verb
to behave (oneself)
B1
'verhalten' (sich verhalten) = to behave, (to conduct oneself). It's a reflexive strong (irregular) verb: present stems change a -> ä (du verhältst, er verhält); preterite verhielt. Uses auxiliary haben in perfect (hat sich verhalten). Can also take 'zu' (sich zu etwas verhalten) meaning to take a stance.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Der Hund verhielt sich ruhig, weil die Kinder leise sprachen.
The dog behaved calmly because the children spoke quietly.
Du hast dich gut verhalten.
You behaved well.
Ich verhalte mich ruhig.
I behave calmly.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Picture someone checking their behavior and 'holding' themselves back — 'verhalten' is like 'hold back' or 'behave'.
Sounds a bit like 'very + halt' — imagine someone halting bad behavior.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Commonly used reflexively: sich verhalten. It can also mean 'to withhold' in different contexts (less common). | Reflexive/intransitive verb; passive voice conjugations are not applicable.