Literal translation
hold on to the branches
Meaning
take care, look after yourself
Explanation
This expression means take care, look after yourself, and is used as a warm farewell or word of encouragement before a separation or an ordeal. The word tèn-ti, an imperative form linked to the verb to hold, is not attested on its own as a headword in our dictionaries, but its meaning is unmistakable from context: it is a short second-person command meaning hold on, grip tight. The word branco means branch, but also, by extension, a vein or a ramification: gripping the branches evokes the image of someone in precarious balance, climbing or crossing a difficult passage, who must hold on firmly not to fall. Applied to everyday life, the phrase becomes a vivid way of recommending caution and resilience in the face of coming hardship, much as one might say hang in there in familiar French before announcing a difficult period or an uncertain departure. The register is familiar and warm, marked by genuine care, and is commonly used at the end of a conversation, in the register of sociable, affectionate relations between close ones.