verb

beibehalten

maintain · retain

Etwas so lassen, wie es ist, und nicht verändern oder aufgeben.

Definition & meaning

The verb beibehalten means to maintain, keep, retain, or continue with something. It implies that a state, a practice, a rule, or an object is kept as it is instead of being changed, discarded, or abandoned.

To retain or keep: To continue to hold onto something or keep a specific habit or characteristic (e.g., keeping a specific workflow).
To maintain: To preserve a certain status or level (e.g., maintaining a specific speed or temperature).

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar: This is a separable verb (trennbares Verb). In a sentence, the prefix bei- moves to the end.

Example: "Wir behalten die Regel bei." (We are keeping the rule.)

Word origin: The word is a compound of the preposition bei (at, near, with) and the verb halten (to hold). Literally, it translates to "to hold [something] at [its place]," meaning not to let go or change it.