das Festhalten
holding
The act of gripping and holding a person or thing so that it cannot move or break free.
EXAMPLE
Das Festhalten des Kindes verhinderte, dass es auf die Straße lief.
Holding the child prevented it from running into the street.
das Festhalten
holding / recording / detention
das Festhalten
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Meanings
das Festhalten
recording
The written, visual, or technical recording and preservation of information, events, or observations.
EXAMPLE
Das Festhalten der Ergebnisse in einem Protokoll erleichtert die spätere Auswertung.
Recording the results in a report makes it easier to evaluate them later.
das Festhalten an
insisting on
Persisting with an opinion, plan, or habit even though there are reasons for changing it.
EXAMPLE
Sein Festhalten an der alten Methode verhinderte eine schnellere Lösung.
His insistence on the old method prevented a faster solution.
das Festhalten
detention
The temporary prevention of a person from leaving a place, especially by a government agency or another authorized person.
EXAMPLE
Das Festhalten des Verdächtigen dauerte nur wenige Minuten.
The suspect's detention lasted only a few minutes.
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Festhalten, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Festhaltens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Festhalten | – |
| accusative | das Festhalten | – |
| dative | dem Festhalten | – |
| genitive | des Festhaltens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word formation
'Festhalten' is a nominalized infinitive of the separable verb 'festhalten' (to hold on / to retain) and consists of 'fest' (firm) and 'halten' (to hold). As a noun, both parts remain written together; the meaning depends on the particular context.
EXAMPLE
Das Festhalten am Geländer war für die erschöpfte Wanderin besonders wichtig.
Holding on to the railing was especially important for the exhausted hiker.
Typical collocations
In this meaning, 'Festhalten' is often used with a person or thing in the genitive. Typical collocations include 'das Festhalten einer Person' (holding a person), 'kräftiges Festhalten' (a firm grip), and 'sicheres Festhalten' (a secure grip).
EXAMPLE
Das kräftige Festhalten des Seils bewahrte den Kletterer vor dem Abrutschen.
The climber's firm grip on the rope kept him from slipping.
Records
When referring to recording information, 'Festhalten' is often used with 'in' or 'von'. Common collocations include 'das Festhalten in einem Protokoll' (recording in a report) and 'das Festhalten von Beobachtungen' (recording observations).
EXAMPLE
Das schriftliche Festhalten von Beobachtungen erleichtert die spätere Analyse.
Writing down observations makes later analysis easier.
Fixed preposition
When insisting on an opinion, plan, or habit, 'Festhalten' is followed by the preposition 'an' with the dative. The pattern is: 'das Festhalten an + dative'.
EXAMPLE
Sein Festhalten an diesem Plan führte zu langen Diskussionen.
His insistence on this plan led to lengthy discussions.
Official language
The meaning of temporarily preventing someone from moving freely occurs especially in official or legal texts. In this context, 'Festhalten' is often used with people such as suspects or parties involved.
EXAMPLE
Das vorläufige Festhalten des Verdächtigen wurde später rechtlich überprüft.
The suspect's temporary detention was later reviewed from a legal perspective.
In real life
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