. For example, tiens-moi au courant de la situation. It is flexible and very easy to conjugate.
When To Use It
Use it whenever there is a pending decision or an ongoing event. Use it after a job interview to ask for news. Use it when a friend is house-hunting. It is perfect for those 'let's see' moments in life. It works well in professional emails to show you are following a project. It is also great for making plans that aren't quite solid yet. If your friend is sick, ask them to me tenir au courant on how they feel.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this if the information is a one-time fact. If you just need to know the time, don't use it. Avoid it if you are actually being interrogated by the police. That would be interroger or cuisiner. It is also not for deep, philosophical secrets. It is for news, updates, and developments. Don't use it for things that have already finished completely. It implies a process that is still moving along.
Cultural Background
France is a country of long lunches and even longer debates. Staying 'in the flow' is a social necessity. The phrase likely comes from the idea of a river's current. If you aren't in the current, you are stuck on the bank. In the 19th century, it became linked to the 'current' of electricity and news. It reflects the French desire to stay connected to the social and professional 'flow'. It is a polite way to end a conversation without saying a final goodbye.
Common Variations
You might hear garder au jus in very casual settings. Jus means juice, but here it means electricity or 'the scoop'. Another variation is mettre au courant. This means 'to inform someone' for the first time. If you want to sound more formal, you can use tenir informé. However, tenir au courant remains the gold standard for daily life. It is the perfect balance of friendly and professional.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This phrase is incredibly versatile. It sits right in the middle of the formality scale, making it safe for almost any situation from texting your mom to emailing a client.
The 'De' Rule
Always use 'de' to link the phrase to a topic. 'Je te tiens au courant DE la fête' is much better than using 'pour'.
Avoid 'Garder'
Even though 'keep' is 'garder,' saying 'garder au courant' is a common English-speaker mistake that sounds unnatural.
Polite Exit
Use 'On se tient au courant' to end a conversation when you don't want to make firm plans yet. It's polite and non-committal.
أمثلة
6Merci pour cet entretien, tenez-moi au courant de votre décision.
Thank you for this interview, keep me posted on your decision.
A polite, professional way to request a follow-up.
Je ne sais pas encore si je viens, je te tiens au courant !
I don't know if I'm coming yet, I'll keep you posted!
Very common in casual planning via text.
Tiens-nous au courant de ce que dit le médecin.
Keep us updated on what the doctor says.
Shows care and concern for a developing situation.
Quoi ? Elle sort avec lui ? Tu aurais pu me tenir au courant !
What? She's dating him? You could have kept me in the loop!
Used playfully when you're the last to know the gossip.
Je vous tiendrai au courant de l'avancement du dossier.
I will keep you updated on the progress of the file.
Standard professional phrasing for updates.
Le livreur doit m'appeler, je te tiens au courant dès qu'il arrive.
The delivery guy should call me, I'll let you know as soon as he arrives.
Used for immediate, short-term updates.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the missing verb and article to complete the phrase.
Je vous ___ ___ courant dès que possible.
The standard phrase is 'tenir au courant.' 'Garder' is an Anglicism, and 'mets' would mean 'to inform for the first time.'
Which sentence correctly uses the reflexive form to mean 'I stay informed'?
Comment dit-on 'I stay informed about the news'?
The reflexive form 'se tenir au courant' is used for keeping oneself updated.
Complete the dialogue with the most natural response.
A: 'Tu as des nouvelles de Paul ?' B: 'Pas encore, il doit m'appeler ce soir. ___.'
B is promising to give A the news once they receive it.
Match the phrase to the correct context.
Match: 1. 'Mettre au courant' | 2. 'Tenir au courant' | 3. 'Être au courant'
Être = state of knowing; Mettre = initial act; Tenir = maintenance of info.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Tenir vs Mettre
بنك التمارين
4 تمارينJe vous ___ ___ courant dès que possible.
The standard phrase is 'tenir au courant.' 'Garder' is an Anglicism, and 'mets' would mean 'to inform for the first time.'
Comment dit-on 'I stay informed about the news'?
The reflexive form 'se tenir au courant' is used for keeping oneself updated.
A: 'Tu as des nouvelles de Paul ?' B: 'Pas encore, il doit m'appeler ce soir. ___.'
B is promising to give A the news once they receive it.
Match: 1. 'Mettre au courant' | 2. 'Tenir au courant' | 3. 'Être au courant'
Être = state of knowing; Mettre = initial act; Tenir = maintenance of info.
🎉 النتيجة: /4
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss, your friends, or a stranger. It's one of the safest phrases in French.
Yes, but 'informé' is slightly more formal and less common in casual conversation than 'au courant.'
'Mettre au courant' is to tell someone something they didn't know. 'Tenir au courant' is to continue giving updates.
Use the passé composé: 'Je l'ai tenu au courant.' Remember that 'tenu' is the past participle.
It is always 'au courant.' 'Du courant' would refer to the actual electrical current or water flow.
Yes, it is the most common translation for 'I'll let you know' in French.
Yes, 'tenir au jus' is the most common informal/slang version.
No, unless it follows a phrase that triggers the subjunctive, like 'Il faut que je te tienne au courant.'
In French, 'about' is translated as 'de' in this context. 'Tenir au courant de...'
Absolutely. It's a standard way to end an email: 'Je vous tiens au courant de la suite.'
عبارات ذات صلة
mettre au courant
similarTo inform someone for the first time.
être au courant
similarTo be aware of something.
mettre au parfum
specialized formTo let someone in on a secret.
donner des nouvelles
synonymTo give news.
tenir en haleine
contrastTo keep someone in suspense.
