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How to Say ‘To save something for someone’ in German

Etwas für jemanden freihalten

Et-vahs fyr YAY-man-den FRY-hal-ten

[Et-vahs fyr YAY-man-den FRY-hal-ten]

💬 Usage Tip: freihalten splits in a sentence, and the frei moves to the end: Ich halte dir den Platz frei "I'll save the seat for you."

Phrase Breakdown

Etwas für jemanden

Et-vahs fyr YAY-man-den

something for someone

'Jemanden' is the accusative form of 'jemand' (someone). The 'j' sounds like English 'y'. 'Für' has the rounded 'ü' sound.

Example

Ich habe etwas für jemanden gekauft.

I bought something for someone.

Words in this phrase

Etwas

[Et-vahs]

something

An unspecified or unknown thing.

Example

Er sagte, dass er etwas Wichtiges zu berichten hatte.

He said he had something important to report.

für

[fyr]

for

A preposition indicating purpose or destination.

Example

Das ist für dich.

This is for you.

jemanden

[YAY-man-den]

someone

Accusative form of 'jemand' (somebody).

Example

Ich warte auf jemanden.

I'm waiting for someone.

freihalten

[FRY-hal-ten]

to keep free / save

To reserve a seat or space for another person.

Example

Kannst du mir den Platz freihalten?

Can you save the seat for me?

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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