A2 Idiom 격식체

prêter main forte

to lend a hand

To provide assistance.

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문화적 배경

In France, 'prêter main forte' is often associated with 'les corvées de voisinage' (neighborly chores), a long-standing tradition of mutual aid in villages. In Quebec, the phrase is used similarly but might be heard more frequently in community-based volunteering contexts ('bénévolat'). In countries like Senegal or Ivory Coast, the concept of community help is very strong, and this phrase is used to describe the collective effort of a 'quartier' (neighborhood). In Belgian administrative French, 'prêter main-forte' is a technical term used when the police assist a bailiff ('huissier') to enter a property.

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The 'No Article' Rule

Always remember: prêter main forte. Adding 'une' is the most common mistake for English speakers.

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Not for Money

Never use this for lending money. Use 'prêter de l'argent' or 'dépanner' instead.

To provide assistance.

💡

The 'No Article' Rule

Always remember: prêter main forte. Adding 'une' is the most common mistake for English speakers.

⚠️

Not for Money

Never use this for lending money. Use 'prêter de l'argent' or 'dépanner' instead.

🎯

Workplace Magic

Use this in professional emails to sound helpful yet professional. It sounds much better than 'aider' or 'donner un coup de main.'

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Solidarity

Using this phrase shows you understand the French value of 'entraide' (mutual aid).

셀프 테스트

Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.

Hier, j'ai _____ main forte à mon voisin pour réparer son toit.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: prêté

The idiom is 'prêter main forte.' In the past tense with 'je,' it becomes 'ai prêté.'

Which sentence is grammatically correct?

Choose the correct option:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Il me prête main forte.

No article is used, and the pronoun 'me' comes before the verb.

Match the register with the correct phrase.

Match the following:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: a

These are the standard register levels for these help-related phrases.

Fill in the missing line in the dialogue.

A: 'Je n'arrive pas à porter cette valise.' B: 'Attends, ...'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: je te prête main forte.

This is the most natural and grammatically correct way to offer help in this context.

🎉 점수: /4

시각 학습 자료

Prêter vs Donner

Prêter main forte
Formal
Physical
No article
Donner un coup de main
Informal
Small tasks
Uses 'un'

연습 문제 은행

4 연습 문제
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom. Fill Blank A2

Hier, j'ai _____ main forte à mon voisin pour réparer son toit.

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: prêté

The idiom is 'prêter main forte.' In the past tense with 'je,' it becomes 'ai prêté.'

Which sentence is grammatically correct? Choose B1

Choose the correct option:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: Il me prête main forte.

No article is used, and the pronoun 'me' comes before the verb.

Match the register with the correct phrase. Match B2

왼쪽의 각 항목을 오른쪽의 짝과 연결하세요:

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: a

These are the standard register levels for these help-related phrases.

Fill in the missing line in the dialogue. dialogue_completion A2

A: 'Je n'arrive pas à porter cette valise.' B: 'Attends, ...'

✓ 정답! ✗ 아쉬워요. 정답: je te prête main forte.

This is the most natural and grammatically correct way to offer help in this context.

🎉 점수: /4

자주 묻는 질문

12 질문

It is semi-formal. It's more formal than 'donner un coup de main' but less formal than 'apporter son concours.'

No, it's almost always for physical or active assistance.

No, the article is omitted in this fixed expression.

'Donner un coup de main' is casual and for small tasks. 'Prêter main forte' is more serious and involves more effort.

Yes, e.g., 'Je lui ai prêté main forte.'

Yes, it is understood and used throughout the Francophonie.

Yes, 'Nous leur avons prêté main forte.'

Not necessarily, but it implies you are bringing 'strength' (effort) to the task.

Yes, you will find it in many classic and modern French novels.

It's rare, but you could say you lent a hand to a vet to hold an animal.

There isn't a direct idiomatic opposite, but 'laisser tomber quelqu'un' (to let someone down) is a conceptual opposite.

Yes, this is a very common and correct usage.

관련 표현

🔗

donner un coup de main

similar

To give a hand (informal)

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épauler quelqu'un

similar

To shoulder someone / To support

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venir à la rescousse

similar

To come to the rescue

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porter assistance

formal

To provide assistance

🔗

se serrer les coudes

related

To stick together

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