Ways to say it
| French | IPA |
|---|---|
| se tenir debout | |
| être debout | /ɛ.tʁə d(ə).bu/ /e.tʁə d(ə).bu/ |
In French, you must combine a verb with the adverb debout to express the concept. When you want to describe the physical action or the effort of maintaining an upright position, use se tenir debout.
What does it mean word for word?
The word debout is an adverb meaning 'upright' or 'standing'. It is used alongside verbs like être or se tenir to complete the meaning of standing.
Which one should you use?
The two main forms serve different nuances: use être debout to describe the state of being in an upright position (to be standing), whereas se tenir debout emphasizes the action or the physical effort of maintaining that position.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Because debout is an adverb, it remains invariable. It does not change its form to agree with the subject in gender or number.
What mistakes should you avoid?
When expressing the physical posture of standing, do not use the verb stagner or use se tenir alone. You must include the adverb debout to be correct.
Did you know?
- The adverb debout is literally a contraction of 'de' and 'bout', which translates to 'at the tip' or 'at the end'.
- French uses the verb tenir in se tenir debout, which is a direct relative of the English word 'tenacious'.
- While debout means 'standing', the root word bout is used today in French to describe the very end of a street or a piece of string.
Examples in context
- Je veux être debout.I want to stand.This sentence shows a desire to be in an upright position using être debout.Tatoeba #13452068 by Rovo, translation #13451895 by rul
- Les ours peuvent se tenir debout sur leurs pattes postérieures.Bears can stand on their hind legs.This sentence uses se tenir debout to describe the physical action of bears standing on their limbs.Tatoeba #12558065 by Rovo, translation #11859047 by Amastan
- J'aimerais être debout.I'd like to stand.This sentence expresses a preference for the state of being upright using être debout.Tatoeba #2397663 by sacredceltic, translation #2396177 by CK
- Laissez-nous nous tenir debout face à ces difficultés.Let us stand up to these challenges.
- Malgré les obstacles, il est resté debout.Despite the obstacles, he stood his ground.
- Elle était debout devant l'assemblée.She was standing in front of the assembly.
- Je suis debout depuis une heure.I've been standing for an hour.
- Je suis sur mes pieds toute la journée à mon travail.I'm on my feet all day at work.
- Il se tient toujours droit comme un i.He always stands up straight.
- 3 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hugo and Chloé are waiting for a train on a crowded platform.
- HugoOn peut s'asseoir ici ?Can we sit here?
- ChloéNon, je préfère me tenir debout.No, I prefer to stand.
- HugoC'est fatigant de se tenir debout.It's tiring to stand.
- ChloéLe train arrive bientôt, Hugo.The train is coming soon, Hugo.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “stand” translations and entries être debout, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries debout, se, tenir, être, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
