Halt bitte
/halt ˈbɪtə/word by word
In German, "stop, please" is said as Halt bitte.
This phrase is used as a polite request for someone to cease moving or to stop an action.
What does it mean word for word?
Halt is the imperative form of the verb halten (to stop/hold), and bitte means "please".
Which one should you use?
While Halt bitte is a polite request, using only Halt! without bitte sounds like a sharp command.
How do you pronounce it?
/halt ˈbɪtə/
Did you know?
- The word Halt comes from a Proto-Germanic root meaning 'inclined' or 'slanting', which referred to the act of leaning or slowing down to a stop.
- The word Halt is not only a command to stop, but also a noun meaning 'a halt' or 'a stop', such as at a train station or a bus stop.
- If you want to tell someone to 'stop' because of a traffic light, Germans typically use the word Stopp rather than Halt.
Examples in context
- Halt bitte kurz an.Please stop briefly.
Example conversation
Lukas and Hannah are walking in a park.
- LukasSchau dir diese Blume an!Look at this flower!
- HannahHalt bitte, ich kann nicht schnell laufen.Stop, please, I cannot walk fast.
- LukasOh, entschuldige bitte, Hannah.Oh, sorry, Hannah.
- HannahAlles gut, Lukas.Everything is fine, Lukas.
