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A2 verb #1,000 mais comum 12 min de leitura

tenir

Top 1,000

At the A1 beginner level, 'tenir' is introduced primarily as a physical action verb meaning 'to hold'. You will learn to use it when talking about holding objects in your hands, like a bag, a book, or a cup. The focus is on the present tense conjugation (je tiens, tu tiens, il/elle tient) and basic sentence structures. You will also learn the very common interjection 'Tiens !' or 'Tenez !', which you use when you are handing something to someone, translating to 'Here you go!' or 'Take this!'. It is a crucial verb for basic physical interactions and simple commands, such as 'Tiens ça, s'il te plaît' (Hold this, please).

At the A2 elementary level, your understanding of 'tenir' expands beyond simple physical holding. You will start to see it used in everyday expressions and basic figurative contexts. You will learn 'tenir une promesse' (to keep a promise) and 'tenir la porte' (to hold the door). Importantly, you will be introduced to the pronominal form 'se tenir', meaning to behave or to stand in a certain way (e.g., 'Il se tient bien' - He behaves well). You will also learn to conjugate 'tenir' in the passé composé (j'ai tenu) and the futur proche (je vais tenir), allowing you to talk about past actions and future intentions involving holding or keeping.

At the B1 intermediate level, 'tenir' becomes a tool for expressing emotions, relationships, and more complex situations. The critical construction 'tenir à' is introduced. You will learn that 'tenir à quelqu'un' means to care deeply about someone, and 'tenir à faire quelque chose' means to be anxious or insist on doing something. You will also encounter 'tenir au courant' (to keep informed), which is essential for both social and professional communication. The concept of endurance is introduced with expressions like 'tenir le coup' (to hold up/endure). You will practice using 'tenir' in the imparfait and conditionnel tenses to express ongoing past states or polite requests.

At the B2 upper-intermediate level, 'tenir' is used with high frequency in abstract, professional, and idiomatic contexts. You will master expressions like 'tenir compte de' (to take into account), which is vital for expressing opinions, debating, and writing formal essays. You will learn 'tenir de' to express taking after someone (e.g., 'Elle tient de sa mère'). The usage of 'se tenir' to mean 'to take place' or 'to be held' (for events, meetings, festivals) becomes standard in your vocabulary. You will also dive into more colorful idioms like 'tenir sa langue' (to hold one's tongue) and 'ne tenir qu'à un fil' (to hang by a thread), demonstrating a nuanced grasp of French phrasing.

At the C1 advanced level, your use of 'tenir' is expected to be near-native, seamlessly integrating its most subtle and complex forms. You will use it in sophisticated literary and academic contexts. Expressions like 'tenir rigueur à quelqu'un' (to hold a grudge against someone), 'tenir pour acquis' (to take for granted), and 'savoir à quoi s'en tenir' (to know where one stands / what to expect) are part of your active vocabulary. You will understand the subtle differences between 'tenir', 'maintenir', 'conserver', and 'retenir' in complex texts. Your command of the subjunctive mood with 'tenir' (e.g., 'Je tiens à ce que tu viennes' - I insist that you come) will be accurate and natural.

At the C2 mastery level, 'tenir' is manipulated with complete stylistic freedom. You understand its historical nuances and its role in classic French literature. You can play with its multiple meanings in a single sentence for rhetorical effect. You effortlessly employ rare or highly specific idioms, such as 'tenir le haut du pavé' (to be of high rank/dominate) or 'tenir la dragée haute' (to make someone pay dear / to resist strongly). You recognize how 'tenir' functions in complex causative structures and passive voices. At this level, 'tenir' is not just a vocabulary word; it is a structural pillar of your French expression, used intuitively to convey the finest shades of obligation, connection, and persistence.

Pratique Exemplos Notas e dicas

tenir em 30 segundos

To physically hold or grasp.
To keep a promise or word.
To manage or run a business.
To care about (tenir à).

The French verb 'tenir' is one of the most fundamental and versatile words in the French language, functioning as a core building block for both literal and figurative expressions. At its most basic, physical level, 'tenir' translates to 'to hold' or 'to keep'. When you physically grasp an object, such as a book, a cup of coffee, or someone's hand, you are using 'tenir'. This physical holding is the first meaning that learners encounter and forms the foundation for all its other uses. However, the true beauty and complexity of 'tenir' lie in its extensive figurative applications. Beyond merely holding an object, 'tenir' is used to express the concept of keeping a promise, maintaining a specific state or condition, managing a business or establishment, and even expressing emotional attachment when combined with the preposition 'à'.

Physical Grasping: Used when a person uses their hands or arms to support or carry an object, preventing it from falling.

Il faut tenir la rampe en descendant les escaliers.

Furthermore, 'tenir' is frequently employed in the context of managing or running an organization. If someone owns a bakery, a restaurant, or a blog, they 'tiennent' that establishment. This implies a sense of continuous responsibility and oversight, much like physically holding something to keep it safe.

Management and Operation: Refers to the act of directing, managing, or being in charge of a business, household, or event.

Mes parents vont tenir un petit café dans le centre-ville.

In interpersonal relationships, 'tenir' takes on a deeply emotional resonance. When constructed as 'tenir à quelqu'un' or 'tenir à quelque chose', it translates to caring about someone or being attached to something. It signifies that the person or object holds a special place in your heart or mind.

Emotional Attachment: Expresses a strong feeling of affection, importance, or emotional connection towards a person, object, or concept.

Je veux que tu saches que je tiens beaucoup à toi.

Another vital application of 'tenir' is in the realm of promises and commitments. 'Tenir sa promesse' (to keep one's promise) or 'tenir parole' (to keep one's word) are standard expressions. Here, the verb implies maintaining the integrity of a statement or agreement over time. It is a measure of reliability and trustworthiness.

Un homme d'honneur doit toujours tenir parole.

Finally, 'tenir' is used to describe physical endurance or capacity. If a bridge can hold a certain weight, or if a person can endure a difficult situation without breaking down, 'tenir' is the appropriate verb. This is often seen in expressions like 'tenir le coup' (to hold up, to endure). Understanding these varied layers of meaning is essential for any French learner aiming for fluency, as 'tenir' permeates everyday conversation, literature, and formal discourse alike.

Malgré la fatigue, il a réussi à tenir jusqu'à la fin du marathon.

Using 'tenir' correctly in sentences requires an understanding of its irregular conjugation pattern and the various prepositions it can take, which drastically alter its meaning. 'Tenir' belongs to the third group of French verbs and follows a conjugation pattern identical to 'venir' (to come). In the present tense, it is conjugated as: je tiens, tu tiens, il/elle/on tient, nous tenons, vous tenez, ils/elles tiennent. Notice the stem change from 'ten-' to 'tien-' in the singular forms and the third-person plural. This irregularity is crucial to master early on.

Direct Transitive Usage: When used without a preposition, 'tenir' takes a direct object, usually indicating physical holding or managing.

Elle aime tenir le volant à deux mains.

The real complexity of 'tenir' emerges when it is paired with prepositions. The construction 'tenir à' is exceptionally common. When followed by a noun or a disjunctive pronoun, it means 'to care about' or 'to be attached to'. For example, 'Je tiens à mon indépendance' (I value my independence). When 'tenir à' is followed by an infinitive verb, it translates to 'to be anxious to' or 'to insist on' doing something.

Tenir à + Infinitive: Indicates a strong desire, insistence, or intention to perform an action.

Je tiens à vous remercier pour votre aide précieuse.

Another important prepositional construction is 'tenir de'. This phrase means 'to take after' someone, usually a family member, in terms of physical appearance or personality traits. It is a very specific usage that learners often confuse with other verbs.

Tenir de + Person: Used to express that someone has inherited traits or characteristics from a relative.

Il a un fort caractère, il tient de son grand-père.

Pronominal usage is also significant. 'Se tenir' can mean 'to hold oneself' (posture), 'to behave', or 'to be held' (like an event). For instance, 'Tiens-toi droit !' means 'Stand up straight!', while 'La réunion se tiendra demain' means 'The meeting will be held tomorrow'.

Les enfants savent comment se tenir à table.

Finally, 'tenir' is used in causative constructions, such as 'tenir quelqu'un au courant' (to keep someone informed). This structure is ubiquitous in professional and personal correspondence. Mastering these sentence structures transforms 'tenir' from a simple vocabulary word into a powerful tool for nuanced expression.

N'oublie pas de me tenir au courant de la situation.

You will hear the verb 'tenir' absolutely everywhere in the French-speaking world, from the most casual street conversations to highly formal news broadcasts and classic literature. Its ubiquity is due to its wide range of meanings and its presence in numerous everyday idioms. One of the most frequent ways you will hear 'tenir' is as an interjection. When handing something to someone, a French speaker will almost instinctively say 'Tiens !' (informal) or 'Tenez !' (formal/plural). This translates roughly to 'Here!' or 'Take this!'. It is an automatic reflex in French social interaction.

The Interjection 'Tiens': Used when giving something to someone, or as an exclamation of surprise, similar to 'Well, well!' or 'Look at that!'.

Tiens, j'ai trouvé tes clés sur la table.

In professional environments, 'tenir' is constantly used in the context of meetings, schedules, and information sharing. The phrase 'tenir une réunion' (to hold a meeting) is standard corporate vocabulary. Similarly, the expression 'tenir au courant' (to keep informed) is perhaps one of the most typed phrases in French business emails. You will hear colleagues telling each other 'Je te tiens au courant' daily.

Professional Communication: Essential for discussing the organization of events and the flow of information in a workplace.

Le directeur va tenir une conférence de presse ce matin.

In casual, everyday life, 'tenir' appears in expressions of endurance and emotional state. When someone is going through a hard time, friends will encourage them by saying 'Tiens le coup !' (Hang in there!). If a child is overly energetic, a parent might say 'Il ne tient pas en place' (He can't sit still). These idiomatic uses are deeply ingrained in the rhythm of daily French life.

Expressions of Endurance: Phrases that encourage resilience or describe a person's ability to withstand pressure or fatigue.

C'est difficile en ce moment, mais il faut tenir le coup.

You will also encounter 'tenir' in formal announcements and news media. For example, when a festival or a summit is organized, journalists will report that the event 'se tiendra' (will be held) on a specific date. Furthermore, legal and administrative language uses 'tenir' in phrases like 'tenir compte de' (to take into consideration), which is crucial for formal writing and debate.

Le tribunal doit tenir compte des circonstances atténuantes.

Finally, in romantic or deeply personal contexts, 'tenir à' is a beautiful way to express affection without necessarily using the heavy 'je t'aime'. Hearing someone say 'Je tiens à toi' is a profound expression of care and attachment in French culture.

Tu es mon meilleur ami, je tiens énormément à toi.

Because 'tenir' has so many meanings and translations in English, it is a frequent source of errors for French learners. The most common mistake is confusing 'tenir' with 'prendre' (to take) or 'garder' (to keep). While English speakers might say 'I am taking the baby' when they mean they are holding the baby in their arms, in French, 'prendre' implies the action of picking up, whereas 'tenir' implies the continuous state of holding. If the baby is already in your arms, you must use 'tenir'.

Tenir vs. Prendre: 'Prendre' is the initial action of taking hold; 'tenir' is the ongoing state of holding.

Peux-tu tenir mon sac pendant que je mets mon manteau ?

Another major area of confusion involves the prepositions 'à' and 'de'. As mentioned earlier, 'tenir à' means to care about or to insist on, while 'tenir de' means to take after someone. Learners often mix these up, resulting in sentences that make no sense to a native speaker. Saying 'Je tiens de mon ami' instead of 'Je tiens à mon ami' changes the meaning from 'I care about my friend' to 'I take after my friend (genetically)', which is usually incorrect in context.

Preposition Confusion: Using the wrong preposition after 'tenir' completely alters the verb's meaning and can lead to awkward misunderstandings.

Il faut faire attention à bien dire que l'on tient à quelqu'un pour montrer son affection.

A third common mistake relates to the translation of the English verb 'to keep'. English speakers use 'keep' for retaining possession ('keep the change'), storing things ('keep it in the fridge'), and maintaining a state ('keep quiet'). In French, 'tenir' is only used for some of these. You 'gardes' the change (garder la monnaie), you 'ranges' or 'mets' things in the fridge, but you 'tiens' a promise (tenir une promesse). Using 'tenir' as a blanket translation for 'keep' is a classic beginner error.

Translating 'To Keep': Do not assume 'tenir' works everywhere 'keep' does in English. Often, 'garder' is the correct choice for retaining possession.

Pour la monnaie, on dit 'gardez la monnaie', pas 'tenez la monnaie'.

Conjugation errors are also prevalent, particularly with the irregular stem changes. Learners often forget to change the 'e' to 'ie' in the present tense (saying 'je ten' instead of 'je tiens') or misconjugate the future tense (it should be 'je tiendrai', not 'je tenirai'). Finally, the pronominal form 'se tenir' is sometimes ignored. When telling someone to behave, you must use the reflexive pronoun: 'Tiens-toi bien !' (Behave yourself!). Omitting the 'toi' leaves the sentence incomplete and confusing.

Quand on est invité, il est important de bien se tenir.

Je tiendrai ma promesse, tu peux compter sur moi.

While 'tenir' is incredibly versatile, French offers several nuanced alternatives depending on the exact context. Understanding these synonyms helps elevate your French from basic to advanced, allowing for more precise communication. The most prominent related word is 'garder'. As discussed in the common mistakes section, 'garder' means 'to keep' in the sense of retaining possession, storing, or watching over something. You 'gardes' a secret, you 'gardes' children (babysitting), and you 'gardes' a document for your records. 'Tenir' is more about the physical grasp or the maintenance of a state.

Garder (To Keep / To Watch): Focuses on retention, preservation, or supervision rather than physical holding or emotional attachment.

Je préfère garder ce livre plutôt que de le tenir toute la journée.

Another important synonym is 'maintenir'. This verb is derived directly from 'main' (hand) and 'tenir' (to hold), literally meaning 'to hold by hand'. However, in modern French, 'maintenir' is used for maintaining a state, a position, or a claim, often against opposition or pressure. You 'maintiens' order, you 'maintiens' a temperature, or you 'maintiens' your innocence. It implies a stronger, more active effort to keep things as they are compared to the simple 'tenir'.

Maintenir (To Maintain): Implies an active effort to preserve a state, condition, or assertion, often in a formal or technical context.

La police a réussi à maintenir l'ordre, ils ont su tenir la foule à distance.

When 'tenir' is used to mean managing a business, synonyms like 'diriger' (to direct/manage) or 'gérer' (to manage) are excellent alternatives. 'Diriger' sounds more authoritative, suitable for a large company or a team, while 'gérer' is very common in modern business French for handling tasks, budgets, or smaller enterprises. 'Tenir un magasin' is perfectly fine, but 'gérer un magasin' emphasizes the administrative and financial aspects of the role.

Gérer / Diriger (To Manage): More specific verbs for business and administration, replacing 'tenir' when focusing on operations and leadership.

Au lieu de simplement tenir la caisse, elle gère toute la boutique.

For the emotional meaning of 'tenir à' (to care about), alternatives include 'aimer' (to love/like) or 'être attaché à' (to be attached to). 'Être attaché à' is a very close, slightly more formal synonym that conveys the same sense of emotional bonding without the romantic weight that 'aimer' can sometimes carry. Finally, for 'tenir' in the sense of a meeting taking place ('se tenir'), the verb 'avoir lieu' (to take place) is the standard, slightly more formal alternative.

La conférence aura lieu demain, elle va se tenir dans le grand amphithéâtre.

Je suis très attaché à cette montre, j'y tiens comme à la prunelle de mes yeux.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Nous vous saurions gré de bien vouloir tenir compte de ces remarques."

Neutro

"Je tiens la porte pour toi."

Informal

"Tiens, attrape !"

Child friendly

"Tiens bien la main de maman pour traverser."

Gíria

"Il tient pas l'alcool, ce mec."

Curiosidade

The English word 'tenant' comes directly from the present participle of the French verb 'tenir' (holding). A tenant is literally someone who 'holds' a lease or property!

Guia de pronúncia

UK /tə.niʁ/

US /tə.niʁ/

te-NIR

Rima com

venir souvenir devenir obtenir retenir maintenir appartenir convenir

Erros comuns

Pronouncing the 'e' like the English 'ay' (tay-neer). It should be a soft schwa (tuh-neer).
Failing to pronounce the final 'r'. Unlike 'er' verbs, the 'ir' ending requires the 'r' to be sounded.
In conjugation, forgetting the nasal sound in 'tiens' (tyan) and pronouncing it like 'tee-ens'.
Mispronouncing the double 'n' in 'ils tiennent' (tyenn). It should be a clear, hard 'n' sound, not nasalized.
Stressing the first syllable instead of the last.

Nível de dificuldade

Leitura 4/5

Easy to recognize, but idioms can make comprehension tricky.

Escrita 7/5

Irregular conjugation and specific prepositions require memorization.

Expressão oral 6/5

Pronunciation of 'tiens/tient' vs 'tenons/tenez' takes practice.

Audição 5/5

Often spoken quickly in idioms like 'j'y tiens' or 'tiens-moi au courant'.

O que aprender depois

Pré-requisitos

avoir être prendre venir main

Aprenda a seguir

maintenir retenir obtenir garder lâcher

Avançado

s'abstenir détenir contenir la teneur le maintien

Gramática essencial

Irregular 3rd Group Conjugation (like venir)

Je tiens, tu tiens, il tient, nous tenons, vous tenez, ils tiennent.

Verbs followed by 'à' + Disjunctive Pronoun

Je tiens à lui. (Not: Je lui tiens).

Verbs followed by 'à' + Infinitive

Je tiens à préciser que...

Pronominal Verbs (Reflexive/Passive meaning)

La réunion se tiendra demain.

Passé Composé with 'avoir'

J'ai tenu le bébé.

Exemplos por nível

Je tiens le livre.

I am holding the book.

Present tense, first person singular. Direct object 'le livre'.

Tiens, c'est pour toi.

Here, this is for you.

Imperative form used as an interjection when giving something.

Il tient mon sac.

He is holding my bag.

Present tense, third person singular.

Tenez la porte, s'il vous plaît.

Hold the door, please.

Formal imperative plural.

Elle tient un stylo.

She is holding a pen.

Basic subject-verb-object structure.

Nous tenons les tasses.

We are holding the cups.

Present tense, first person plural.

Tu tiens le bébé ?

Are you holding the baby?

Informal question in the present tense.

Ils tiennent des fleurs.

They are holding flowers.

Present tense, third person plural.

J'ai tenu ma promesse.

I kept my promise.

Passé composé with auxiliary 'avoir'.

Il faut tenir la main de l'enfant.

You must hold the child's hand.

Infinitive after 'il faut'.

Elle va tenir un magasin.

She is going to run a shop.

Futur proche (aller + infinitive).

Tiens-toi bien à table !

Behave yourself at the table!

Pronominal imperative (se tenir).

Je ne peux pas tenir ça, c'est trop lourd.

I can't hold this, it's too heavy.

Negative structure with modal verb 'pouvoir'.

Nous avons tenu la corde.

We held the rope.

Passé composé, first person plural.

Tu dois tenir ton chien en laisse.

You must keep your dog on a leash.

Modal verb 'devoir' + infinitive.

Ils tiennent un restaurant en ville.

They run a restaurant in town.

Meaning 'to manage/run' in the present tense.

Je tiens beaucoup à mes amis.

I care a lot about my friends.

Construction 'tenir à' + noun for emotional attachment.

Je te tiendrai au courant demain.

I will keep you informed tomorrow.

Future tense with the idiom 'tenir au courant'.

Il a du mal à tenir le coup.

He is having a hard time holding up.

Idiom 'tenir le coup' meaning to endure.

Je tiens à vous remercier.

I insist on thanking you / I want to thank you.

Construction 'tenir à' + infinitive verb.

La réunion se tiendra dans la salle principale.

The meeting will be held in the main room.

Pronominal passive voice 'se tenir' for events.

Elle tenait un journal intime quand elle était jeune.

She kept a diary when she was young.

Imparfait tense for a habitual past action.

Tiens bon, on est presque arrivés !

Hang in there, we are almost there!

Idiomatic imperative 'Tiens bon'.

Ce mur ne tiendra pas longtemps.

This wall won't hold for long.

Future tense in a negative sentence, physical endurance.

Il faut tenir compte de son opinion.

We must take his opinion into account.

Idiom 'tenir compte de' (to consider).

Elle tient de son père, elle est très têtue.

She takes after her father, she is very stubborn.

Construction 'tenir de' meaning to inherit traits.

Je n'y tiens plus, je dois partir.

I can't take it anymore, I have to leave.

Idiomatic use of 'n'y tenir plus' (cannot endure it).

Le festival se tient chaque année en juillet.

The festival is held every year in July.

Present tense pronominal 'se tenir' for recurring events.

Il a su lui tenir tête lors du débat.

He managed to stand up to him during the debate.

Idiom 'tenir tête à' (to resist/stand up to).

C'est une théorie qui tient la route.

It's a theory that holds up / makes sense.

Idiom 'tenir la route' (to be credible/logical).

Je tiens à ce que tout soit parfait.

I insist that everything be perfect.

'Tenir à ce que' + subjunctive mood.

Il s'est tenu à l'écart de la dispute.

He kept himself out of the argument.

Pronominal 'se tenir à l'écart' (to stay away/aloof).

Je ne lui en tiens pas rigueur.

I don't hold it against him / I don't hold a grudge.

Formal idiom 'tenir rigueur à quelqu'un'.

Maintenant, je sais à quoi m'en tenir.

Now I know where I stand / what to expect.

Idiom 'savoir à quoi s'en tenir'.

Leur survie ne tenait qu'à un fil.

Their survival hung by a thread.

Idiom 'ne tenir qu'à un fil' with restrictive 'ne... que'.

Il tient pour acquis que nous l'aiderons.

He takes it for granted that we will help him.

Expression 'tenir pour acquis' (to take for granted).

Ce discours tient du génie.

This speech borders on genius / is akin to genius.

'Tenir de' used abstractly to mean 'to resemble' or 'partake of'.

Elle a tenu le haut du pavé pendant des années.

She was at the top of society for years.

Literary idiom 'tenir le haut du pavé'.

Qu'à cela ne tienne, nous irons sans lui !

Never mind that / Be that as it may, we will go without him!

Fixed subjunctive expression 'Qu'à cela ne tienne'.

Il est tenu par le secret professionnel.

He is bound by professional secrecy.

Passive voice 'être tenu par' (to be bound/obligated by).

Cette argumentation ne tient pas debout.

This argument doesn't hold water / is nonsensical.

Colloquial idiom 'ne pas tenir debout' used in high-level critique.

Il a su tenir la dragée haute à ses concurrents.

He managed to put up a fierce resistance against his competitors.

Rare, advanced idiom 'tenir la dragée haute'.

S'il ne tient qu'à moi, le projet sera annulé.

If it's up to me, the project will be canceled.

Expression 's'il ne tient qu'à' (if it only depends on).

C'est un engagement auquel je suis tenu.

It is a commitment to which I am bound.

Advanced relative clause with passive 'être tenu'.

Il se le tint pour dit et n'insista pas.

He took the hint / accepted it as final and didn't insist.

Literary idiom 'se le tenir pour dit'.

La situation est intenable, nous ne pourrons pas tenir.

The situation is untenable, we won't be able to hold out.

Play on words with the adjective 'intenable' and the verb 'tenir'.

Il tient les rênes de l'entreprise d'une main de fer.

He holds the reins of the company with an iron fist.

Metaphorical use 'tenir les rênes' (to be in control).

Je tiens cette information de source sûre.

I have this information from a reliable source.

'Tenir de' meaning to obtain or receive from.

Colocações comuns

tenir la main

tenir sa promesse

tenir le coup

tenir au courant

tenir compte de

tenir un journal

tenir une réunion

tenir à cœur

tenir sa langue

se tenir droit

Frases Comuns

Je te tiens au courant.

Tiens bon !

Savoir à quoi s'en tenir.

Il n'y a pas à dire, ça tient la route.

Je n'y tiens plus.

Qu'à cela ne tienne.

Tenir le bon bout.

Ne tenir qu'à un fil.

Tenir tête à quelqu'un.

Se tenir à carreau.

Frequentemente confundido com

tenir vs prendre

'Prendre' is to take or pick up. 'Tenir' is to hold once you have picked it up.

tenir vs garder

'Garder' is to keep or watch over (like a secret or a child). 'Tenir' is physical holding or maintaining a state.

tenir vs maintenir

'Maintenir' is a stronger form of 'tenir', often used for maintaining order or a position against resistance.

Expressões idiomáticas

"tenir la chandelle"

To be the third wheel on a date. Literally 'to hold the candle'.

Je ne veux pas venir avec vous deux, je n'ai pas envie de tenir la chandelle.

informal

"tenir le haut du pavé"

To belong to the upper class or to be in a dominant position.

Cette famille tient le haut du pavé dans la région depuis des siècles.

formal

"tenir la jambe à quelqu'un"

To bore someone with a long, tedious conversation. Literally 'to hold someone's leg'.

Le voisin m'a tenu la jambe pendant une heure dans l'escalier.

informal

"ne pas tenir debout"

To make no sense (for a story or argument). Literally 'to not stand up'.

Ton excuse ne tient pas debout, personne ne va te croire.

neutral

"tenir à un cheveu"

To be very close to happening (usually a disaster). Literally 'to hang by a hair'.

L'accident a tenu à un cheveu.

neutral

"tenir sa liqueur"

To be able to drink a lot of alcohol without getting drunk.

Il boit beaucoup mais il tient bien sa liqueur.

informal

"tenir les murs"

To stand around doing nothing, often leaning against a wall (like a loiterer).

Au lieu de chercher du travail, il passe ses journées à tenir les murs.

informal

"tenir le crachoir"

To monopolize the conversation.

Pendant le dîner, c'est toujours lui qui tient le crachoir.

informal

"se tenir les côtes"

To laugh very hard. Literally 'to hold one's ribs'.

Le spectacle était tellement drôle qu'on se tenait les côtes.

neutral

"tenir la route"

To be credible, logical, or sturdy.

Ton plan d'affaires est solide, il tient la route.

neutral

Fácil de confundir

tenir vs prendre

Both translate to 'take' or 'hold' in some English contexts.

'Prendre' is the action of grasping; 'tenir' is the state of holding.

Je prends le livre sur la table, et maintenant je le tiens.

tenir vs garder

Both translate to 'keep'.

'Garder' is for possession or preservation; 'tenir' is for promises or physical grasp.

Je garde ce stylo, mais je tiens ma promesse.

tenir vs contenir

Looks like 'tenir'.

'Contenir' means to contain or hold inside.

La boîte contient des bijoux.

tenir vs retenir

Shares the root 'tenir'.

'Retenir' means to hold back, retain, or remember.

Je n'arrive pas à retenir son nom.

tenir vs soutenir

Shares the root 'tenir'.

'Soutenir' means to support (physically or morally).

Je soutiens mon ami dans cette épreuve.

Padrões de frases

[Subject] + tenir + [Direct Object]

Je tiens le sac.

[Subject] + tenir + à + [Infinitive]

Je tiens à venir.

[Subject] + tenir + [Direct Object] + au courant

Je te tiens au courant.

[Subject] + tenir + de + [Person]

Il tient de son père.

Il faut tenir compte de + [Noun]

Il faut tenir compte de la météo.

[Event] + se tenir + [Time/Place]

Le festival se tient à Paris.

Savoir à quoi s'en tenir

Je veux savoir à quoi m'en tenir.

Ne tenir qu'à un fil

Sa vie ne tient qu'à un fil.

Família de palavras

Substantivos

Verbos

Adjetivos

Relacionado

Como usar

frequency

Top 100 most used verbs in French.

Erros comuns

Je prends le bébé dans mes bras depuis une heure. → Je tiens le bébé dans mes bras depuis une heure.
'Prendre' is the action of picking up. If you have been doing it for an hour, you are in the state of holding, which requires 'tenir'.
Je tiens de mon ami. → Je tiens à mon ami.
'Tenir de' means to take after someone (like a parent). 'Tenir à' means to care about someone. Mixing these up changes the meaning completely.
Je tiens un secret. → Je garde un secret.
In French, you do not 'hold' a secret, you 'keep' or 'guard' it. The correct verb is 'garder'.
Je tenirai ma promesse. → Je tiendrai ma promesse.
The future tense stem of 'tenir' is irregular. It changes to 'tiendr-'. 'Tenirai' does not exist.
Tiens-toi ! → Tiens-toi bien !
When telling someone to behave, you must add the adverb 'bien' (or 'tranquille'). Just saying 'Tiens-toi' sounds incomplete, like 'Hold yourself!' without context.

Dicas

Auxiliary Verb

Always use 'avoir' with 'tenir' in compound tenses (j'ai tenu), but remember that pronominal verbs always use 'être' (il s'est tenu).

The Magic Phrase

Memorize 'Je te tiens au courant' (I'll keep you posted). It is one of the most useful phrases in the French language for ending conversations or emails.

Silent Letters

In 'je tiens' and 'tu tiens', the 's' is completely silent. In 'il tient', the 't' is silent. Do not pronounce them!

Don't Translate 'Keep' Directly

English uses 'keep' for many things. Before translating 'keep' as 'tenir', ask yourself if it means 'to retain possession' (use garder) or 'to hold/maintain' (use tenir).

Tenir bon

'Tenir bon' is a great alternative to 'tenir le coup'. Both mean to endure or hang in there, but 'tenir bon' sounds slightly more like 'stand your ground'.

Subjunctive Trigger

The phrase 'tenir à ce que' (to insist that) triggers the subjunctive mood. Example: 'Je tiens à ce que tu sois là' (I insist that you be there).

Tenir compte de

This is a highly professional phrase meaning 'to take into account'. Use it in essays or business meetings to sound advanced: 'Il faut tenir compte des coûts'.

Tenir l'alcool

In social settings, 'tenir l'alcool' means to be able to drink without getting overly drunk. It's a common colloquial expression.

Preposition 'à'

When using 'tenir à' with a person, you must use a disjunctive pronoun (moi, toi, lui, elle, nous, vous, eux, elles). Example: 'Je tiens à lui', not 'Je lui tiens'.

Holding the door

In France, it is polite to 'tenir la porte' (hold the door) for the person behind you. It's a common daily use of the literal meaning of the verb.

Memorize

Mnemônico

Imagine a TENANT holding a TEN-dollar bill tightly. The TENANT TIENS (holds) the money.

Associação visual

Visualize a person physically holding a giant, glowing letter 'T' in their arms. The effort of holding it represents 'tenir'.

Word Web

tenir maintenir retenir obtenir contenir soutenir détenir appartenir

Desafio

Try to use 'tenir' in three different ways today: once for holding an object, once for keeping a promise, and once using 'tenir au courant' in a message.

Origem da palavra

The verb 'tenir' comes from the Latin verb 'tenere', which meant 'to hold, keep, comprehend, or direct'. This Latin root is incredibly prolific and is the source of many words in Romance languages and English (e.g., retain, contain, maintain). Over centuries, the French verb evolved to encompass not just physical holding, but abstract concepts of obligation and state.

Significado original: To physically grasp or hold fast.

Indo-European > Italic > Romance > Gallo-Romance > Old French > French

Contexto cultural

No specific cultural sensitivities, but be aware that telling an adult 'Tiens-toi bien' can be seen as extremely condescending, as it is usually reserved for children.

English speakers often overuse 'prendre' (to take) when they should use 'tenir' (to hold). Remember that 'prendre' is an action, 'tenir' is a state.

The famous French proverb: 'Un tiens vaut mieux que deux tu l'auras' (A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. Literally: One 'here you go' is worth better than two 'you will have it'). The song 'Tiens-moi la main' by various French artists, emphasizing emotional and physical connection. The classic novel 'Le Rouge et le Noir' by Stendhal frequently uses 'tenir' to describe the rigid social structures and behaviors of the characters.

Pratique na vida real

Contextos reais

Physical Actions

tenir la main
tenir la porte
tenir un objet
lâcher prise

Professional Communication

tenir au courant
tenir une réunion
tenir compte de
tenir les délais

Relationships and Emotions

tenir à quelqu'un
tenir une promesse
tenir à cœur
tenir rigueur

Endurance and Struggle

tenir le coup
tenir bon
tenir tête
ne plus y tenir

Events and Organization

se tenir (événement)
tenir un commerce
tenir les comptes
avoir lieu

Iniciadores de conversa

"À quoi tiens-tu le plus dans la vie ?"

"Est-ce que tu trouves qu'il est difficile de tenir ses résolutions du Nouvel An ?"

"Qui tient les cordons de la bourse dans ta famille ?"

"As-tu déjà eu du mal à tenir un secret ?"

"De qui tiens-tu ton caractère, de ton père ou de ta mère ?"

Temas para diário

Raconte une fois où tu as dû tenir une promesse difficile.

Écris sur un objet auquel tu tiens particulièrement et explique pourquoi.

Décris une situation récente où tu as dû 'tenir le coup' malgré les difficultés.

Comment fais-tu pour te tenir au courant des actualités mondiales ?

Imagine que tu dois tenir un magasin. Quel type de magasin choisirais-tu et pourquoi ?

Perguntas frequentes

10 perguntas

'Tenir' comes from Latin and evolved through Old French, causing phonetic shifts. The stem changes from 'ten-' to 'tien-' because the stress falls on the root in the singular forms, causing the vowel to break into a diphthong ('ie'). When the stress moves to the ending (like in 'tenons'), the original vowel remains.

No, in French you do not 'tenir' a secret. You must use the verb 'garder'. You say 'garder un secret'. Using 'tenir un secret' sounds unnatural to a native speaker.

'Tenir à' means to care about someone or something, or to insist on doing something (e.g., 'Je tiens à toi' = I care about you). 'Tenir de' means to take after someone in appearance or personality (e.g., 'Il tient de son père' = He takes after his father).

On the phone, you don't usually use 'tenir'. You use 'Ne quittez pas' (formal) or 'Attends/Attendez' (informal/formal). However, 'Restez en ligne' is also common.

No. While 'Tiens-toi bien' means 'behave', 'se tenir' is also widely used in the passive sense for events taking place. For example, 'La réunion se tiendra demain' means 'The meeting will be held tomorrow'.

As an interjection, 'Tiens !' often expresses mild surprise, similar to 'Oh!' or 'Well, well!' in English. For example, 'Tiens ! Il pleut.' (Oh! It's raining).

'Tenir' uses the auxiliary verb 'avoir'. The past participle is 'tenu'. So, it is 'j'ai tenu, tu as tenu, il a tenu, nous avons tenu, vous avez tenu, ils ont tenu'.

'Tenir le coup' is a very common idiom meaning to hold up, to endure, or to cope with a difficult situation. If a friend is stressed, you can tell them 'Tiens le coup !' (Hang in there!).

Yes, absolutely. 'Tenir un magasin', 'tenir un bar', or 'tenir un restaurant' means to manage or run that establishment.

There are several related nouns depending on the context. 'La tenue' can mean an outfit or the holding of an event. 'Le maintien' means maintenance or posture. 'Le tenant' is a holder or supporter.

Teste-se 200 perguntas

writing

Write a short sentence telling a friend to hold your bag.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Sample answer

Tiens mon sac, s'il te plaît.