gelten

Definition & meaning

The verb gelten is a highly versatile German word with several primary meanings depending on the context:

1. To be valid or in effect: This refers to laws, rules, agreements, or documents. For example, a ticket or a regulation that is currently active.
2. To apply or relate to: Used to indicate that a statement, observation, or rule is directed toward a specific person or group.
3. To be considered or regarded as: Used to describe someone's reputation or how something is perceived by society (e.g., "to be considered an expert").
4. To be worth or represent: Historically used in the context of value, though this is now less common in everyday speech compared to the other definitions.

Grammar & Word origin

Grammar:

• Verb type: Irregular (strong) verb.
• Conjugation: Present: ich gelte, du giltst, er/sie/es gilt. Past (Präteritum): ich galt. Perfect: hat gegolten.
• Usage: It is often used with the preposition "für" (e.g., "Das gilt für alle" – That applies to everyone) or "als" (e.g., "Er gilt als Genie" – He is considered a genius).

Word origin: The word originates from the Old High German geltan, meaning "to pay, to compensate, or to owe." This is etymologically related to the English word "yield" and the German noun {das Geld} ↗, which originally referred to a payment or a sacrifice. Over time, the meaning shifted from the act of paying to the state of having value or being in force.

Synonyms & antonyms

Synonyms:

• Für Gesetze/Regeln: {gültig sein} [?](vocabuo://word/gültig sein), {in Kraft sein} [?](vocabuo://word/in Kraft sein).
• Für das Angesehen-Werden: {zählen als} [?](vocabuo://word/zählen als), {betrachtet werden als} [?](vocabuo://word/betrachtet werden als), {einen Ruf haben} ↗.
• Für die Anwendung: {betreffen} ↗.

Antonyms:

• {ungültig sein} [?](vocabuo://word/ungültig sein) (to be invalid).
• {außer Kraft sein} [?](vocabuo://word/außer Kraft sein) (to be out of effect).