anhält

Anhält is the third-person singular present tense form of the German verb anhalten. Anhalten is a separable-prefix verb, so in main clauses the prefix often separates: Der Wagen hält an der Haltestelle. The infinitive is anhalten and the past participle is angehalten. Other finite forms include er hielt an (simple past) and er hat angehalten (present perfect).

Meanings and usage

The primary meaning is to stop or bring to a stop, especially a moving object or vehicle. It is also used for pausing a motion or ongoing activity for a moment. In a security or law enforcement context, anhalten can mean to stop a person or vehicle for inspection or questioning, as in Die Polizei hält den Fahrer an.

Grammatical notes

Anhalten is typically separable in the present tense, with the prefix positioned at the end of the clause: Der Bus hält an. In compound tenses, the past participle angehalten is used: Der Bus hat angehalten. The verb can be conjugated in all standard tenses and moods, for example: ich halte an, du hältst an, er hält an; ich hielt an; ich hätte angehalten; wenn er anhalten würde.

Related forms

The noun Anhalten denotes the act or process of stopping. Related verbs and phrases include festhalten (to hold fast) and abhalten (to prevent or to hold back).