festhalten
[ˈfɛstˌhaltn̩] verb C2- to hold on (to) (to keep another object or person in place) · Er wollte fliehen, aber ich konnte ihn festhalten. He wanted to flee, but I was able to hold on to him.
- to hold on (to) [with an (+ dative) ‘to something’] (to keep oneself in place by gripping a fixture) · Er hat sich an der Reling festgehalten. He held on to the railing.
- to detain, to hold in custody (by force) · Der Aktivist werde in einem Arbeitslager festgehalten. The activist is said to be being detained in a labor camp.
- to stick (to), to remain steadfast (in) · Trotz lautstarker Kritik hielt die Regierung an ihrem Vorhaben fest. Despite vocal criticism, the government stuck to its plan.
- to keep supporting, to keep (someone) on the team · Obwohl seine Leistungen in letzter Zeit enttäuschend waren, hält der Trainer weiter an ihm fest. Even though his performance has been disappointing lately, the coach is keeping him on the team.
- to record, to capture (an event, e.g. through photo, video, or a chronicle) · Ein Handyvideo hält den Moment des Unglücks fest. A phone recording captures the moment of the accident.
- to clearly state, to say for the record · Ich möchte festhalten, dass ich dem nicht grundsätzlich ablehnend gegenüberstehe. I want to clearly state that I am not fundamentally opposed to this.
Verb forms
- Infinitive
- festhalten
- Present (er)
- hält fest
- Präteritum (er)
- hielt fest
- Perfekt (er)
- hat festgehalten
- Infinitive with zu
- festzuhalten
A strong or irregular verb: its stem changes in some forms, so learn its main forms by heart.
From the library
Vielleicht ist es das, was die Hallig einen lehrt: dass man nicht alles festhalten muss, was einen berührt.
Other matches
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