behåller

Behålla is a Swedish verb meaning to keep, retain, or preserve something in one’s possession, or to maintain a state, memory, or rule unchanged. It is a transitive verb and typically used with a direct object. The nuance centers on intentional retention rather than mere possession. It can describe tangible objects as well as abstract concepts such as rights, information, or habits.

Common uses include both physical objects and abstract ideas. Examples: “Hon behåller sina nycklar i fickan” (she keeps her keys in her pocket), “Hon behåller kontrollen över situationen” (she keeps control of the situation). In legal or formal contexts you might encounter phrases like “Lagen behåller rätten att överklaga beslutet” or “Företaget behåller sin position på marknaden.” The verb also appears in narrative past tense: “Hon behöll lugnet under krisen.” Overall, behålla conveys a deliberate act of not giving up or letting go something.

Conjugation and forms: infinitive is att behålla. Present tense is behåller (jag behåller, du behåller, han/hon behåller, vi behåller, ni behåller, de behåller). Preterite (simple past) is behöll. Past participle is behållit, used with have/have in perfect tenses (jag har behållit). Imperative is behåll.

Etymology and related terms: the verb originates from be- plus hålla (to hold), reflecting a sense of retaining or keeping. Related Swedish verbs include bevara (to preserve) and hålla (to hold).