What does retenir in French mean?
What is the meaning of the word retenir in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use retenir in French.
The word retenir in French means catch hold of, hold back, hold back, hold back, hold back, retain, take on, take on, book, reserve, remember, keep, carry, hold, capture, catch hold of, hold it, hold it in, restrain yourself, hold yourself back from doing, hold back, put on weight, determining criterion, hold hostage, hold 's attention, learn your lesson, hold your breath, hold back the tears, hold back your tears, hold your breath, hold your breath, shortlist someone for a post. To learn more, please see the details below.
Meaning of the word retenir
catch hold ofverbe transitif (empêcher de tomber) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") J'ai retenu de justesse la casserole qui allait tomber. I just caught hold of the saucepan that was going to fall. |
hold backverbe transitif (ramener vers soi) (phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.") La mère a retenu par la main l'enfant qui voulait traverser la route sans regarder. The mother held back the child, who wanted to cross the street without looking, with her hand. |
hold backverbe transitif (empêcher de s'échapper, maintenir) (phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.") Le barrage retient l'eau. The dam holds the water back. |
hold back, hold backverbe transitif (contenir) (phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.") À l'annonce la mauvaise nouvelle, je n'ai pas pu retenir mes larmes. When the bad news was announced, I couldn't hold back my tears. |
retainverbe transitif (conserver) (transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.") Grâce à nos doubles vitrages, l'appartement retient la chaleur. Thanks to our double glazing, the apartment retains heat. |
take on, take onverbe transitif (sélectionner) (phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.") Nous n'avons pas retenu ce candidat parce qu'il n'avait pas les qualités requises. We didn't take this candidate on because he didn't have the required skills. |
book, reserveverbe transitif (réserver) (transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.") Nous avons retenu une table au restaurant. We booked a table at the restaurant. |
rememberverbe transitif (mémoriser) (transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.") Excusez-moi, je n'ai pas retenu votre nom. Avec l'âge, je trouve qu'il est de plus en plus difficile de retenir du vocabulaire. As I get older, I find it more difficult to retain vocabulary. |
keepverbe transitif (empêcher de partir) (transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.") Les clients m'ont retenu jusqu'à 19 h au magasin. The customers kept me at the store until 7 p.m. |
carryverbe transitif (Maths : faire une retenue) (transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.") 7 + 5 égale 12 : je pose 2 et je retiens 1. 7 + 5 equals 12: I write down the 2 and carry the 1. |
hold, captureverbe transitif (susciter l'intérêt) (transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.") Son projet retient l'attention du jury. His project captured the panel's attention. |
catch hold of(empêcher sa chute) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Sophie a glissé et s'est retenue à la table pour ne pas tomber. Sophie slipped and caught hold of the table to stop herself falling. |
hold it, hold it inverbe pronominal (familier (attendre avec besoin) (call of nature) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") J'ai envie d'aller aux toilettes mais je me retiens jusqu'à notre arrivée. I need to go to the bathroom but I will hold it in until we arrive. |
restrain yourselfverbe pronominal (s'empêcher) (transitive verb and reflexive pronoun: Transitive verb with reflexive pronoun--for example, "Enjoy yourself." "They behaved themselves.") Continue et je ne vais pas me retenir pour te gifler. Carry on like that and I'm not going to be able to restrain myself from hitting you. |
hold yourself back from doingverbe pronominal (résister à une envie) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Nous avons gardé notre sérieux et nous nous sommes retenus de rire. We remained serious and held back our laughter. |
hold backverbe pronominal (ne pas se donner à fond) (phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.") Ce sportif s'est retenu afin de garder de l'énergie pour la finale. The sportsman held back so as to save his energy for the final. |
put on weightverbe intransitif (animal : devenir grosse) (UK) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Cette année, toutes les vaches ont retenu après la saillie. This year, all the cows have put on weight after service. |
determining criterion(détail déterminant) (noun: Refers to person, place, thing, quality, etc.) |
hold hostageverbe transitif (séquestrer) Dans la banque, trois personnes étaient retenues en otage. |
hold 's attention(intéresser [qqn]) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") Ce point de la prestation retient l'attention de l'assistance. |
learn your lessonlocution verbale (avoir appris de [qch]) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
hold your breathlocution verbale (cesser de respirer un moment) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
hold back the tears, hold back your tearslocution verbale (s'empêcher de pleurer) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
hold your breathlocution verbale (arrêter momentanément de respirer) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
hold your breathlocution verbale (figuré (attendre l'annonce de [qch]) (figurative) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
shortlist someone for a postlocution verbale (être intéressé par un candidat) (verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.") |
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