to reserve / to retain
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to be reserved for
To be intended or reserved exclusively for a certain person or group. It is almost always used in the passive.
Die Nutzung dieses Eingangs ist nur dem Personal vorbehalten.
Use of this entrance is reserved for staff only.
to reserve the right
To secure the right to do or decide something at a later point in time. A formal expression.
Wir behalten uns vor, das Angebot bei Bedarf zu ändern.
We reserve the right to change the offer if necessary.
'Vorbehalten' (to reserve/retain) is a separable verb. The prefix 'vor-' comes at the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive, the verb stays together.
Ich behalte mir eine Entscheidung vor.
I reserve the decision for myself.
The verb 'vorbehalten' (to reserve/retain) belongs to formal language. You often find it in contracts, official announcements, or business communication.
Der Veranstalter behält sich Programmänderungen vor.
The organizer reserves the right to make program changes.
In this meaning, the structure 'jemandem vorbehalten sein' (to be reserved for someone) is used. The person or group for whom something is reserved is always in the dative.
Diese Parkplätze sind den Mitarbeitern der Firma vorbehalten.
These parking spaces are reserved for the company's employees.
This meaning is formed with a reflexive structure: 'sich (Dativ) etwas (Akkusativ) vorbehalten' (to reserve something for oneself). You reserve the right to something for yourself.
Ich behalte mir das Recht vor, rechtliche Schritte einzuleiten.
I reserve the right to take legal action.
to provide for / beware
Both words can indicate that something is intended for a person or group. „Vorsehen“ mainly describes the planned purpose and leaves other uses open. „Vorbehalten“ on the other hand signals that only this person or group is supposed to use it.
Die ersten Plätze sind ausschließlich Familien vorbehalten.
The first few seats are reserved exclusively for families.
Die Veranstalter haben einige Plätze für Familien vorgesehen.
The organizers have set aside some seats for families.
