bereithalten
to keep ready
To have something available and within reach for a particular purpose or person.
EXAMPLE
Halten Sie am Eingang bitte Ihre Eintrittskarte und einen Ausweis bereit.
Please have your ticket and an ID ready at the entrance.
bereithalten
to keep ready
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Meanings
sich bereithalten
to stand by
To be ready to take on a task or begin an operation at any time.
EXAMPLE
Die Feuerwehrleute halten sich für den nächsten Notruf bereit.
The firefighters are standing by for the next emergency call.
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb is composed of the adjective 'bereit' (ready, available) and the verb 'halten' (to hold / keep). The literal meaning is therefore 'to keep something ready' or 'to keep available'.
EXAMPLE
Der Sanitäter hält den Verbandskasten für den Notfall bereit.
The paramedic keeps the first-aid kit ready for emergencies.
Separable verb
'Bereithalten' (to keep ready) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'bereit' goes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Ich halte die Dokumente für das Treffen bereit.
I keep the documents ready for the meeting.
Register and style
This form is very often used in official requests or announcements, for example at the airport, on the train, or during inspections.
EXAMPLE
Alle Passagiere werden gebeten, ihre Bordkarten bereitzuhalten.
All passengers are asked to have their boarding passes ready.
Reflexive use
When a person is ready for deployment or action, the verb is used reflexively: 'sich bereithalten' (to stand by / to keep oneself ready). It is often followed by the preposition 'für' (for) to name the purpose or upcoming operation.
EXAMPLE
Die Rettungskräfte halten sich für einen möglichen Einsatz bereit.
The rescue workers are standing by for a possible deployment.
Compare with
bereithalten vs vorbereiten
to prepare
You can prepare something or keep it ready for an upcoming task. Vorbereiten means actively getting, organizing, or planning it; bereithalten mainly means having it available and within reach. If you are adapting something, choose “vorbereiten”; if you only need it at the right time, “bereithalten” is more appropriate.
bereithalten
Für den Vortrag soll ich den Laptop schon bereithalten.
I’m supposed to have the laptop ready for the presentation.
vorbereiten
Vor dem Vortrag muss ich die Folien noch vorbereiten.
I still have to prepare the slides before the presentation.
In real life
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