The idea
Use erhalten for receiving or preserving. Use behalten for keeping something already held. Read the complete sentence before choosing: the object, situation, time reference and relationship between speakers can determine the better expression. Where the meanings overlap, both can be possible with a different emphasis. The reference table states the senses taught here; other dictionary senses may require a different translation.
| Expression | Meaning in comparison |
|---|---|
| erhalten | „Erhalten“ kann bekommen oder bewahren bedeuten. |
| behalten | „Behalten“ bedeutet etwas nicht abgeben. |
Examples
- Sie erhalten die Bestätigung per E-Mail.You will receive confirmation by email.
- Du darfst den Stift behalten.You may keep the pen.
- Wir möchten die alte Fassade erhalten.We want to preserve the old façade.
- Bitte behalten Sie die Quittung.Please keep the receipt.
- Den Zugangscode erhalten Sie nach der Anmeldung.You will receive the access code after registering.
- Ich behalte deine Frage für die Abschlussrunde im Kopf.I will keep your question in mind for the final discussion.
Read-aloud uses a synthetic German voice available on your device. Voice quality and availability vary; it does not assess your pronunciation.
No German device voice is available. You can still read the text and use the linked listening resources.
Watch out
Do not reduce erhalten to receiving in every context; alte Gebäude erhalten means preserve them.
Try it yourself
What does “erhalten” mean in the first example sentence? Explain how it differs from the meaning of “behalten”.
Show answer or example answer
„Erhalten“ kann bekommen oder bewahren bedeuten. „Behalten“ bedeutet etwas nicht abgeben.
erhalten matches receiving or preserving; the German definition gives the intended sense.
Explain the choice of word in this sentence. What meaning would the other expression have? Du darfst den Stift behalten.
Show answer or example answer
behalten: „Behalten“ bedeutet etwas nicht abgeben.
Du darfst den Stift behalten. uses behalten for keeping something already held. The answer depends on this context, not only on the spelling of the word.
Write a separate sentence for each expression. Use “erhalten” and “behalten” in different situations.
Show answer or example answer
Mögliche Lösungen: Wir möchten die alte Fassade erhalten. Bitte behalten Sie die Quittung.
The model pair keeps the meanings separate: erhalten expresses receiving or preserving, whereas behalten expresses keeping something already held. Other original sentences are possible if their context supports the chosen sense.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
What does “erhalten” mean in the first example sentence? Explain how it differs from the meaning of “behalten”.
„Erhalten“ kann bekommen oder bewahren bedeuten. „Behalten“ bedeutet etwas nicht abgeben.
Explain the choice of word in this sentence. What meaning would the other expression have? Du darfst den Stift behalten.
behalten: „Behalten“ bedeutet etwas nicht abgeben.
Write a separate sentence for each expression. Use “erhalten” and “behalten” in different situations.
Mögliche Lösungen: Wir möchten die alte Fassade erhalten. Bitte behalten Sie die Quittung.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
Sign up for free to save your practice results in your account and carry on with the story in the game.
Sign up to saveI already have an accountUse it today
Describe two real situations from your day, using erhalten in one and behalten in the other. Underline the detail that makes the chosen meaning appropriate. If both expressions could fit, explain the change in emphasis rather than marking the alternative automatically wrong.