auf|halten
Translation
to stop, to hold up, to delay, to stay (reflexive)
Examples
Der Stau hat uns eine Stunde aufgehalten.
The traffic jam held us up for an hour.
Er hat sich oft im Ausland aufgehalten.
He often stayed abroad.
Kannst du mir bitte die Tür aufhalten?
Can you please hold the door open for me?
Grammar Patterns
((j-n/et4)) aufhalten to hold sb./sth. up, to delay The accident held up the traffic.
sich ((in+3)) aufhalten to stay somewhere Where are you currently staying?
((j-m)) ((et4)) aufhalten to hold sth. open for sb. He held the door open for me.
Similar Words
Etymology
From `auf-` (up, open) and `halten` (to hold). Literally 'to hold up' or 'to hold open'.
Memory Tips
Think of 'holding' (`halten`) someone `auf` (up), stopping their progress. With the reflexive pronoun `sich`, it means holding oneself in a place, i.e., 'to stay'.