to prevent / hold
Loading your saved state.
to prevent
To stop someone from doing a particular action or advise them against it.
Das schlechte Wetter sollte uns nicht davon abhalten, einen Spaziergang zu machen.
The bad weather shouldn't prevent us from going for a walk.
to hold
To hold or conduct a planned event such as a meeting, conference, election, or course.
Die Firma wird ihre jährliche Hauptversammlung nächsten Monat in Berlin abhalten.
The company will hold its annual general meeting in Berlin next month.
to keep out
To keep away or ward off something unwanted, such as cold, rain, or noise.
Ein guter Schirm kann auch starken Regen abhalten.
A good umbrella can also keep out heavy rain.
'Abhalten' (to prevent / to hold) is a separable verb. The prefix 'ab-' goes to the end of the sentence in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
Ich halte dich nicht von deiner Arbeit ab.
I'm not keeping you from your work.
You can recognize the meaning from the sentence structure: the construction 'jemanden von etwas abhalten' (to keep someone from something) means 'to prevent'. If the object is an event (meeting, course), it means 'to hold/conduct'. If the object is a disturbance (rain, cold), it means 'to keep out'.
Lass dich nicht von kleinen Problemen abhalten.
Don't let small problems stop you.
In the meaning 'hindern' (to prevent), 'abhalten' always follows a fixed pattern: jemanden (accusative) von etwas (dative) abhalten.
Die laute Musik hält mich vom Lernen ab.
The loud music keeps me from studying.
In the meaning 'durchführen' (to hold/conduct), 'abhalten' is typically used with organized events. Common combinations are: eine Sitzung abhalten (to hold a meeting), eine Konferenz abhalten (to hold a conference), Wahlen abhalten (to hold elections), or einen Gottesdienst abhalten (to hold a church service).
Die nächste Prüfung wird online abgehalten.
The next exam will be held online.
When 'abhalten' means 'fernhalten' (to keep away/out), the objects are usually unwanted influences. Typical ones are: Kälte abhalten (to keep out the cold), Regen abhalten (to keep out rain), Lärm abhalten (to keep out noise), or Insekten abhalten (to keep insects away).
Dicke Vorhänge können das Sonnenlicht gut abhalten.
Thick curtains can keep out sunlight well.
to prevent
Both words can express that a planned action is not carried out. verhindern usually focuses on the action or event, whereas abhalten typically focuses on the person who wants to carry out the action. When the action is the object, verhindern is the right choice; when the affected person is the focus, abhalten fits.
Die Polizei hielt den Einbrecher vom Einbruch ab.
The police stopped the burglar from breaking in.
Die Polizei verhinderte den Einbruch in der Nacht.
The police prevented the break-in that night.
