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prendre son temps
/pʁɑ̃dʁ sɔ̃ tɑ̃/◆idiom
take one's time
Ne te presse pas, prends ton temps pour finir le projet.
Don't rush, take your time to finish the project.
informal
To proceed or act without rushing, allowing oneself to work at a comfortable pace.
Il a pris son temps pour répondre à la lettre.
He took his time to answer the letter.
Prends ton temps, il n'y a pas d'urgence.
Take your time, there's no rush.
Often used to reassure someone or encourage patience.
Collocations
prendre tout son tempstake all the time one needssans se presserwithout hurrying
Antonyms
Related Phrases
Pro Tip
Cultural Context
In France, 'prendre son temps' reflects a cultural appreciation for leisure and reflection, contrasting with more fast-paced societies. It’s often used to encourage mindfulness or patience.
Gold Rule
Usage in Reassurance
Use 'prendre son temps' to calm someone down or emphasize that there’s no need to rush. Example: 'Prends ton temps, je t’attends.'
Word Origin
From the verb 'prendre' (to take) + 'son temps' (one's time). The phrase emerged in 19th-century French to describe leisurely or unhurried action.
Usage Notes
Common in both spoken and written French. Often used in reassuring contexts or to indicate a lack of urgency.
Word Breakdown
prendre
to take
verbson
one's
possessive pronountemps
time
nounDictionnaire Français-Anglais