tenere
/teˈne.re/
The English verb 'hold' can be translated into Italian as tenere. Wiktionary also lists imbracciare.
Meaning: to grasp (verb)
Ways to say it
| Italian | IPA |
|---|---|
| tenere | /teˈne.re/ |
| imbracciare | /im.bratˈt͡ʃa.re/ |
The primary way to express the act of grasping something is with the verb tenere. If you are referring to the noun 'grasp', you would use presa or if you are referring to a 'cargo area', use stiva.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb tenere is irregular in the present subjunctive, where it takes the form tenga.
How do you pronounce it?
tenere is pronounced /teˈne.re/. It has 3 syllables, and the stress is on the 2nd of 3 syllables.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers often confuse tenere (to hold/keep) with prendere (to take/grab). Use tenere when you want to imply a continuous state of holding, whereas prendere refers to the specific action of picking something up.
Did you know?
- The Italian word presa, which refers to a 'grasp' or 'grip', is also the word used for an electrical 'socket'. This is because the plug 'grasps' the connection.
- In Italian, the phrase tenersi can mean 'to behave' or 'to carry oneself'. It describes how a person 'holds' their posture and demeanor in public.
- The phrase tenere duro is used to mean 'to hold on' or 'to persevere' through a difficult situation.
Examples in context
- Mi può tenere la mano.You can hold my hand.This sentence is useful for practicing how to use tenere when talking about holding a hand.Tatoeba #4377798 by Guybrush88, translation #3342854 by CK
- Ti posso tenere la mano?Can I hold your hand?This sentence is useful for asking permission to use tenere regarding a hand.Tatoeba #6122498 by Guybrush88, translation #3024531 by CK
- Non lo tenere al contrario.Don't hold it upside down.This sentence is useful for using tenere to give an instruction about how to hold an object.Tatoeba #6153131 by Guybrush88, translation #41850 by CK
- Tenete l'ascensore per me, per cortesia.Hold the elevator for me, please.
- Aspetta un attimo, devo prendere la mia borsa.Hold on a second, I need to grab my bag.
- Aspetta due minuti, sto arrivando.Hold on for two minutes, I'm coming.
- Attendi un momento, sto cercando la chiave di casa.Hold on for a moment, I'm looking for the house key.
- Puoi attendere per favore? Ho bisogno di fare una telefonata urgente.Can you hold, please? I need to make an urgent phone call.
- Tieni la porta aperta, per cortesia.Hold the door open, please.
- Tieni fermo il cane, non voglio che salga sul divano.Hold the dog still, I don't want him to jump on the couch.
- 10 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Chiara and Alessandro are at a party.
- ChiaraAlessandro, puoi tenere il mio bicchiere?Alessandro, can you hold my glass?
- AlessandroCerto, Chiara. Dove vuoi andare?Sure, Chiara. Where do you want to go?
- ChiaraVado a prendere dei tovaglioli.I'm going to get some napkins.
- AlessandroVa bene, continuo a tenere questo per te.All right, I'll keep holding this for you.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hold” translations and entries tenere, imbracciare, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
