Basic Meanings:
* To hold: This is the most common meaning of "tenir." It can refer to physically holding something or to holding onto something figuratively.
* Example: "Il tient le livre dans sa main." (He holds the book in his hand.)
* Example: "Elle tient à ses principes." (She holds onto her principles.)
* To keep: This meaning is similar to "to hold," but it emphasizes the idea of keeping something in your possession or maintaining something.
* Example: "Je tiens mon secret." (I keep my secret.)
* Example: "Il faut tenir la maison propre." (You must keep the house clean.)
* To be in a certain state: This meaning can be used to describe how something is or how someone is feeling.
* Example: "Le temps tient chaud." (The weather is hot.)
* Example: "Il tient bien." (He is doing well.)
More Specific Meanings:
* To stand/to stay: "Tenir" can also mean to stand in a place or to stay in a certain condition.
* Example: "Tenez-vous là." (Stand there.)
* Example: "Le prix du pétrole tient à 80 dollars le baril." (The price of oil stays at $80 a barrel.)
* To be able to: "Tenir" can be used to express ability.
* Example: "Je tiens à parler à votre chef." (I want to speak to your boss.)
* To depend on: "Tenir" can be used to express dependence.
* Example: "Tout tient à ce que tu réussisses." (Everything depends on you succeeding.)
Idioms and Expressions:
"Tenir" is also used in many French idioms and expressions, such as:
* Tenir compte de: To take into account.
* Tenir à cœur: To be very important.
* Tenir parole: To keep one's word.
* Tenir le coup: To hold on, to persevere.
* Tenir la route: To be reliable, to be good quality.
The best way to understand the specific meaning of "tenir" is to consider the context in which it is used.