aufhalten
stop · stay · hold up
Jemanden oder etwas daran hindern, weiterzugehen oder weiterzumachen.
The German word "aufhalten" is a separable verb composed of:
- "auf" (prefix meaning "up" or "open")
- "halten" (verb meaning "to hold" or "to keep")
Meaning:
"Aufhalten" primarily means "to stop," "to hold up," or "to delay" someone or something. It can also mean "to keep open" (e.g., a door) or "to stay" (as in lodging temporarily).
Similar words:
- "stoppen" (to stop)
- "verzögern" (to delay)
- "aufbewahren" (to keep, store) but context differs
Difference:
- Unlike "stoppen," which simply means to stop, "aufhalten" often has a nuance of actively preventing movement or progress with focus on holding or stopping temporarily.
- Compared to "verzögern," which implies causing a delay often unintentionally or as a side effect, "aufhalten" tends to imply a more direct, active stopping or holding effect.
- "Aufhalten" when meaning "keep open" is unique compared to its synonyms which don’t carry this meaning.
Make “aufhalten” part of your vocabulary.
Build your German vocabulary with flashcards, audio and spaced repetition.
Examples
Die Polizei hält den Dieb auf.verb
The police are stopping the thief.
Er hält sich in der Bibliothek auf.verb
He stays in the library.
Wir wollen uns nicht lange aufhalten.verb
We do not want to stay long.
Wir wollen die Leute nicht aufhalten.verb
We don't want to hold up the people.
Man sollte nicht zu lange bleiben, um niemanden aufzuhalten.verb
One should not stay too long in order not to hold anyone up.
Keep exploring German
Learn words from the content you love.
Add words from websites, books and videos, then remember them with spaced repetition (SRS).
Scan for iPhone & iPad