ich möchte dich behalten
The phrase "I want to keep you" in German is ich möchte dich behalten.
This phrase is used to express the desire to maintain a relationship with someone or not let them go.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of ich (I), möchte (would like), dich (you – accusative) and behalten (to keep/retain).
Which one should you use?
Using Ich will dich behalten instead of möchte makes the desire sound more forceful and direct, whereas möchte is more polite and soft.
How does it change in a sentence?
The verb behalten is placed at the end of the sentence because it is the infinitive following the modal verb möchte.
Did you know?
- The word behalten is a linguistic relative of the English word 'behold'. Both descend from the Proto-West Germanic word *bihaldan.
- The verb behalten is also used for memory. To say you have memorized something, you use the phrase im Kopf behalten, which literally means 'to keep in the head'.
- Using behalten for a person can sound significantly more possessive than the English 'keep'. In some contexts, it can imply ownership rather than just a desire for a relationship to continue.
Examples in context
- Ich möchte dich für immer behalten.I want to keep you forever.
Example conversation
Sarah and Felix are talking about their future together.
- SarahIch habe Angst, dass du mich irgendwann verlässt.I am afraid that you will leave me someday.
- FelixWarum denkst du das, Sarah?Why do you think that, Sarah?
- SarahIch liebe dich einfach und ich möchte dich behalten.I just love you and I want to keep you.
- FelixIch gehe nirgendwo hin, Felix bleibt hier.I'm not going anywhere, Felix is staying here.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries behalten, dich, ich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
