tenir
Irregular (-enir group) Level A2 ⭐ #19 Most CommonEnglish translation: to hold / to keep / to take place
Présent (Present)
Holding or keeping currently
| Subject Pronoun | Conjugation | Audio |
|---|---|---|
| je | tiens | |
| tu | tiens | |
| il/elle | tient | |
| nous | tenons | |
| vous | tenez | |
| ils/elles | tiennent |
- Je tiens beaucoup à ce projet. — I care deeply about this project.
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Frequently Asked Questions: TENIR
Is "tenir" a regular or irregular verb in French? ▾
"tenir" is classified as a Irregular (-enir group) verb in French. Its characteristic conjugation pattern is "Conjugates identically to venir: tiens, tenu, tiendrai". Stem changes to 'tien-' in singular present, and takes irregular future stem 'tiendr-'. Past participle is 'tenu'. Use 'tenir à' for 'caring deeply about' or 'insisting on' doing something.
What does "tenir" mean in English? ▾
In English, "tenir" translates primarily to "to hold / to keep / to take place". In natural speech, it is commonly used across CEFR level A2 contexts for everyday communication.
What is the most frequent mistake learners make with "tenir"? ▾
A frequent error is saying "Je tenez votre main." instead of "Je tiens votre main.". Why? 1st person singular of tenir is 'je tiens'.
What are common idioms or expressions with "tenir"? ▾
A popular idiom is "Tenir bon" which means "To hang in there / hold firm" (e.g. "Tiens bon, tout va s'arranger !").
How can I practice and memorize "tenir" conjugations? ▾
Use Verbpedia's built-in interactive flashcards, pronounce each form using native Web Speech audio, and complete the instant mini-quiz below. You can also print a distraction-free A4 cheat sheet using the Print button above.
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Other Important French Verbs to Study
to be
to have / to be (age)
to do / to make
to go
to be able to / can
to want
to take / have (food/drink)
to see / watch
to come
to speak / talk
must / to have to / owe
to know (facts / how to do)
to believe, think
to live, exist
to put / to place / to set
to leave / to depart
to drink
to understand / to comprehend / to include
to be necessary / must / to need