festhalten
to hold
To grip something or someone firmly with the hands or arms and not let go.
EXAMPLE
Bitte halte das Bild gerade, während ich den Nagel in die Wand schlage.
Please hold the picture straight while I hammer the nail into the wall.
festhalten
to hold / record
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Meanings
festhalten
to record
To record information, thoughts, or events in writing, images, or audio in order to document them.
EXAMPLE
Die wichtigsten Ergebnisse des Gesprächs wurden im Protokoll festgehalten.
The most important results of the conversation were recorded in the minutes.
an etwas festhalten
to stick to something
To remain committed to an opinion, plan, or belief and not give it up, even in the face of opposition.
EXAMPLE
Trotz der Kritik hält der Trainer an seiner Strategie fest.
Despite the criticism, the coach is sticking to his strategy.
festhalten
to detain
To prevent a person from leaving; to temporarily detain someone.
EXAMPLE
Die Polizei konnte den Dieb auf frischer Tat festhalten.
The police were able to detain the thief in the act.
festhalten
to state
To state or emphasize something forcefully, often as an introduction to an important statement.
EXAMPLE
Ich möchte festhalten, dass diese Entscheidung ohne meine Zustimmung getroffen wurde.
I would like to state that this decision was made without my consent.
Usage tips
Word structure
The verb is made up of 'fest' (firmly) and 'halten' (to hold). The literal meaning 'to hold something firmly in one's hand' is the basis for all figurative meanings, such as holding on to an idea or recording information.
EXAMPLE
Er hielt den entscheidenden Moment in einem Foto fest.
He captured the decisive moment in a photo.
Separable verb
'Festhalten' (to hold / record) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'fest' goes at the end. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Halte bitte meine Tasche kurz fest.
Please hold my bag for a moment.
Reflexive use
In the literal meaning, the reflexive form 'sich festhalten' (to hold on) is often used, usually followed by the preposition 'an' with the dative. This describes giving oneself support.
EXAMPLE
Das Kind hielt sich ängstlich an der Hand seiner Mutter fest.
The child anxiously held on to his mother's hand.
Typical collocations
In the sense of 'dokumentieren' (to document), 'festhalten' (to record) is combined with abstract nouns such as 'Ergebnisse' (results), 'Ideen' (ideas), 'Gedanken' (thoughts), or 'Punkte' (points). The place or form of the record is often mentioned, e.g. 'im Protokoll' (in the minutes) or 'schriftlich' (in writing).
EXAMPLE
Wir sollten diese Idee schriftlich festhalten, bevor wir sie vergessen.
We should record this idea in writing before we forget it.
Fixed preposition
To express that someone is sticking to an opinion or plan, 'festhalten' (to stick to) is always used with the preposition 'an' and the dative. The pattern is: an etwas (dative) festhalten.
EXAMPLE
Sie hält an ihrem ursprünglichen Plan fest, obwohl es Schwierigkeiten gibt.
She is sticking to her original plan, even though there are difficulties.
Context clue
The meaning 'to prevent someone from leaving' is used almost only in the context of police, security, or crime. In this case, the object is always a person.
EXAMPLE
Der Ladendetektiv hielt den Dieb bis zum Eintreffen der Polizei fest.
The store detective detained the thief until the police arrived.
Usage pattern
To emphasize an important statement, 'festhalten' (to state) is often used in fixed formulations such as 'Ich möchte festhalten, dass ...' (I would like to state that ...) or 'Es lässt sich festhalten, dass ...' (It can be stated that ...). This introduces a conclusion or a central point.
EXAMPLE
Lassen Sie uns festhalten: Das Projekt wird wie geplant fortgesetzt.
Let us state this clearly: the project will continue as planned.
Compare with
bleibenfeststellenaufhaltendokumentierenbeibehaltenbannenvermerkenaufrechterhaltenzurückhalteneinfangenniederlegenverewigen
festhalten vs bleiben
to stay / remain
Here, bleiben bei and an etwas festhalten both mean that someone does not give up an opinion or plan. You use bleiben bei einem Plan, but an einem Plan festhalten. Festhalten can additionally emphasize that this happens despite opposition.
festhalten
Wir halten trotz der Kritik an unserem Plan fest.
Despite the criticism, we are holding to our plan.
bleiben
Wir bleiben trotz der Kritik bei unserem Plan.
Despite the criticism, we are sticking with our plan.
In real life
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