German word

inne

Pronunciation

IPA/ˈɪnə/

Meaning

  • adverbstop

Example

Sie hielt plötzlich inne.

She suddenly stopped.

Illustration for inne (stop)

More examples

Der Redner hielt aus Respekt kurz inne.

The speaker paused briefly out of respect.

Core concept

Motion or activity is briefly suspended, then ready to resume.

Common phrases

  • kurz inne halten

    pause briefly

  • plötzlich inne halten

    stop suddenly

Similar words

kurz: Continuing for only a brief time.
für einen Moment: Lasting for no more than a moment.
einen Augenblick: Referring to a very brief moment in casual speech.

Definition in German

Für einen kurzen Augenblick die Bewegung einstellen oder eine Tätigkeit unterbrechen.

Word origin

Inne is an inherited Germanic adverb from Old High German inni, and its established use is closely tied to halten in the compound innehalten.

Usage tips

  • The finite verb is separable: Sie hielt plötzlich inne places inne at the end, while the infinitive remains innehalten.

Opposites

Related words

  • Innehaltenpausenoun

Word lists with this word