verb
to be valid, to apply, to be considered
B1
Gelten means 'to be valid', 'to apply', or 'to be considered'. It is a strong irregular verb (galt; Partizip II: gegolten) with a present vowel change e→i (ich gelte, du giltst, er gilt). Uses auxiliary haben. Common collocation: gelten als ('be regarded as').
Examples
Die Regel galt für alle.
The rule applied to everyone.
Die Regel gilt für alle Mitarbeiter.
The rule applies to all employees.
Das Ticket gilt nur für drei Tage.
The ticket is only valid for three days.
Details
Mnemonics
Imagine a ticket with a big stamp that reads 'GELT' across it, showing that the ticket is valid.
Think of the English word 'gilt' (pronounced like 'gilt') — imagine a stamp that says 'GILT' meaning 'it's valid'.
Notes
Common constructions: 'für etwas gelten' (to be valid for something) and 'als etwas gelten' (to be regarded/considered as). Often used impersonally as 'es gilt ...' (it applies / it's valid). In perfect tenses use the auxiliary 'haben' (hat gegolten). | Intransitive verb; passive voice is not applicable.