mithalten

Mithalten is a German verb meaning to keep up with someone or something, to maintain pace or level, or to be able to match a comparison. It is commonly used to describe whether a person, a team, a company, or a process can stay on par with others in terms of speed, performance, or standards. The noun das Mithalten refers to the act or ability of keeping up.

The verb is formed from the prefix mit- plus halten (to hold). It denotes accompaniment or parallel progression with something else. In use, it often appears with phrases like mit dem Tempo, mit der Konkurrenz, or mit dem Spitzenniveau mithalten. Examples: “Sie konnte lange mit dem Spitzenteam mithalten.” “Das Unternehmen konnte nicht mehr mit der Konkurrenz mithalten.” The phrase parasitic forms can vary: “mit etwas mithalten können” expresses the ability to keep up, while “nicht mehr mithalten können” signals failing to do so.

Grammar and usage notes: Mithalten is typically used as a separable-prefix verb in finite forms (ich halte mit / du hältst mit / wir halten mit). In the infinitive and past participle, it is written as mithalten and mitgehalten, respectively. It is widely used in spoken and written German and is common across German-speaking regions, including Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It often conveys competitive or comparative nuance rather than mere accompaniment.

See also: mitkommen, mithilfe, mithalten im sportlichen oder wirtschaftlichen Kontext. Related expressions include auf dem Laufenden bleiben (to stay informed) and mit dem eigenen Tempo mithalten (to keep up with one’s own pace).