donner la main (to shake hands, to help)
Grammar & Usage
How it works
Composed of the first-group transitive verb 'donner' followed by the definite noun phrase 'la main'. It typically takes an indirect object introduced by the preposition 'à' to indicate the recipient ('donner la main à quelqu'un'). It is also frequently used in the reciprocal pronominal form 'se donner la main' to mean holding hands or uniting.
Sample sentences
L'enfant donne la main à sa mère pour traverser la rue en toute sécurité.
The child holds his mother's hand to cross the street safely.
Il s'est approché de son invité pour lui donner la main chaleureusement.
He approached his guest to shake his hand warmly.
Face à cette crise, tous les citoyens ont décidé de se donner la main.
Faced with this crisis, all the citizens decided to join hands and help one another.
Quick facts
Mnemonic
Sign in for a creative sound-alike story that makes "donner la main (to shake hands, to help)" unforgettable 🧠
Get an AI-generated memory hook for donner la main (to shake hands, to help) — a vivid scene that locks the word in your brain 🧠
Example
L'enfant donne la main à sa mère pour traverser la rue en toute sécurité.
The child holds his mother's hand to cross the street safely.
Il s'est approché de son invité pour lui donner la main chaleureusement.
He approached his guest to shake his hand warmly.
Sign in for AI-generated examples tailored to your level ✨