10 useful French expressions using the verb tenir
The word tenir, meaning ‘to hold’ is one of the most common verbs in the French language, and as such is often used in unusual ways in everyday expressions. We look at 10 of the most useful ways you can use it to improve your French.
The English equivalent of tenir, ‘to hold’, is a particularly difficult verb for people learning English.
It appears in all sorts of phrasal verbs and expressions, from ‘hold on’, ‘hold in’, ‘hold out for’, to ‘hold your horses’.
Similarly, the French verb appears in many different combinations and contexts.
This phrasal verb is used when things get tough.
For example, you might use this phrase in a work setting to describe your team getting on with the job at hand despite setbacks.
You can also use it to ask if someone is ok with a difficult situation: tu tiens bon? - ‘are you ok?’
For example:
On tient bon dans l'équipe même quand il y a des problèmes au niveau du management. - ‘Our team keeps going even when there are problems regarding management.’
This phrasal verb is one to use in situations where people are facing sadness or difficulties in their lives.
It can mean to cope or, more figuratively, to weather the storm, so if you ask someone Tu tiens le coup ? it means ‘are you coping or how are you holding up?’
When talking about going up against someone or standing up to someone, you can employ tenir tête à quelqu’un.
For example:
Le Front Populaire veut tenir tête à l’extrême droite dans les élections - ‘The Front Populaire wants to go up against the far right in the elections’
This expression has its origins in military parlance form the Middle Ages, and refers to a carreau - or crossbow bolt.
“It is a very evocative image,” medievalist Kentigwern Jaouen told TF1.“Crossbows were very powerful and precise weapons and the slightest miscalculation could mean being shot. So, when ordered to se tenir à carreau people knew they had to keep still and do what they were told.”
Maybe something you would rather not be described as doing - tenir la chandelle means to play gooseberry or to be a third wheel.
A chandelle is a long thin candle.
Historically, maids or servants would hold the candle but turn their back to their master and mistress, hence the expression tenir la chandelle.
In older English we would say to ‘hold someone dear’, which tenir à quelqu'un means.
For example
Je tiens à toi - ‘I care about you’
Or:
C’est la bague de ma mère, j’y tiens beaucoup - ‘It’s my mother’s ring, it means a lot to me’
An expression that makes no sense literally, but is commonly used to evoke surprise.
Note that a single tiens! means 'hey!' rather than 'hold' as in English.
This is a little grandiloquent and commonly heard in the mouth of politicians asking for people's vote.
Je me tiens devant vous en tant que Premier Ministre - ‘I stand before you as Prime Minister’
This is a very useful phrase in everyday life, if you want someone to keep you updated on an ongoing situation, for example.
Tiens-moi au au courant s’il te plaît - ‘Keep me posted please’
It can also be used with the idea of keeping yourself up to date with the news or the goings on.
Je me tiens au courant des actualités - ‘I stay up to date with the news
This can refer to anything precarious
Similarly, the fil, or thread could also be a cheveu or hair.