behoudt

Beshoudt is a Dutch verb form derived from the infinitive “behouden,” meaning “to retain,” “to keep,” or “to preserve.” In its present‑tense third‑person singular conjugation, “behoudt” translates to “he/she/it retains” or “he/she/it preserves.” The word is commonly used in both formal and colloquial contexts to describe the act of maintaining a state, condition, or possession over time.

Etymologically, “behouden” originates from Middle Dutch “behouwen,” itself composed of the prefix “be‑” (intensifying) and the verb “houden” (to hold). The structure reflects a typical Germanic pattern where a prefix modifies the base verb’s meaning, emphasizing continuity or protection. The noun counterpart is “behoud,” denoting “preservation” or “retention,” and the past participle is “behouden,” also meaning “preserved” or “kept.”

In modern Dutch, “behoudt” appears in a variety of domains: legal texts (“Het contract behoudt de rechten van beide partijen”), scientific literature (“De hypothese behoudt haar geldigheid onder nieuwe gegevens”), and everyday speech (“Hij behoudt zijn kalmte tijdens stress”). The verb can be combined with reflexive pronouns (“zich behouden”) to indicate self‑preservation, and it frequently occurs in idiomatic expressions such as “niet behouden wat men niet heeft” (to not retain what one does not possess).

Grammatically, “behoudt” follows regular weak‑verb conjugation patterns, taking the –t ending for third‑person singular present tense. The verb also forms a regular past tense (“bewaarde”) and past participle (“behouden”) used with auxiliary verbs “hebben” or “zijn” depending on transitivity.