Håller

Håller is the present tense form of the Swedish verb hålla, from which the English hold is cognate. The meaning encompasses to hold, keep, retain, and maintain, and it is used across physical, temporal, and abstract contexts. Examples include jag håller boken (I am holding the book) and hon håller sitt löfte (she keeps her promise). The verb appears in numerous common expressions, such as hålla avståndet (keep one’s distance), hålla sig till något (stick to something), and hålla på med något (be in the middle of doing something).

Grammatically, håll­er is the present tense for all persons: jag håller, du håller, han/hon håller, vi håller, ni håller, de håller. The past tense is höll, and the supine/past participle is hållit. The verb also forms various separable phrasal constructs in combination with prepositions, which expand its range of meanings beyond the literal act of physically holding something.

Etymology and related forms: hålla derives from Old Norse halda and shares cognates with other Germanic languages, including English hold and German halten. In Swedish, related nouns include håll (a hold or grip) and hållbar (durable), reflecting a broader semantic field around keeping, maintaining, or sustaining.

Usage notes: Håller functions across everyday speech and formal contexts, from describing a physical grasp to describing commitments, schedules, or states. It is a core verb in Svenska and forms part of many common idioms and fixed expressions.