در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Sticking to a mistake despite being proven wrong.
- Used to describe stubbornness in debates or arguments.
- More about pride than the actual mistake itself.
معنی
This phrase describes the act of stubbornly sticking to a mistake even after you've been corrected. It's that moment when you know you're wrong, but you keep arguing your point anyway just to save face.
مثالهای کلیدی
3 از 6Debating a movie fact with a friend
Il sait qu'il se trompe, mais il veut tenir l'erreur.
He knows he's wrong, but he wants to stick to the error.
A colleague refusing to fix a document
Ne continuez pas à tenir l'erreur, changez simplement le chiffre.
Don't keep holding onto the error, just change the number.
Texting a sibling about a silly argument
Tu vas tenir l'erreur jusqu'à demain ?
Are you going to keep being wrong until tomorrow?
زمینه فرهنگی
In French intellectual culture, 'avoir raison' (being right) is highly valued. Admitting a mistake can be seen as a sign of weakness in a formal debate, leading many to 'tenir l'erreur' longer than in other cultures. In Quebec, the phrase is used similarly, but you might also hear 's'entêter' or 'être de mauvaise foi' more frequently in casual conversation. Belgian French speakers might use 'tenir l'erreur' but often follow it with a more direct correction. The culture is generally seen as slightly more pragmatic and less prone to long intellectual stubbornness than Parisian culture. In Swiss French, precision is key. 'Tenir l'erreur' is viewed quite negatively in professional contexts where accuracy and consensus are prioritized.
Use with 'pourquoi'
Asking 'Pourquoi tiens-tu l'erreur ?' is a polite but firm way to challenge someone's stubbornness.
Don't use for yourself
Saying 'Je tiens l'erreur' sounds like you are admitting to being a liar. Use 'Je me suis trompé' instead.
در ۱۵ ثانیه
- Sticking to a mistake despite being proven wrong.
- Used to describe stubbornness in debates or arguments.
- More about pride than the actual mistake itself.
What It Means
Imagine you are arguing that Paris is the capital of Italy. Someone shows you a map. Instead of saying 'Oops,' you keep insisting you are right. That is tenir l'erreur. It is not just about making a mistake; it is about 'holding' it like a shield. You are refusing to let go of a false statement or a wrong action. It implies a mix of pride and stubbornness. It is like holding a hot coal and refusing to drop it even though it burns.
How To Use It
You use this phrase when you want to call out someone's stubbornness. You can use the verb tenir just like you would in English. It often follows verbs like vouloir (to want) or continuer à (to continue to). For example, you might say, 'Why do you want to tenir l'erreur?' It sounds a bit more active than just being wrong. It suggests the person is making a conscious choice to stay incorrect. It is a great way to describe that 'doubling down' behavior we see so often.
When To Use It
This is perfect for those annoying debates with friends. Use it when your brother insists he didn't eat your leftovers despite having crumbs on his face. It also works in professional settings when a colleague refuses to fix a bug because they think their logic is perfect. You can use it in a text message when someone is being particularly dense. It is a neutral but firm way to point out that someone is being illogical. It is very useful in any situation involving a 'joute verbale' (verbal joust).
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for a simple, honest mistake. If someone accidentally trips, they aren't 'holding the error.' They just fell. Also, avoid using this in very formal legal contexts where commettre une erreur (to commit an error) is the standard term. It is a bit too descriptive of someone's personality for a police report! If you are just learning, don't confuse it with faire une erreur, which is the basic way to say 'to make a mistake.'
Cultural Background
In France, the art of conversation is practically a national sport. Admitting you are wrong can sometimes feel like losing a match. This has led to the 'esprit de contradiction'—the tendency to argue just for the sake of it. Tenir l'erreur captures this cultural quirk perfectly. It reflects a society that values intellectual rigor but also possesses a healthy dose of stubborn pride. Historically, French philosophy has always emphasized logic, so refusing to follow logic is a specific kind of social 'sin.'
Common Variations
If you want to sound more formal, you can use persister dans l'erreur (to persist in the error). If you want to be more casual or even a bit mean, you can say s'entêter (to be pig-headed). Another colorful version is s'enferrer dans l'erreur, which literally means to 'impale yourself' on your own mistake. If you just want to say someone is wrong without the stubborn part, stick to se tromper. But for that specific 'I'm not listening' vibe, tenir l'erreur is your best friend.
نکات کاربردی
This is a neutral phrase but carries a punch because it targets someone's ego. Use it when the evidence is clear but the person is not budging.
Use with 'pourquoi'
Asking 'Pourquoi tiens-tu l'erreur ?' is a polite but firm way to challenge someone's stubbornness.
Don't use for yourself
Saying 'Je tiens l'erreur' sounds like you are admitting to being a liar. Use 'Je me suis trompé' instead.
The 'Son' variation
Use 'Il tient *son* erreur' to make it sound like the mistake is their precious possession. It adds a touch of irony.
The 'Mauvaise Foi' link
This phrase is the perfect way to describe 'mauvaise foi' (bad faith), a very important concept in French social dynamics.
مثالها
6Il sait qu'il se trompe, mais il veut tenir l'erreur.
He knows he's wrong, but he wants to stick to the error.
Focuses on the friend's choice to remain incorrect.
Ne continuez pas à tenir l'erreur, changez simplement le chiffre.
Don't keep holding onto the error, just change the number.
Professional but firm correction.
Tu vas tenir l'erreur jusqu'à demain ?
Are you going to keep being wrong until tomorrow?
Playful teasing about their stubbornness.
Pourquoi tiens-tu l'erreur alors que je t'explique la vérité ?
Why do you cling to the mistake when I'm explaining the truth?
Expresses frustration at a lack of communication.
Le ministre a préféré tenir l'erreur plutôt que de s'excuser.
The minister preferred to stick to the error rather than apologize.
Formal observation of public behavior.
J'ai eu tort de tenir l'erreur si longtemps.
I was wrong to hold onto the mistake for so long.
Self-reflection and admission of fault.
خودت رو بسنج
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'tenir l'erreur'.
Même si la carte dit le contraire, il _______.
We use 'tenir' to show he is refusing to admit the map is right.
Which sentence describes someone being stubborn?
Choose the best option:
The presence of 'malgré' (despite) and 'tenir' indicates stubbornness.
Match the reaction to the situation.
Situation: You show your friend a photo that proves they weren't at the party, but they still say they were.
Refusing to admit the truth in the face of evidence is 'tenir l'erreur'.
Fill in the missing line.
A: 'C'est 10 euros.' B: 'Non, c'est 5.' A: 'Regarde l'étiquette, c'est 10.' B: 'L'étiquette est fausse !' A: 'Arrête de _______ !'
Speaker B is clearly being stubborn despite the label.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
ابزارهای بصری یادگیری
Faire vs. Tenir
بانک تمرین
4 تمرینهاMême si la carte dit le contraire, il _______.
We use 'tenir' to show he is refusing to admit the map is right.
Choose the best option:
The presence of 'malgré' (despite) and 'tenir' indicates stubbornness.
Situation: You show your friend a photo that proves they weren't at the party, but they still say they were.
Refusing to admit the truth in the face of evidence is 'tenir l'erreur'.
A: 'C'est 10 euros.' B: 'Non, c'est 5.' A: 'Regarde l'étiquette, c'est 10.' B: 'L'étiquette est fausse !' A: 'Arrête de _______ !'
Speaker B is clearly being stubborn despite the label.
🎉 امتیاز: /4
سوالات متداول
10 سوالIt can be. It's a direct criticism of someone's honesty or pride. Use it carefully with superiors.
Yes, but it's usually reserved for when the person *continues* to argue after being corrected.
The opposite is 'reconnaître ses torts' (to recognize one's wrongs).
Yes, often to describe a company or leader who won't change a failing strategy.
No, it's almost always 'l'erreur' (the specific error being discussed) or 'son erreur'.
Yes, especially in comedies where a character is caught in a lie but keeps going.
Use 'J'ai tenu l'erreur'.
A common slang way to say this is 'forcer' (to force it).
Only if the person insists the typo is actually the correct spelling!
It's used throughout the French-speaking world, but the culture of debate in Paris makes it a frequent topic.
عبارات مرتبط
s'entêter
synonymTo be stubborn
ne pas en démordre
similarTo not let go of a point
avoir la tête dure
similarTo be hard-headed
persévérer dans l'erreur
formal formTo persevere in error
faire amende honorable
contrastTo admit one's fault and apologize
