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retenir

retain

verb ruh-tuh-NEER Less Common
Mind & Emotions Mental States

Also means

hold back

Usage Note

Retenir is an irregular verb conjugated like tenir. It means to retain, remember, or hold back — retenir une leçon ('to retain a lesson'), retenir sa respiration ('to hold one's breath'). It is also used for reservations: retenir une table ('to book a table'), which is a common practical usage.

Examples

"Je n'arrive pas à retenir son nom."

Natural Translation

I can't manage to remember his name.

Literal Translation

I don't manage to retain his name.

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