French Phrase
Tiens chaque étirement pendant 20-30 secondes.
Meaning
Hold each stretch for twenty to thirty seconds. The sentence is a typical instruction given during a workout, yoga session, or physiotherapy routine, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the position long enough to benefit the muscles.
When to use
Use this phrase when you are giving or receiving fitness instructions, guiding a class, or explaining a home‑exercise routine. It works well in gyms, sports‑rehab clinics, and online workout videos.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Tienschaqueétirementpendant20-30secondes
Imperative (Tiens)
‘Tiens’ is the second‑person singular imperative of the verb *tenir* (to hold). It gives a direct command or instruction.
Quantifier (chaque)
‘Chaque’ means ‘each’ and is used before a singular noun to refer to every individual item in a set.
Preposition (pendant)
‘Pendant’ introduces a duration and translates to ‘for’ in English. It is followed by a time expression.
Number range (20‑30)
In spoken French the range is usually said ‘vingt à trente’, but the numerals 20‑30 are also acceptable in written instructions.
Noun (secondes)
‘Secondes’ is the plural of *seconde* (second). It follows the number to indicate the unit of time.
🗨In Conversation
Combien de temps je dois garder chaque étirement ?
How long should I hold each stretch?
Tiens chaque étirement pendant 20-30 secondes.
Hold each stretch for 20‑30 seconds.
✕Common Mistakes
Fait chaque étirement pendant 20-30 secondes.
‘Fait’ is the verb *faire* (to do) and does not convey the idea of holding a position.
Tiens chaque étirement pour 20-30 secondes.
‘Pour’ means ‘for’ in the sense of purpose, not duration. Use ‘pendant’ for a time span.
Tiens chaque étirement pendant 20-30 seconds.
Mixing English ‘seconds’ with French is a common slip. Use the French noun *secondes*.
↔Alternatives
Maintiens chaque étirement pendant 20 à 30 secondes.
Maintain each stretch for 20 to 30 seconds.
Garde chaque étirement 20 à 30 secondes.
Keep each stretch for 20 to 30 seconds.
Reste dans chaque étirement pendant vingt à trente secondes.
Stay in each stretch for twenty to thirty seconds.
Cultural Tip
French fitness instructions often use the imperative without a polite ‘s’il vous plaît’, especially in group classes. If you want to sound softer, you can add ‘s’il vous plaît’ after the command (e.g., ‘Tiens chaque étirement, s’il vous plaît’). Also, French speakers tend to specify the exact duration rather than saying ‘a while’, so the numeric range is common in gym manuals.