behält

Behalten is a German verb meaning to keep, retain, or preserve something. The form behält is the third-person singular present indicative, as in er behält. The verb is used with a direct object and often appears with phrases that emphasize retaining possession or memory. The infinitive is behalten and the past participle is also behalten; the present perfect is formed with haben, for example: er hat behalten.

Conjugation highlights: in the present tense, the forms are ich behalte, du behältst, er behält, wir behalten, ihr behaltet, sie behalten. The simple past (Präteritum) forms include ich behielt, du behieltst, er behielt, wir behielten, ihr behieltet, sie behielten. The Konjunktiv II (subjunctive) form is behielte. The perfect tense uses haben with the participle: ich habe behalten, du hast behalten, er hat behalten.

Usage and nuance: behalten is transitive and takes a direct object, such as das Geld, den Ring oder eine Entscheidung. Common uses include keeping something in one's possession or memory. Idiomatic expressions include etwas im Gedächtnis behalten (to keep something in mind) and den Überblick behalten (to keep track of things). A notable sentence is Ich behalte mir das Recht vor, meaning “I reserve the right.” Behalten often contrasts with bewahren (to preserve, especially against loss) and aufbewahren (to store or safekeep).

Etymology and related forms: behalten derives from halten with the prefix be-, which alters the meaning toward obtaining or maintaining possession. The noun form Behalten (retention) is possible, though in many contexts alternative nouns like Aufbewahrung or Gedächtnisstütze are more common.