Behålla

Behålla is a Swedish verb meaning to keep, retain, or preserve something that one previously had or is expected to keep. It is used transitively with a direct object, as in att behålla kontrollen (to retain control) or att behålla sina pengar (to keep one’s money). The sense often contrasts with giving up, losing, or discarding something.

Etymology and related forms: Behålla is formed from the verb hålla (to hold) with the prefix be-, a common Germanic combination that yields a causative or intensifying meaning. The word has cognates in other Scandinavian languages, such as Norwegian and Danish, where similar forms express the idea of retaining or keeping.

Conjugation and grammar: In present tense, the form is jag behåller, du behåller, han/hon/den/det behåller, vi behåller, ni behåller, de behåller. In the past tense it is jag behöll, du behöll, han/hon/den/det behöll, vi behöll, ni behöll, de behöll. The past participle is behållit, used with have/has in perfect tenses (har behållit). The present participle is behållande, used to form adjectival phrases such as retaining or retainingly.

Usage and nuance: Behålla emphasizes retaining something that is already in one’s possession or under one’s control, rather than creating or preserving something new. It can cover ideas like retaining ownership, keeping one’s calm, or maintaining a situation. In contexts emphasizing preservation over time, bevara or konserv (preserve) can be preferred depending on nuance.

See also: hålla, bevara, bevarande. Translations include “to keep,” “to retain,” and “to preserve.”