halten
/ˈhaltn̩/
The English verb 'hold' is translated into German as halten.
halten is the most common and standard translation for 'hold' in German, specifically when meaning to grasp something. Depending on the context, it can also mean 'to stop', such as a car or a person coming to a halt. If you want to emphasize a firm or secure hold, you may use the related verb festhalten.
Meaning: to grasp (verb)
Which one should you use?
While halten is the general term for grasping, festhalten is used when the intent is to hold something securely or tightly.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
halten is a strong verb. This means its stem vowel changes in certain forms: in the third person singular present tense, the 'a' changes to 'ä' (e.g., hält). The simple past tense of the verb is hielt, and the past participle is gehalten.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhaltn̩/
Did you know?
- The verb halten can also be used to express an opinion, as in the phrase etwas von jemandem halten, which translates to 'to think of someone' or 'to hold an opinion about someone'.
- The German word for a bus or train stop, Haltestelle, is derived directly from halten in the sense of 'stopping'.
- The German verb halten is a direct linguistic sibling to the English 'hold', sharing the same Proto-Germanic ancestor.
Examples in context
- Halten Sie das Seil.Hold the rope.This sentence shows how to use halten to give an instruction to hold a rope.Tatoeba #7347028 by Yorwba, translation #29440 by CK
- Halten Sie die Kerze.Hold the candle.This sentence demonstrates the use of halten when asking someone to hold a candle.Tatoeba #7485716 by Yorwba, translation #2245583 by CK
- Halten Sie das Seil fest.Hold the rope tight.This sentence illustrates how halten can be used when instructing someone to hold something tight.Tatoeba #11741167 by nexx, translation #2258683 by _undertoad
- Bitte festhalten während der Fahrt!Please hold on tight during the ride!
- Das Auto beschleunigt schnell, also festhalten!The car accelerates quickly, so hold on tight!
- 69 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Hannah are carrying a large box together.
- LukasKannst du das Ende halten?Can you hold the end?
- HannahJa, ich halte es fest.Yes, I am holding it tightly.
- LukasDanke, Hannah. Jetzt können wir gehen.Thanks, Hannah. Now we can go.
- HannahPass auf, dass du nicht loslässt.Be careful not to let go.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hold” translations and entries halten, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries halten, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
