Meaning
To provide assistance.
Cultural Background
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.
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.
Meaning
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.'
Solidarity
Using this phrase shows you understand the French value of 'entraide' (mutual aid).
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the idiom.
Hier, j'ai _____ main forte à mon voisin pour réparer son toit.
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:
No article is used, and the pronoun 'me' comes before the verb.
Match the register with the correct phrase.
Match the following:
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, ...'
This is the most natural and grammatically correct way to offer help in this context.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Prêter vs Donner
Practice Bank
4 exercisesHier, j'ai _____ main forte à mon voisin pour réparer son toit.
The idiom is 'prêter main forte.' In the past tense with 'je,' it becomes 'ai prêté.'
Choose the correct option:
No article is used, and the pronoun 'me' comes before the verb.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the standard register levels for these help-related phrases.
A: 'Je n'arrive pas à porter cette valise.' B: 'Attends, ...'
This is the most natural and grammatically correct way to offer help in this context.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt 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.
Related Phrases
donner un coup de main
similarTo give a hand (informal)
épauler quelqu'un
similarTo shoulder someone / To support
venir à la rescousse
similarTo come to the rescue
porter assistance
formalTo provide assistance
se serrer les coudes
relatedTo stick together
