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beibehalten
/ˈbaɪ̯bəˌhaltn̩/
maintain
Die Firma wird ihre bewährten Methoden beibehalten.
The company will maintain its proven methods.
formal
to keep or continue something as it is; to retain
Er hat beschlossen, sein altes Auto beizubehalten, obwohl es reparaturanfällig ist.
He decided to keep his old car, even though it’s prone to breakdowns.
Die Tradition wird in unserer Familie seit Generationen beibehalten.
The tradition has been maintained in our family for generations.
Often used in contexts where a state, practice, or condition is preserved despite changes or challenges.
Law
legal/administrative
to keep a rule, law, or policy unchanged
Das Gericht entschied, den ursprünglichen Beschluss beizubehalten.
The court decided to maintain the original ruling.
Common in legal or official contexts where decisions or regulations are preserved.
Collocations
eine Gewohnheit beibehaltento maintain a habiteine Regel beibehaltento keep a ruleeine Tradition beibehaltento preserve a tradition
Antonyms
Pro Tip
Separable verb
Remember that 'beibehalten' is a separable verb. In main clauses, the prefix 'be-' moves to the end of the sentence (e.g., 'Er hält seine Meinung bei.'). In subordinate clauses, it stays attached (e.g., '..., weil er seine Meinung beibehält.').
Gold Rule
Context matters
Use 'beibehalten' when emphasizing the act of preserving or continuing something intentionally. For passive retention (e.g., 'The law remains unchanged'), 'beibehalten' is appropriate, but for neutral continuation, 'fortsetzen' or 'weiterführen' may also work.
Word Origin
From Middle High German *beibehalten*, from Old High German *beihaltan*, from *bei-* (together, with) + *haltan* (to hold). Cognate with English 'behold' and Dutch 'behouden'.
Usage Notes
Used in both everyday and formal contexts. Often implies a deliberate choice to preserve something despite potential alternatives. The separable prefix 'be-' emphasizes the completion or persistence of the action.
Word Breakdown
bei-
prefix indicating persistence or completion
prefixbehalten
to hold or keep
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