die  Beibehaltung

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbaɪbəhaltʊŋ/

📖 What does "Beibehaltung" mean?

Die Beibehaltung means the act or state of retention, maintenance, or keeping something. It's about not changing or giving up an existing state, rule, habit, or possession.

It's a noun derived from the verb beibehalten (to keep, to retain). It is often used in formal, administrative, or legal contexts.

Since the word only takes the article "die", there are no different meanings based on the article. 💡

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar in Detail: Die Beibehaltung

The noun "Beibehaltung" is feminine. Therefore, the definite article is always die.

It's a typical abstract noun ending in "-ung", which usually indicates a feminine gender in German.

Declension (Singular)

Declension (Plural)

The plural of "Beibehaltung" is "die Beibehaltungen". However, it is rarely used because it is an abstract noun. When used, it usually refers to multiple specific instances or acts of retention.

📝 Example Sentences

1. Die Firma beschloss die Beibehaltung der alten Software trotz einiger Nachteile.
   (The company decided on the retention of the old software despite some disadvantages.)
2. Die Beibehaltung von Traditionen ist vielen Menschen wichtig.
   (The maintenance of traditions is important to many people.)
3. Im Vertrag wurde die Beibehaltung der bisherigen Konditionen vereinbart.
   (In the contract, the retention of the previous conditions was agreed upon.)
4. Die Beibehaltung der Staatsbürgerschaft muss beantragt werden.
   (The retention of citizenship must be applied for.)

📌 How to use "Beibehaltung"?

"Beibehaltung" is mostly used in rather formal or official contexts. Here are some typical scenarios:

• Law & Administration: Often refers to the maintenance or retention of laws, regulations, status (e.g., citizenship), or contracts. Example: die Beibehaltung einer Genehmigung (the retention of a permit).
• Business & Work: Can relate to maintaining strategies, jobs, processes, or market shares. Example: die Beibehaltung der aktuellen Preisstruktur (the maintenance of the current price structure).
• Technology: Retention of settings, standards, or compatibility. Example: die Beibehaltung der Abwärtskompatibilität (maintaining backward compatibility).
• Personal/Social: Can also refer to maintaining habits, traditions, or relationships in private life, although simpler words like "Bewahrung" (preservation) or "Festhalten an" (sticking to) are often used here. Example: die Beibehaltung alter Freundschaften (the maintenance of old friendships).

Compared to synonyms like "Erhaltung" (preservation) or "Aufrechterhaltung" (maintenance, upholding), "Beibehaltung" often emphasizes the active decision or necessity *not* to change something, whereas the others can also describe a more natural process.

🧠 Mnemonics for Beibehaltung

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine. Think of the phrase: "KeepING somethING" ends in -ung and needs **die** Beibehaltung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine you want to 'keep something BY your side' (bei means 'by' or 'near'). You want to 'be holding' onto it. That act is **Beibehaltung** - retention or keeping.

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Watch out: Don't confuse with "Vorbehalt" (reservation, proviso - a condition or restriction).

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Was halten Sie von der Beibehaltung der Kernarbeitszeit von 9 bis 17 Uhr?"

Antwortet der Mitarbeiter: "Grundsätzlich eine gute Idee, Herr Direktor. Vor allem die Beibehaltung des Feierabends um 17 Uhr!" 😄

--- English Translation ---

The boss asks the new employee: "What do you think about the retention of the core working hours from 9 am to 5 pm?"

The employee replies: "Basically a good idea, director. Especially the retention of the quitting time at 5 pm!" 😄

✍️ Poem about Retention

Im Strom der Zeit, wo alles flieht,
Ein Ankerpunkt, ein festes Lied.
Was gut befunden, altbewährt,
Durch Beibehaltung wird geehrt.

Kein Wankelmut, kein schneller Tausch,
Ein steter Wert im Lebensrausch.
Die Regel bleibt, der Plan besteht,
Solang die Einsicht nicht vergeht.

--- English Translation ---

In time's current, where all things flee,
An anchor point, a firm decree.
What's proven good, time-tested, true,
Through retention, honored anew.

No fickleness, no rapid swap,
A steady value, won't just drop.
The rule remains, the plan holds fast,
As long as insight's meant to last.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich bin das Gegenteil von Wandel und von Streit.
Ich sorge für Beständigkeit in Raum und Zeit.
Ob Recht, ob Brauch, ob alter Plan,
ich halte fest, so gut ich kann.

Was bin ich?

--- English Translation ---

I am the opposite of change and strife.
I ensure consistency in space and life.
Be it law, or custom, or an old plan's way,
I hold on tight, come what may.

What am I?
(Solution: die Beibehaltung / retention)

🧩 Word Components & Trivia

Word Composition:

The word "Beibehaltung" is composed of:

• The prefix "bei-": often expresses staying with, holding onto something here.
• The noun "Behaltung" (which itself comes from the verb "behalten" - to keep).

It is the nominalization (making a noun) of the verb "beibehalten" (to retain, to keep, not to change).

Trivia:

In the context of German citizenship, the "Beibehaltungsgenehmigung" (retention permit) is an important term for individuals wishing to acquire another citizenship without losing their German one.