Skip to content

manier

to handle, to wield

verb ma-NYEH Rare
Body & Health Movement

Origin: From Old French 'manier', from 'main' (hand).

Also means

to manage, to use skillfully

Usage Note

Manier implies skilled or practiced handling — manier une arme (to wield a weapon), manier les mots (to handle words deftly). It is more deliberate than tenir (to hold) and implies competence. The noun maniement refers to the act of handling or operating something.

Examples

"Il sait bien manier les outils de charpentier."

Natural Translation

He knows how to handle carpenter's tools well.

Explore French by topic