Tenais (en. Held)

/tə.nɛ/

Meaning & Definition

EnglishFrench

verb

To have in possession or in hand.

I was holding the book you lent me.

Je tenais le livre que tu m'as prêté.

To be attached to something or someone.

I was very attached to my grandmother.

Je tenais beaucoup à ma grand-mère.

To maintain something in a given position.

He held the door open to let the guests pass.

Il tenait la porte ouverte pour laisser passer les invités.

Derived from the Latin verb 'tenere', meaning to hold or to have.

to hold dear

to have a deep affection for something.

tenir à cœur

to hold firm

to resist despite difficulties.

tenir bon

to hang in there

to endure a difficult situation.

tenir le coup

to be reliable

to be reliable or valid.

tenir la route

tenir

Verb meaning to have, keep, or maintain.

tenir

content

What is included or contained in something.

contenu

retenir

To remember something or prevent something from escaping.

retenir

To be in a good position or to have control.

He had the situation in hand.

Il tenait la situation en mains.

To be in a serious relationship.

They have been together for years.

Ils se tiennent ensemble depuis des années.