das  Anhalten

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈanˌhaltən/

🛑 What does 'das Anhalten' mean?

Das Anhalten is a nominalized verb (from the verb anhalten) and primarily has two meanings in German:

1. The act of stopping or coming to a halt: This often refers to vehicles, people, or processes. It describes the moment or action of stopping. (e.g., das Anhalten des Autos - the stopping of the car)
2. The continuation or persistence: This meaning refers to a state, feeling, or situation that continues for a certain period, e.g., the persistence of good weather (das Anhalten von gutem Wetter) or the continuation of applause (das Anhalten von Beifall).

Since it's the nominalization of a verb, it is always neuter (das Anhalten) and is typically used only in the singular, as it describes a process or state.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📖 Grammar of 'das Anhalten' in Detail

Das Anhalten is a noun of neuter gender. It is derived from the verb anhalten (nominalization). It almost exclusively appears in the singular.

📝 Example Sentences

• Meaning 1 (Stopping): Das plötzliche Anhalten des Busses war unerwartet. (The sudden stopping of the bus was unexpected.)
• Meaning 1 (Stopping): Die Polizei signalisierte dem Fahrer das Anhalten. (The police signaled the driver to stop. / lit. ... signaled the stopping.)
• Meaning 2 (Duration): Das Anhalten der Trockenheit bereitete den Bauern Sorgen. (The persistence of the drought worried the farmers.)
• Meaning 2 (Duration): Wir hoffen auf ein baldiges Anhalten des schönen Wetters. (We hope for a soon continuation of the nice weather.)

🗣️ How to use 'das Anhalten'?

The use of das Anhalten depends heavily on the context:

• Traffic (Verkehr): Very common in connection with vehicles (das Anhalten an der roten Ampel - stopping at the red light, das Anhalten am Straßenrand - stopping at the roadside).
• Processes/Procedures (Prozesse/Abläufe): Can also refer to the interruption or stopping of a process (das Anhalten der Produktion - the stopping of production).
• Police/Control (Polizei/Kontrolle): In the sense of an order to stop (das Anhalten zur Personenkontrolle - stopping for an identity check).
• Duration/Continuity (Dauer/Kontinuität): Describes the persistence of a state (das Anhalten der Schmerzen - the persistence of pain, das Anhalten des Beifalls - the continuation of applause, das Anhalten der Kälteperiode - the persistence of the cold spell).

Difference from 'der Stopp': While 'der Stopp' often refers to a planned or defined stopping point (e.g., Busstopp - bus stop), 'das Anhalten' describes the actual process of coming to a halt.

Difference from 'die Dauer': 'Die Dauer' refers to the duration or length of time, whereas 'das Anhalten' (in its second meaning) describes the phenomenon of persisting or continuing itself.

🧠 Mnemonics for 'das Anhalten'

For the article 'das': Remember that nominalized verbs (verbs turned into nouns) in German are usually neuter. The verb is anhalten, so it becomes das Anhalten. Imagine saying: "Das ist das Anhalten!" (That is the stopping!) when pointing at a stopping car or ongoing weather.

For the meanings:
1. Think of having to halt at (an) a light -> Anhalten (Stopping).
2. Think of good weather holding on (hält an) -> Anhalten (Persisting/Continuing).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Potential for Confusion:

• Der Anhalt: Often means 'clue', 'support', 'indication', or 'point of reference'. Example: Es gab keinen Anhalt für seine Schuld. (There was no evidence/indication of his guilt.) Do not confuse with 'das Anhalten'!

😂 A Little Joke

Fahrlehrer: "Was tun Sie beim plötzlichen Anhalten des Motors während der Fahrt?"
Fahrschüler: "Erstmal wundern, was der Motor plötzlich anhält... ich dachte, das mache ich mit der Bremse!"

(Driving instructor: "What do you do if the engine suddenly stops while driving?"
Learner driver: "First, wonder what the engine is suddenly stopping... I thought I did that with the brake!")

(Note: The joke plays on 'anhalten' meaning 'to stop' (usually initiated by the driver) versus the engine 'stopping' by itself, and the learner confusing who/what performs the action.)

📜 Poem about the Word

Ob Regen, der nicht enden mag,
ob Bus, der hält an diesem Tag.
Ob Beifall, laut und lang,
ob Stille nach dem Überschwang.
Das Anhalten, mal kurz, mal lang,
beendet Fahrt und Gesang,
oder lässt die Zeit verweilen,
in schönen oder schweren Zeilen.

(Whether rain that doesn't want to end,
Or bus that stops today, my friend.
Whether applause, loud and long,
Or silence after joyful song.
The stopping/persisting, sometimes short, sometimes long,
Ends journeys and the singer's song,
Or lets time linger for a while,
In beautiful or heavy style.)

❓ Little Riddle

Ich bin ein Stopp für Bus und Bahn,
doch sorge auch, dass Wetter bleiben kann.
Die Polizei kennt mich genau,
wenn sie dich stoppt, sei lieber schlau!

Was bin ich?

(I am a stop for bus and train,
But also ensure that weather can remain.
The police know me quite well,
If they stop you, better think fast, don't dwell!

What am I?)
(Answer: das Anhalten)

💡 Other Information

Word Formation (Wortbildung):

Das Anhalten is a nominalization of the verb anhalten. Such nominalizations in German form nouns that describe a process, activity, or state expressed by the verb. They are always neuter and take the article 'das'.

an + halten -> anhalten (verb) -> das Anhalten (noun)

(an = prefix, often indicating 'start', 'towards', or 'continuation'; halten = to hold/stop)