hochhalten
to hold up
To lift something up with the hands or arms and hold it there so that it is clearly visible.
EXAMPLE
Die Demonstranten hielten ihre Plakate hoch.
The demonstrators held up their signs.
hochhalten
to hold up
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Meanings
hochhalten
to uphold
To honor and preserve a value, principle, tradition, or memory.
EXAMPLE
Es ist wichtig, die Werte der Demokratie und Freiheit hochzuhalten.
It is important to uphold the values of democracy and freedom.
hochhalten
to keep up
In sports, especially soccer, to keep a ball in the air repeatedly with the feet, knees, or head without it touching the ground.
EXAMPLE
Er kann den Ball über hundertmal hochhalten, ohne dass er herunterfällt.
He can keep the ball up more than a hundred times without it falling down.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Hochhalten' (to hold up) is a separable verb. In a main clause, the prefix 'hoch' comes at the end. In subordinate clauses or in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Die Siegerin hält den Pokal stolz hoch.
The winner proudly holds up the trophy.
Context clues
The object reveals the meaning: if someone holds up a concrete object, the literal meaning is intended. With an abstract concept like 'Werte' (values) or 'Tradition' (tradition), the figurative meaning is intended. In a sports context, it usually refers to a ball.
EXAMPLE
Er hielt das Baby hoch, damit es alle sehen konnten.
He held up the baby so that everyone could see it.
Typical collocations
In the figurative meaning, 'hochhalten' (to uphold) is often used with abstract nouns. Typical combinations are 'die Tradition hochhalten' (to uphold the tradition), 'die Ehre hochhalten' (to uphold honor), 'Werte hochhalten' (to uphold values), or 'das Andenken an jemanden hochhalten' (to honor someone's memory).
EXAMPLE
Auch in schwierigen Zeiten müssen wir die Ideale der Gerechtigkeit hochhalten.
Even in difficult times, we must uphold the ideals of justice.
Compare with
hochhalten vs jonglieren
to juggle
When juggling, several objects are skillfully thrown and caught again. With „hochhalten“, by contrast, a single ball is kept in the air during sports by touching it with the feet, knees, or head. In soccer training, „hochhalten“ is therefore the appropriate term, while jonglieren is used for several thrown balls.
hochhalten
Beim Training hält Amir einen Fußball mit Füßen und Knien hoch.
During training, Amir keeps a soccer ball in the air with his feet and knees.
jonglieren
Beim Training jongliert Amir mit drei Bällen und fängt sie immer wieder auf.
During training, Amir juggles three balls and catches them again and again.
In real life
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