German word

halt

Pronunciation

IPA/halt/

Meaning

  • adverbjust

Example

Das ist halt so.

That's just how it is.

Illustration for halt (just)

More examples

Er kommt halt zu spät.

He just arrives late.

Core concept

A speaker sets a fact down as settled and leaves its cause unstated.

Common phrases

  • halt eben

    just

  • ist halt nun mal so

    that's just how it is

  • so ist das halt

    that's just how it is

Similar words

einfach: Presents something simply, without adding complexity.
eben: Treats an event as obvious and accepts it calmly.
ja: Emphasizes a fact that should already be known.
doch: Firmly affirms something despite a denial.

Definition in German

Benutzt man, um knapp auszudrücken, dass etwas einfach so ist oder ohne weitere Begründung gilt.

Word origin

German halt developed from an older adverb related to halten, 'to hold', and came to mark something presented as fixed or accepted.

Usage tips

  • As a modal particle, halt often signals resignation or obviousness rather than the English meanings of 'just' such as 'a moment ago' or 'fairly.'

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