fernhalten

Fernhalten is a German verb that means to keep someone or something away at a distance or to prevent contact or involvement. It can refer to physical separation as well as to figurative avoidance, such as refraining from certain actions or influences.

The word combines fern, meaning distant, with halten, to hold or keep. Historically, the sense was primarily about maintaining physical distance, but in everyday language it has broadened to describe keeping people away from risks, unwanted influences, or undesirable situations, as well as avoiding certain behaviors oneself.

Typical usages include the construction jemanden von etwas fernhalten, meaning to keep someone away from something, and sich von etwas fernhalten, meaning to refrain from something oneself. Examples: Die Lehrerin hält die Schüler von dem riskanten Bereich fern. Die Maßnahme soll die Ausbreitung des Virus fernhalten. Ich halte mich von Zucker fern. Man versucht, Kinder von Gewaltinhalten fernzuhalten. In more general terms, fernhalten can be part of discussions about safety, health, or personal boundaries.

Notes on nuance: fernhalten emphasizes an active effort to prevent contact or discourage involvement, whereas sich fernhalten emphasizes voluntary avoidance. Related terms include Abstand halten (keeping distance), sich von etwas fernhalten (to refrain from something), and abhalten (to deter or prevent someone from doing something).

See also: Abstand halten, sich fernhalten, abhalten.