behielte

Behielte is a conjugated form of the German verb behalten, which means to keep or retain. It functions as a verbal form rather than as a standalone noun or concept. In standard grammar, behielte appears as the Konjunktiv I (present subjunctive) in the first and third person singular forms: ich behielte, er behielte. This mood is used primarily for indirect or reported speech, or in formal writing.

The broader verb behalten belongs to irregular verbs in German. Its indicative past (Präteritum) form is behielt, and the past participle is behalten. In everyday language, speakers more commonly use the present indicative behalte/behält or the construction würde behalten to express ideas that might be conveyed with the subjunctive in other languages. Because behielte is tied to the subjunctive, it is encountered most often in literature, historical texts, or formal discourse where reported speech or hypothetical scenarios are presented.

Etymologically, behalten derives from Germanic roots dating to Old High German, with the base meaning connected to keeping or holding onto something. The form behielte retains the characteristic subjunctive-vowel pattern that marks Konjunktiv I across several German verbs.

In usage, behielte is a specific, relatively infrequent form and readers or listeners are more likely to encounter the indicative forms or the würden-construction for indirect speech. For reference, consult standard German grammar resources or dictionaries that detail Konjunktiv I forms for behalten.