What does retenu in French mean?

What is the meaning of the word retenu in French? The article explains the full meaning, pronunciation along with bilingual examples and instructions on how to use retenu in French.

The word retenu in French means reserved, ritenuto, restrained, brought against, catch hold of, hold back, hold back, hold back, hold back, retain, take on, take on, book, reserve, remember, keep, carry, hold, capture, catch hold of, hold it, hold it in, restrain yourself, hold yourself back from doing, hold back, put on weight. To learn more, please see the details below.

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Meaning of the word retenu

reserved

adjectif (réservé)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Richard est un garçon plutôt retenu.
Richard is rather a reserved boy.

ritenuto

adjectif (qualificatif musical : ritenuto) (Music)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
C'est un passage retenu de ce morceau de musique.
It is a ritenuto passage from this piece of music.

restrained

adjectif (modéré, réprimé)

(adjective: Describes a noun or pronoun--for example, "a tall girl," "an interesting book," "a big house.")
Nous avons exprimé des critiques retenues.
We have given restrained criticism.

brought against

locution adjectivale (droit : accusant [qqn]) (charges)

(expression: Prepositional phrase, adverbial phrase, or other phrase or expression--for example, "behind the times," "on your own.")
Toutes les charges furent retenues contre l'accusé.

catch hold of

verbe transitif (empêcher de tomber)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
J'ai retenu de justesse la casserole qui allait tomber.
I just caught hold of the saucepan that was going to fall.

hold back

verbe transitif (ramener vers soi)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
La mère a retenu par la main l'enfant qui voulait traverser la route sans regarder.
The mother held back the child, who wanted to cross the street without looking, with her hand.

hold back

verbe transitif (empêcher de s'échapper, maintenir)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Le barrage retient l'eau.
The dam holds the water back.

hold back, hold back

verbe transitif (contenir)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
À l'annonce la mauvaise nouvelle, je n'ai pas pu retenir mes larmes.
When the bad news was announced, I couldn't hold back my tears.

retain

verbe transitif (conserver)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Grâce à nos doubles vitrages, l'appartement retient la chaleur.
Thanks to our double glazing, the apartment retains heat.

take on, take on

verbe transitif (sélectionner)

(phrasal verb, transitive, separable: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning, divisible--for example, "call off" [=cancel], "call the game off," "call off the game.")
Nous n'avons pas retenu ce candidat parce qu'il n'avait pas les qualités requises.
We didn't take this candidate on because he didn't have the required skills.

book, reserve

verbe transitif (réserver)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Nous avons retenu une table au restaurant.
We booked a table at the restaurant.

remember

verbe transitif (mémoriser)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Excusez-moi, je n'ai pas retenu votre nom. Avec l'âge, je trouve qu'il est de plus en plus difficile de retenir du vocabulaire.
As I get older, I find it more difficult to retain vocabulary.

keep

verbe transitif (empêcher de partir)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Les clients m'ont retenu jusqu'à 19 h au magasin.
The customers kept me at the store until 7 p.m.

carry

verbe transitif (Maths : faire une retenue)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
7 + 5 égale 12 : je pose 2 et je retiens 1.
7 + 5 equals 12: I write down the 2 and carry the 1.

hold, capture

verbe transitif (susciter l'intérêt)

(transitive verb: Verb taking a direct object--for example, "Say something." "She found the cat.")
Son projet retient l'attention du jury.
His project captured the panel's attention.

catch hold of

(empêcher sa chute)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Sophie a glissé et s'est retenue à la table pour ne pas tomber.
Sophie slipped and caught hold of the table to stop herself falling.

hold it, hold it in

verbe pronominal (familier (attendre avec besoin) (call of nature)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
J'ai envie d'aller aux toilettes mais je me retiens jusqu'à notre arrivée.
I need to go to the bathroom but I will hold it in until we arrive.

restrain yourself

verbe pronominal (s'empêcher)

(transitive verb and reflexive pronoun: Transitive verb with reflexive pronoun--for example, "Enjoy yourself." "They behaved themselves.")
Continue et je ne vais pas me retenir pour te gifler.
Carry on like that and I'm not going to be able to restrain myself from hitting you.

hold yourself back from doing

verbe pronominal (résister à une envie)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Nous avons gardé notre sérieux et nous nous sommes retenus de rire.
We remained serious and held back our laughter.

hold back

verbe pronominal (ne pas se donner à fond)

(phrasal verb, intransitive: Verb with adverb(s) or preposition(s), having special meaning and not taking direct object--for example, "make up" [=reconcile]: "After they fought, they made up.")
Ce sportif s'est retenu afin de garder de l'énergie pour la finale.
The sportsman held back so as to save his energy for the final.

put on weight

verbe intransitif (animal : devenir grosse) (UK)

(verbal expression: Phrase with special meaning functioning as verb--for example, "put their heads together," "come to an end.")
Cette année, toutes les vaches ont retenu après la saillie.
This year, all the cows have put on weight after service.

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So now that you know more about the meaning of retenu in French, you can learn how to use them through selected examples and how to read them. And remember to learn the related words that we suggest. Our website is constantly updating with new words and new examples so you can look up the meanings of other words you don't know in French.

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