Verb: Entretenir

The French verb “entretenir” is derived from the Latin word “intratenere,” which means “to keep up,” “maintain,” or “nourish.” “Entretenir” has a range of meanings.

Basic Definition and Conjugation

The verb “entretenir” can be translated into English as “to maintain,” “to sustain,” “to keep,” or “to nourish.” It is a regular -ir verb and follows a predictable conjugation pattern, based on the verb “tenir,” which in turn is based on the conjugation of “venir.” Here is the conjugation of “entretenir” in the present tense indicative mood:

  • j’entretiens (I maintain)
  • tu entretiens (you maintain)
  • il/elle/on entretient (he/she/one maintains)
  • nous entretenons (we maintain)
  • vous entretenez (you maintain)
  • ils/elles entretiennent (they maintain)

The past participle of “entretenir” is “entretenu.” So “j’ai entretenu” means “I have maintained” or “I maintained.”

Meanings and Usage

Maintenance and Upkeep: One of the primary meanings of “entretenir” is related to the maintenance or upkeep of something. It can refer to preserving or taking care of physical objects, such as a house, a car, a garden, or any other property. For example:

  • Il entretient sa maison avec soin. (He maintains his house with care.)
  • Nous devons entretenir nos voitures régulièrement. (We have to maintain our cars regularly.)

Sustaining and Supporting: “Entretenir” can also convey the idea of sustaining or supporting something or someone, either physically or emotionally. In this sense, it can be used to describe relationships, friendships, or even personal well-being. For instance:

  • Ils entretiennent une relation étroite depuis des années. (They have sustained a close relationship for years.)
  • Je veux entretenir mon corps en faisant de l’exercice régulièrement. (I want to keep my body healthy by exercising regularly.)

Nourishing and Providing: Another meaning of “entretenir” is associated with nourishing or providing for someone’s needs. It can imply both material and non-material sustenance. For example:

  • Les parents doivent entretenir leurs enfants en leur offrant une éducation de qualité. (Parents should provide for their children by offering them a quality education.)
  • Ce livre m’aide à entretenir mon esprit. (This book helps me nourish my mind.)

Conversations and Discussions: In certain contexts, “entretenir” can refer to engaging in conversations or discussions. It implies the act of maintaining or entertaining a dialogue. For instance:

  • Nous avons entrepris une discussion intéressante sur le sujet. (We engaged in an interesting discussion on the topic.)
  • Il aime entretenir des conversations animées avec ses amis. (He enjoys entertaining lively conversations with his friends.)

Expressions with “Entretenir”:

1 Entretenir des relations (to maintain relationships): This expression signifies nurturing or keeping up relationships with others.

  • Il est important d’entretenir de bonnes relations avec ses collègues. (It is important to maintain good relationships with colleagues.)

2 Entretenir l’espoir (to keep hope alive): This expression means to sustain or keep hope alive in a particular situation.

  • Malgré les difficultés, ils ont réussi à entretenir l’espoir. (Despite the difficulties, they managed to keep hope alive.)

3 Entretenir le doute (to sow doubt): This expression refers to the act of fostering doubt or uncertainty.

  • Il a commencé à entretenir le doute dans l’esprit des autres. (He started sowing doubt in the minds of others.)

Don’t miss new articles!

Get 1 email a week with new articles about French

We don’t spam! Read more in our privacy policy

Similar Posts

  • pour + infinitive

    In French, one of the most common ways to express purpose or intention is by using “pour” followed by an infinitive verb. This structure is equivalent to “in order to” in English and is widely used in both spoken and written French. In everyday English, the words “in order” are often omitted. 1. Basic Structure…

  • habituer

    The French verb “habituer” means “to accustom” or “to get used to.” Its reflexive or pronominal form, “s’habituer,” means “to get used to” something or someone. “habituer” (regular form) The regular form “habituer” is a transitive verb, meaning it usually requires a direct object. It is used when one person or thing causes another to…

  • Verb: manquer à

    The French verb “manquer à” means “to miss (someone)” “Manquer” is a regular “-er” verb. In fact it has several meanings, but one of its main meanings is to miss someone, in the sense of wishing that they were here. In this construction, it is used with either “à” or a indirect object pronoun. Examples…

  • verb: sentir & se sentir

    Meaning “Sentir” vs “Se Sentir” The key distinction between “sentir” and “se sentir” lies in the context and the object of the verb. “Sentir” focuses on external sensations or perceptions, whereas “se sentir” is inward, concerned with one’s emotional and physical state. Conjugation Let’s take a look at how “sentir” and “se sentir” are conjugated…

  • il faut

    The French phrase “il faut” translates to “it is necessary.” It is an impersonal expression, meaning that the “il” does not translate as “he,” but rather as “it.” So it means “it is necessary,” not “he is necessary.” In fact, the French verb “falloir,” which is the infinitive that “il faut” comes from, can only…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *