verhalten
restrained
Reserved, muted, or mild; a reaction or feeling is expressed only to a limited degree.
EXAMPLE
Die Reaktion des Publikums fiel verhalten aus.
The audience's reaction was restrained.
verhalten
restrained
verhalten – verhaltener – am verhaltensten
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry verhalten, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
Comparison
| basic form | verhalten |
|---|---|
| comparative | verhaltener |
| superlative | am verhaltensten |
After der, die, das
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -e | -e | -e | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -e | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to verhalten.
After ein, eine
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -en |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -en |
| dat. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
| gen. | -en | -en | -en | -en |
Add the ending to verhalten.
Without article
| masc. | fem. | neut. | plural | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| nom. | -er | -e | -es | -e |
| acc. | -en | -e | -es | -e |
| dat. | -em | -er | -em | -en |
| gen. | -en | -er | -en | -er |
Add the ending to verhalten.
Usage tips
Typical collocations
'Verhalten' (restrained) is often used with reactions and feelings, for example in 'verhaltener Freude' (restrained joy), 'verhaltener Begeisterung' (restrained enthusiasm), or 'verhaltenem Optimismus' (restrained optimism).
EXAMPLE
Nach dem überraschenden Ergebnis herrschte verhaltener Optimismus.
There was restrained optimism after the surprising result.
Fixed expression
A common expression is 'verhalten ausfallen' (to be restrained). The reaction or response is the subject, and 'ausfallen' (to turn out) describes its nature and intensity.
EXAMPLE
Die Zustimmung der Mitglieder fiel eher verhalten aus.
The members' approval was rather restrained.
Describing reactions
In the context of audiences, the media, or conversations, 'verhalten' (restrained) often describes an observable reaction such as applause, approval, or criticism.
EXAMPLE
Auf die neue Regel gab es im Saal nur verhaltenen Beifall.
The new rule received only restrained applause in the hall.
In real life
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