Translation of German word "halten" to English
halten
/haːltən/
Meaning
VerbTo grasp or grip.
How to use
The strong verb halten ('to hold / stop / keep / consider') changes its vowel in singular present: ich halte, du hältst, er hält. Past forms: hielt, hat gehalten. It has two key grammatical uses: (1) Impersonal halten von + dative means to think of / have an opinion on (Was hältst du von ihm? — What do you think of him?). (2) halten für + accusative means to consider someone/something as (Ich halte ihn für klug — I consider him smart).
🇬🇧 English
halten
Example
Die Polizisten halten die Straße fest.
The police hold the street tightly.
Jeder bewunderte den bemerkenswerten Halt im Museum.
Everyone admired the remarkable stop at the museum.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- halten von— to think of / have opinion on (requires preposition 'von' + dative)
- halten für— to consider as / take for (requires preposition 'für' + accusative)
- eine Rede halten— to give / deliver a speech (idiom)
📖 Related grammar
🦊 Conjugation of the verb "halten"Full conjugation →
Present Tense (Präsens)
Simple Past (Präteritum)
Perfect (Perfekt)
ich bin/habe gehalten
Imperative (Imperativ)
Frequency rank: #288 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "halten"?▼
The German word "halten" is defined as: "To grasp or grip."
What does the German word "halten" mean?▼
The German word "halten" means "halten" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "halten"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "halten" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "halten"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Die Polizisten halten die Straße fest." (which translates as "The police hold the street tightly.").
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