tenir

The French verb "tenir" means “to hold”, but it has several nuanced meanings depending on the context. It's an irregular verb and is quite commonly used in both literal and figurative ways.

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✅ Basic Meaning:

Tenir = to hold / to keep

Je tiens un livre. → I’m holding a book.

Tiens ta promesse. → Keep your promise.

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🔁 Common expressions with tenir:

1. Tenir bon – to hang on / stay strong

→ Tiens bon ! = "Hang in there!"

2. Tenir à [quelqu’un / quelque chose] – to care about / to be attached to

→ Je tiens à toi. = "I care about you."

→ Elle tient à son travail. = "She values her job."

3. Tenir debout – to stand upright

→ Il ne tient plus debout. = "He’s exhausted" (literally: can’t stand anymore)

4. Tenir au courant – to keep informed

→ Tiens-moi au courant. = "Keep me updated."

5. Faire tenir quelque chose – to make something fit

→ Je vais faire tenir tout ça dans la valise. = "I’ll make all this fit in the suitcase."

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🧠 Conjugation (present tense):

Person Conjugation

Je tiens

Tu tiens

Il/elle tient

Nous tenons

Vous tenez

Ils/elles tiennent

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Let me know if you'd like a list of compound tenses (like j’ai tenu) or examples in specific contexts like travel, business, or everyday speech!