verb
to be certain, to be fixed, to be settled
B1
Meaning: 'feststehen' primarily means 'to be certain', 'to be fixed', or 'to be settled'. It is a separable strong verb (prefix fest- separates: es steht fest). It uses auxiliary haben in the perfect (hat festgestanden). Not reflexive; irregular Präteritum stem: stand; Partizip II festgestanden.
Examples
Es stand fest, dass er gehen musste.
It was clear that he had to go.
Der Termin steht fest; wir müssen ihn einhalten.
The appointment is set; we must keep it.
Es steht fest, dass wir reisen.
It is certain that we will travel.
Details
Mnemonics
Picture a schedule nailed to a board so it 'stands fast' — it's fixed and certain.
Think 'fest' like English 'fast' + 'stand' — imagine something standing fast in place.
Notes
Separable verb: in finite forms the prefix 'fest' moves to the end (z. B. 'steht fest'). Intransitive verb; passive forms are not applicable (no object to be passivized). Uses haben as auxiliary in perfect tenses. Konjunktiv I Präteritum: not applicable — Konjunktiv I is formed from present forms and past is usually expressed periphrastically (Perfekt).