behalten

keep

verb be-HAL-ten Less Common

Origin: from be- plus halten ('to hold')

Also means

retain

Usage Note

behalten means to keep what one already has, as opposed to halten ('to hold') or bekommen ('to get'). It is inseparable and strong (behielt, behalten). Note etwas im Kopf behalten ('to keep something in mind, memorise').

Examples

"Du kannst das Buch behalten."

Natural Translation

You can keep the book.

Literal Translation

You can the book keep.

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