01
halten
to hold
To grasp something with your hands or arms and not let go.
example
Kannst du bitte kurz meine Tasche halten?
Can you please hold my bag for a moment?
halten
to hold
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Strong verb
'Halten' is a strong verb with a vowel change in the present tense. In the 2nd and 3rd person singular, the 'a' changes to 'ä' (du hältst, er/sie/es hält). This is a common source of mistakes.
EXAMPLE
Er hält sein Versprechen immer.
He always keeps his promise.
Word family
'Halten' is the base verb for many important verbs with prefixes, such as 'anhalten' (to stop), 'behalten' (to keep / not give away), 'erhalten' (to receive), or 'sich unterhalten' (to talk / converse). The basic meaning of 'halten' often helps you understand these words.
EXAMPLE
Können wir kurz anhalten? Ich möchte ein Foto machen.
Can we stop for a moment? I'd like to take a photo.
Context: vehicles
In the meaning 'stoppen' (to stop), 'halten' is used almost exclusively for public transportation such as buses, trains, or trams. It describes a scheduled stop.
EXAMPLE
Entschuldigung, hält dieser Zug auch in Neustadt?
Excuse me, does this train also stop in Neustadt?
Structure: halten für
The phrase 'jemanden/etwas für etwas halten' (to consider someone/something to be something) expresses an opinion or assessment. The structure is fixed: verb + accusative object + 'für' + adjective or noun in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Ich halte ihn für einen sehr kompetenten Arzt.
I consider him a very competent doctor.
Structure: halten von
The phrase 'etwas von jemandem/etwas halten' (to think something of someone/something) is used to ask for an opinion or express a general opinion. It is formed with the preposition 'von' and the dative.
EXAMPLE
Ich halte nicht viel von seinen Plänen.
I don't think much of his plans.
Fixed combinations
'Halten' forms fixed noun-verb combinations. The best-known is 'eine Rede halten' (to give a speech). Others are 'einen Vortrag halten' (to give a talk/lecture), 'eine Präsentation halten' (to give a presentation), or 'eine Vorlesung halten' (to give a lecture).
EXAMPLE
Nächste Woche muss ich vor der ganzen Abteilung einen Vortrag halten.
Next week I have to give a talk in front of the whole department.
Reflexive with preposition
The phrase 'sich an etwas halten' (to stick to something) is reflexive and always uses the preposition 'an' with the accusative. It means that you follow rules, laws, or agreements.
EXAMPLE
Du musst dich an die Verkehrsregeln halten.
You have to stick to the traffic rules.
Keeping animals
When you own and care for animals, you can say 'Tiere halten' (to keep animals) or 'sich Tiere halten' (to keep animals for oneself). The reflexive variant emphasizes that you have the animals for yourself.
EXAMPLE
Meine Großeltern halten auf dem Bauernhof Hühner und Schafe.
My grandparents keep chickens and sheep on the farm.
Reflexive: shelf life
In the meaning 'haltbar sein' (to keep / remain usable), 'halten' is always used reflexively: 'sich halten'. The subject of the sentence is the food or product.
EXAMPLE
Wie lange hält sich der Joghurt nach dem Öffnen?
How long does the yogurt keep after opening?
Withstanding strain
This meaning describes whether something withstands physical or even emotional strain. The subject is the thing that has to withstand the strain.
EXAMPLE
Ich hoffe, der alte Stuhl hält mein Gewicht.
I hope the old chair holds my weight.
Compare with
halten vs tragen
to wear / carry
'halten' and 'tragen' can both have to do with weight or with an object in your hand. 'halten' emphasizes that you are holding something firmly in your hand or that something is not being let go of. 'tragen' tends to emphasize that you are moving something from one place to another, or that something supports a weight. Learners may confuse the words because, for example, you can hold a bag briefly or carry it for a longer time. If movement is important, 'tragen' usually fits. If holding on to something or supporting it is important, 'halten' usually fits.
halten
Kannst du kurz meine Tasse halten?
Can you hold my cup for a moment?
tragen
Im Treppenhaus trägt Max die schwere Kiste nach oben.
In the stairwell, Max carries the heavy box upstairs.
In real life
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