French Verb 'maintenir': Complete Guide to Meaning, Conjugation & Usage

The French verb "maintenir" is a versatile and important verb that every French learner should know. In this article, we'll delve into the meaning of "maintenir", explore its conjugation in different tenses, and provide practical examples of how to use it in sentences.

What Does 'maintenir' Mean in French?

"Maintenir" is a verb that can be translated to English as "to maintain", but its meaning goes beyond just physical maintenance. It can also mean to keep or preserve something, whether it's an idea, a relationship, or a certain standard. In addition to these meanings, "maintenir" can also imply a sense of continuity or consistency, suggesting that someone is committed to keeping something going or sustaining a particular state.

Conjugation of 'maintenir'

Here's how you conjugate the verb "maintenir" in different tenses:

Pronoun	Present	Passé composé	Futur simple
Jeg	maintiens	eus maintenu	maintiendrai
Tu	maintiens	as maintenu	maintiendras
Ils/Elles	maintienent	ont maintenu	maintiendront
Nous	maintenons	avons maintenu	maintiendraons
Vous	maintenez	avez maintenu	maintiendrez
Ils/Elles	maintienent	ont maintenu	maintiendront

How to Use 'maintenir' in a Sentence

Here are six example sentences that demonstrate the different tenses and contexts in which you can use "maintenir":

• J'ai maintenu mon projet pendant trois ans avant de le lancer. (I maintained my project for three years before launching it.)
• Nous devons maintenir la dignité dans cette situation délicate. (We must maintain dignity in this delicate situation.)
• Ils ont maintenu leur rythme de travail même pendant les vacances. (They maintained their work pace even during the holidays.)
• J'ai décidé de maintenir ma routine quotidienne malgré mon âge. (I've decided to maintain my daily routine despite my age.)
• L'entreprise est obligée de maintenir les normes de sécurité. (The company is required to maintain safety standards.)
• Nous allons continuer à maintenir nos relations avec le parti politique. (We will continue to maintain our relationship with the political party.)

Common Expressions and Phrases with 'maintenir'

Here are four idiomatic French expressions that use the verb "maintenir":

• Maintenir le moral (To keep morale up)
• Maintenir la ligne (To stay on track)
• Maintenir l'équilibre (To maintain balance)
• Maintenir la confiance (To keep the faith)

Tips for Remembering 'maintenir'

Here are three tips to help you remember how to use "maintenir":

• Practice, practice, practice! The more you conjugate and use "maintenir" in sentences, the more it will become second nature.
• Focus on the nuances of the verb. Remember that "maintenir" can imply a sense of continuity or consistency, which is important to convey in your writing or speaking.
• Use flashcards or create a mnemonic device to help you remember the conjugation patterns. For example, you could use the phrase "Je maintiens les normes de sécurité" (I maintain safety standards) to help you recall the present tense conjugation for "je".

Practice the verb maintenir on My-French.com