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B2 verb 7 min read

afholde

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips afholde in 30 Seconds

Explanation afholde in your Level:

At level A1, you probably won't use 'afholde' much. You will mostly use 'holde' for simple things like 'Jeg holder en fest' (I am having a party). 'Afholde' is a bit too formal for basic conversations. However, you might see it on a poster for a school event or a local 'loppemarked' (flea market). Just remember that if you see 'afholde', it usually means 'to have' or 'to host' an event. It is a long word, but think of it as a fancy version of 'to hold'. You don't need to worry about the other meanings (like refraining or paying costs) yet. Just focus on the idea of 'hosting' a formal meeting or event. If your teacher says 'Vi afholder en prøve' (We are having a test), they are being professional. In A1, you are building your foundation, so just recognize the word when you see it in formal announcements.

At the A2 level, you are starting to see more formal language in public spaces. You might encounter 'afholde' in news headlines or official emails. For example, 'Kommunen afholder et møde' (The municipality is holding a meeting). You should start to understand that 'afholde' is used for things that are planned and organized. It's not just holding something in your hand; it's holding a program or a schedule. You might also start to see 'afholde sig fra' in simple health advice, like 'Du skal afholde dig fra sukker' (You should stay away from sugar). At this stage, try to replace 'holde' with 'afholde' when you are talking about something official, like a class or a formal dinner. It will make your Danish sound more advanced and polite. Remember the past tense 'afholdt' – it's very common in reports about what happened yesterday.

By B1, you should be comfortable using 'afholde' in your own writing and speech when the context is formal. This is the level where you distinguish between 'holde en pause' (taking a break) and 'afholde en workshop' (hosting a workshop). You should also be able to use the reflexive form 'afholde sig fra' to describe habits or rules. For instance, 'Jeg afholder mig fra at spise kød' (I refrain from eating meat). At B1, you're also expected to understand the financial context in simple terms, like 'Hvem afholder udgifterne?' (Who is paying the costs?). You'll notice this word often in 'boligforening' (housing association) newsletters or at work. It's a key word for participation in Danish society, as many things are 'afholdt' by various organizations. Practice using it in the passive voice: 'Mødet bliver afholdt i morgen' (The meeting is being held tomorrow).

At B2, you are expected to master 'afholde' in all its nuances. You should use it naturally in professional settings, during debates, and in academic essays. You understand that 'afholde' carries a certain weight of authority. When you say 'Vi afholder et valg', it sounds much more appropriate than 'Vi holder et valg'. You are also proficient with the prepositional structure 'afholde nogen fra at gøre noget' (prevent someone from doing something). For example, 'Manglende selvtillid kan afholde folk fra at søge nye udfordringer' (Lack of self-confidence can keep people from seeking new challenges). You should also be familiar with the financial usage in business contexts, specifically regarding 'udgifter' (expenses). At this level, you can use 'afholde' to vary your language and avoid repeating 'holde' or 'betale' too many times. You are moving into the realm of nuanced, precise Danish.

At the C1 level, 'afholde' is a standard part of your high-level vocabulary. You use it to navigate complex legal, political, and philosophical discussions. You might use it in the sense of 'afholde sig fra' when discussing ethics or political neutrality. You are also aware of very specific collocations, such as 'afholde auktion' (hold an auction) or 'afholde forhør' (conduct an interrogation). You can use the word to create specific stylistic effects in your writing, choosing it over synonyms like 'eksekvere' or 'gennemføre' to emphasize the hosting aspect. Your understanding of the word's history and its relation to other Germanic 'hold' verbs helps you appreciate its formal resonance. You can effortlessly switch between the different meanings without confusion, and you can explain the subtle difference between 'afholde en udgift' and 'dække en udgift' (covering an expense).

For a C2 learner, 'afholde' is second nature. You use it with the same precision as a native speaker, often in highly specialized contexts. In legal Danish, you might discuss who 'afholder risikoen' (bears the risk) in a contract, or the procedural requirements for 'afholdelse af retsmøder' (the holding of court sessions). You can appreciate the word in classical Danish literature where 'afholde' might be used in more archaic or poetic ways. You are a master of the reflexive 'afholde sig fra', using it to express complex psychological states or social distancing. You understand the bureaucratic nuances of 'afholdelse af midler' (the expenditure of funds). Essentially, the word is no longer a 'vocabulary item' but a versatile tool in your linguistic repertoire, used to convey professionalism, restraint, and institutional action with absolute clarity and correct register.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

afholde in 30 Seconds

Primarily means to host or hold a formal event like a meeting or election.
Used with 'sig fra' to mean 'to refrain from' doing something.
Commonly used in financial contexts to mean 'to cover' or 'pay' expenses.
A formal alternative to the simpler verb 'holde' in professional settings.

The Danish verb afholde is a sophisticated, multi-faceted word that primarily functions in formal or semi-formal contexts. At its core, it most frequently translates to "to hold" or "to host" an organized event, such as a meeting, a conference, an election, or a ceremony. However, its utility extends far beyond simple event planning. It carries a sense of official execution or formal arrangement that the simpler verb holde often lacks. When a municipality hosts a town hall, they afholder a meeting; when a company pays for the costs of a business trip, they afholder the expenses. Understanding this word is crucial for B2 learners because it marks the transition from basic communication to professional and academic fluency.

The Organizational Sense: This is the most common usage. It refers to the act of conducting or carrying out a scheduled event. It implies structure, preparation, and a specific timeframe. For example, 'Vi skal afholde et personalemøde i morgen' (We are going to hold a staff meeting tomorrow).
The Restrictive Sense (Afholde fra): When followed by the preposition 'fra', the meaning shifts drastically to 'to refrain from' or 'to prevent someone from doing something'. It suggests a barrier—either internal (self-restraint) or external (interference). 'Intet skal afholde mig fra at rejse' (Nothing shall keep me from traveling).
The Financial Sense: In legal and accounting contexts, it means to cover or pay for costs. 'Firmaet afholder alle udgifter til transport' (The company covers all transport expenses). This usage is strictly formal.

Regeringen har besluttet at afholde et ekstraordinært valg til efteråret for at sikre stabilitet.

Translation: The government has decided to hold an extraordinary election this autumn to ensure stability.

Hvad afholder dig fra at sige din mening højt i plenum?

Translation: What keeps you from speaking your mind out loud in the plenary session?

Kommunen vil afholde udgifterne til den nye legeplads.

Det er vigtigt at afholde sig fra personangreb i debatten.

In summary, 'afholde' is a heavy-duty verb. Use it when you want to sound precise, professional, or when describing the act of refraining. It bridges the gap between everyday actions and institutional processes, making it a staple of Danish news, legal documents, and corporate communication.

The syntax of afholde depends heavily on which of its three primary meanings you are utilizing. Let's break down the grammatical patterns for hosting, refraining, and paying.

Pattern 1: Afholde + [Noun (Event)]: This is the direct object construction. The object is usually a formal event.
Example: 'Vi afholder en konference.' (We are holding a conference.)
Pattern 2: Afholde + [Reflexive Pronoun] + fra + [Noun/Verb]: This means 'to refrain from'. Note that if a verb follows 'fra', it must be in the 'at + infinitive' form.
Example: 'Han afholder sig fra at drikke alkohol.' (He refrains from drinking alcohol.)
Pattern 3: Afholde + [Object] + fra + [Something]: This means 'to prevent someone from'.
Example: 'Regnen afholdt os fra at gå ud.' (The rain kept us from going out.)

Foreningen afholder generalforsamling hver anden tirsdag i marts.

When discussing financial matters, the pattern is usually afholde udgifterne til [noget]. It is almost exclusively used in the plural 'udgifterne' (the expenses). For example: 'Statstilskuddet skal afholde udgifterne til projektet.' (The state grant shall cover the expenses for the project.)

Lægen rådede ham til at afholde sig fra hård fysisk træning i en uge.

Finally, consider the passive voice. In formal reports, you will often see 'mødet blev afholdt' (the meeting was held). This is a standard way to open a summary or minutes of a meeting.

If you listen to Danish news broadcasts like TV2 News or DR Nyheder, you will hear afholde constantly. It is the default verb for political events. Whether it's a press conference (pressemøde), a summit (topmøde), or a referendum (folkeafstemning), the media always describes the act of organizing these as 'at afholde'.

In the workplace, particularly in larger Danish corporations (like Novo Nordisk, Maersk, or LEGO), 'afholde' is the professional standard. An email might read: 'Vi afholder en workshop om de nye retningslinjer.' Using 'holde' here would be perfectly understandable but slightly less 'corporate' in tone. If you are reading a contract, you will see it used for liability: 'Lejer afholder alle udgifter til vedligeholdelse' (The tenant covers all maintenance costs).

You will also encounter the reflexive 'afholde sig fra' in public health campaigns or ethical discussions. For example, during the pandemic, health authorities frequently urged citizens to 'afholde sig fra store forsamlinger' (refrain from large gatherings). It carries a weight of civic duty or moral obligation.

Der vil blive afholdt en mindehøjtidelighed for ofrene på rådhuspladsen.

Translation: A memorial service will be held for the victims at the city hall square.

In literature and academic writing, 'afholde' adds a layer of precision. An author might describe a character 'afholde sig fra at svare' (refraining from answering) to suggest a conscious, perhaps difficult, choice to remain silent. It implies agency and deliberation.

One of the most frequent errors English speakers make is overusing afholde in casual situations. While you can say 'Jeg afholder en fest' (I am holding a party), it sounds very stiff, almost as if the party is a formal institutional event. For a casual get-together with friends, stick to holde.

Another common pitfall is the confusion between afholde and udføre (to carry out). While 'afholde' means to host an event, it doesn't necessarily mean to perform a task. You 'afholder' a meeting, but you 'udfører' an experiment.

Preposition errors are also frequent. Learners sometimes try to use 'mod' (against) instead of 'fra' (from) when they want to say 'prevent from'. Remember: afholde nogen fra noget. Think of it as 'keeping someone away from' the action.

Fejl: Han afholdt at spise kage. (Wrong)
Korrekt: Han afholdt sig fra at spise kage. (Correct)

Lastly, be careful with the financial meaning. 'Afholde' refers to the act of paying/covering the cost, not the act of saving money. If you want to say you are 'holding back' money, you would use 'holde igen' or 'spare'. 'Afholde udgifter' always means the money is being spent or allocated.

Danish has several verbs that overlap with afholde. Choosing the right one depends on the register and the specific nuance you wish to convey.

Holde vs. Afholde: 'Holde' is the generalist. It can mean to hold an object, to keep a promise, or to host a party. 'Afholde' is the specialist for formal events. Use 'holde' for 'holde ferie' (take a holiday) and 'afholde' for 'afholde eksamen' (conduct an exam).
Arrangere: 'Arrangere' (to arrange/organize) focuses on the planning phase. 'Afholde' focuses on the actual execution of the event. You arrange a concert first, then you hold (afholder) it.
Undlade: This is a synonym for 'afholde sig fra'. However, 'undlade' is often used for simply 'not doing' something, whereas 'afholde sig fra' implies a more active choice to refrain, often due to principles or rules.
Betale vs. Afholde: 'Betale' is simple payment. 'Afholde' (in the sense of costs) is more bureaucratic. It refers to the responsibility of covering the budget for something.

Vi skal arrangere festen, men hvem skal afholde den?

Translation: We need to organize the party, but who is going to host it?

When you want to prevent someone from doing something, you could also use forhindre. However, 'forhindre' implies making it impossible, while 'afholde' often implies a deterrent or a reason that keeps them from doing it.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

"Vi afholder en ekstraordinær generalforsamling."

Neutral

"Hvem skal afholde udgifterne?"

Informal

"Jeg afholder mig lige fra kage i dag."

Child friendly

"Skolen afholder en sjov dag for alle børnene."

Slang

"N/A"

Fun Fact

The word 'afholdsmand' (teetotaler) comes directly from 'afholde sig fra alkohol'. In the late 19th century, the 'afholdsbevægelse' (temperance movement) was very strong in Denmark.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈɑwˌhʌlə/

US /ˈɑvˌhɔlə/

The primary stress is on the first syllable 'af'.

Rhymes With

beholde folde bolde trolde volde forholde overholde tilbageholde

Common Errors

Pronouncing the 'd' in the middle. In Danish, the 'd' in 'holde' and 'afholde' is silent.
Stressing the second syllable 'holde'. The stress must be on 'af'.
Pronouncing 'af' like the English word 'off'. It's closer to 'aw' or 'ow'.
Forgetting the glottal stop (stød) which can occur in some dialects, though it's subtle here.
Mispronouncing the 'o' as a long 'o'. It's a short, open 'o' sound.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 4/5

Common in newspapers and official documents. Easy to recognize but has multiple meanings.

Writing 6/5

Requires knowledge of prepositions (fra) and reflexive pronouns (sig).

Speaking 5/5

Pronunciation is tricky due to the silent 'd' and the 'af' sound.

Listening 5/5

Can be confused with 'holde' if not listening carefully to the prefix.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

holde fra møde udgift sig

Learn Next

overholde beholde undlade gennemføre arrangere

Advanced

eksekvere foranstalte iværksætte distancere sig fra honorere

Grammar to Know

Reflexive Pronouns

Jeg afholder *mig*, du afholder *dig*, han afholder *sig*.

Prepositional Verbs

Afholde + fra. Prepositions usually require 'at' before an infinitive.

Passive Voice with 'blive'

Mødet *bliver afholdt* (The meeting is being held).

Strong Verbs

Holde - holdt - holdt. Afholde follows this irregular pattern.

Compound Nouns

Combining 'møde' and 'afholdelse' to form 'mødeafholdelse'.

Examples by Level

Skolen vil afholde en fest.

The school will host a party.

Future tense with 'vil'.

Vi afholder et møde i dag.

We are holding a meeting today.

Present tense 'afholder'.

De afholder en prøve.

They are holding a test.

Subject 'De' (They).

Hvornår afholder I festen?

When are you (plural) holding the party?

Question word 'Hvornår'.

Han afholder et kursus.

He is hosting a course.

Singular subject 'Han'.

Vi afholdt en middag i går.

We held a dinner yesterday.

Past tense 'afholdt'.

Kan vi afholde det her?

Can we hold it here?

Modal verb 'Kan' + infinitive.

De vil afholde en koncert.

They want to host a concert.

Infinitive after 'vil'.

Kommunen afholder valg i næste uge.

The municipality is holding elections next week.

Formal context: elections.

Du skal afholde dig fra at løbe.

You must refrain from running.

Reflexive 'afholde dig fra'.

Firmaet afholder alle udgifter.

The company covers all expenses.

Financial context: expenses.

Der blev afholdt en reception.

A reception was held.

Passive voice 'blev afholdt'.

Vi afholder generalforsamling i aften.

We are holding a general assembly tonight.

Compound word 'generalforsamling'.

Hvad afholder dig fra at komme?

What is keeping you from coming?

Preposition 'fra'.

Jeg afholder mig fra at kommentere.

I refrain from commenting.

Reflexive 'afholder mig'.

De har afholdt mange møder.

They have held many meetings.

Present perfect 'har afholdt'.

Vi skal afholde en workshop om bæredygtighed.

We are going to hold a workshop on sustainability.

Compound word 'bæredygtighed'.

Han afholder sig fra at spise kød af etiske årsager.

He refrains from eating meat for ethical reasons.

Reflexive + prepositional phrase.

Regeringen afholdt et krisemøde i nat.

The government held a crisis meeting last night.

Past tense 'afholdt'.

Ingen kan afholde hende fra at vinde.

No one can stop her from winning.

Object 'hende' + 'fra'.

Hvem skal afholde omkostningerne til rejsen?

Who is going to cover the costs for the trip?

Synonym for udgifter: 'omkostningerne'.

Der bliver afholdt kurser hver måned.

Courses are being held every month.

Present passive 'bliver afholdt'.

Vi afholder os fra at tage stilling endnu.

We refrain from taking a position yet.

Idiom: 'tage stilling' (take a position).

Konferencen afholdes på et hotel.

The conference is being held at a hotel.

S-passive 'afholdes'.

Det er vigtigt at afholde sig fra personlige angreb i en debat.

It is important to refrain from personal attacks in a debate.

Infinitive clause after 'vigtigt at'.

Firmaet vil afholde udgifterne til din videreuddannelse.

The company will cover the expenses for your further education.

Compound 'videreuddannelse'.

Dårligt vejr afholdt dem fra at gennemføre ekspeditionen.

Bad weather kept them from completing the expedition.

Transitive use: afholde [nogen] fra.

Der skal afholdes en folkeafstemning om EU-forbeholdet.

A referendum must be held on the EU opt-out.

Modal + passive 'skal afholdes'.

Han valgte at afholde sig fra at stemme ved valget.

He chose to refrain from voting in the election.

Reflexive + infinitive.

Vi afholder løbende samtaler med alle ansøgere.

We are holding ongoing interviews with all applicants.

Adverb 'løbende' (ongoing).

Retten afholdt et lukket retsmøde om sagen.

The court held a closed hearing about the case.

Legal context.

Hvorfor afholder I ikke arrangementet udendørs?

Why don't you host the event outdoors?

Negative question.

Statens budget skal afholde de stigende udgifter til sundhedsvæsenet.

The state budget must cover the rising expenses for the healthcare system.

Complex noun phrase 'stigende udgifter'.

Frygten for repressalier afholdt vidnerne fra at stå frem.

Fear of reprisals kept the witnesses from coming forward.

Abstract subject 'Frygten'.

Man bør afholde sig fra enhver form for diskrimination.

One should refrain from any form of discrimination.

Formal pronoun 'Man'.

Der afholdes i disse dage forhandlinger om en ny overenskomst.

Negotiations for a new collective agreement are being held these days.

Inverted word order.

Det er op til den enkelte at afholde sig fra usund levevis.

It is up to the individual to refrain from an unhealthy lifestyle.

Idiom 'op til den enkelte'.

Auktionen blev afholdt under stor mediebevågenhed.

The auction was held under great media attention.

Passive + prepositional phrase.

Bestyrelsen afholder sig fra at udtale sig, før rapporten er klar.

The board refrains from speaking until the report is ready.

Reflexive + 'at udtale sig'.

Kan man afholde en retfærdig retssag under disse omstændigheder?

Can a fair trial be held under these circumstances?

Interrogative + adjective 'retfærdig'.

Det påhviler sagsøgeren at afholde sagens omkostninger, hvis kravet afvises.

It is incumbent upon the plaintiff to cover the costs of the case if the claim is rejected.

Legal Danish: 'påhviler' (is incumbent upon).

Han formåede at afholde sig fra enhver polemik, trods de gentagne provokationer.

He managed to refrain from any polemics, despite the repeated provocations.

Advanced vocabulary: 'polemik', 'provokationer'.

Afholdelse af eksamen kræver nøje planlægning og logistisk koordination.

The holding of exams requires careful planning and logistical coordination.

Gerund-like noun 'Afholdelse'.

Intet i lovgivningen afholder ministeren fra at intervenere i sagen.

Nothing in the legislation prevents the minister from intervening in the case.

Negative subject 'Intet'.

De afholdte udgifter skal dokumenteres med originale bilag.

The incurred expenses must be documented with original receipts.

Participle as adjective 'afholdte'.

Det er kutyme at afholde en reception i forbindelse med bogudgivelsen.

It is customary to hold a reception in connection with the book publication.

Noun 'kutyme' (custom).

Man kan ikke afholde sig fra at beundre hans dedikation til opgaven.

One cannot refrain from admiring his dedication to the task.

Double negation/understatement.

Spørgsmålet er, om vi overhovedet bør afholde denne debat nu.

The question is whether we should even be holding this debate now.

Subordinate clause with 'om'.

Common Collocations

afholde et møde

afholde valg

afholde udgifter

afholde sig fra

afholde en fest

afholde eksamen

afholde ferie

afholde auktion

afholde generalforsamling

afholde kurser

Common Phrases

afholde sig fra kommentarer

— To refuse to give a statement to the press or in a debate.

Politiet afholder sig fra kommentarer lige nu.

afholde et pressemøde

— To host a meeting for journalists to give information.

Statsministeren vil afholde et pressemøde klokken 14.

afholde omkostninger

— To pay for the expenses related to a specific thing.

Du skal selv afholde omkostningerne til transport.

afholde nogen fra noget

— To prevent or discourage someone from doing something.

Intet kunne afholde ham fra at rejse til udlandet.

afholde sig fra alkohol

— To abstain from drinking alcohol.

Han har valgt at afholde sig fra alkohol i en måned.

afholde en workshop

— To organize and lead a practical educational session.

Vi afholder en workshop om personlig planlægning.

afholde et arrangement

— To host any kind of event or gathering.

Biblioteket afholder et spændende arrangement på torsdag.

afholde samtaler

— To conduct interviews or formal discussions.

Vi afholder samtaler med de nye elever.

afholde en ceremoni

— To perform or host a formal ritual or ceremony.

De afholdt en smuk ceremoni ved havet.

afholde en debat

— To host a formal discussion between people with different views.

Skolen vil afholde en debat om klimaforandringer.

Often Confused With

afholde vs holde

Holde is more general; afholde is for formal hosting or refraining.

afholde vs beholde

Beholde means to keep something you already have.

afholde vs overholde

Overholde means to follow rules or deadlines.

Idioms & Expressions

"at afholde sig fra at tage bladet fra munden"

— To refrain from speaking out directly or bluntly.

Selvom han var vred, afholdt han sig fra at tage bladet fra munden.

literary

"afholde udgifterne af egen lomme"

— To pay for expenses out of one's own pocket.

Han måtte afholde alle udgifterne af egen lomme.

neutral

"afholde sig fra alt ondt"

— To refrain from doing anything bad or harmful.

Man bør forsøge at afholde sig fra alt ondt.

formal/religious

"afholde et forhør"

— To conduct an interrogation (often used in police contexts).

Politiet afholdt et langt forhør af den mistænkte.

formal

"afholde en mindestund"

— To hold a moment of silence or a small memorial service.

Vi afholdt en kort mindestund for vores kollega.

formal

"afholde sig fra at blande sig"

— To refrain from interfering in someone else's business.

Jeg valgte at afholde mig fra at blande mig i deres skænderi.

neutral

"afholde et brag af en fest"

— To host a fantastic, loud, and successful party.

De afholdt et brag af en fest i lørdags.

informal

"afholde nogen fra deres forehavende"

— To prevent someone from carrying out their intention or plan.

Ingen kunne afholde ham fra hans forehavende.

formal/literary

"afholde en tale"

— To give/deliver a speech (though 'holde en tale' is more common).

Formanden afholdt en inspirerende tale.

formal

"afholde sig fra stemmeafgivelse"

— To abstain from voting.

Tre medlemmer afholdt sig fra stemmeafgivelse.

formal/political

Easily Confused

afholde vs afholdt

It is the past participle of 'afholde' but also an adjective meaning 'popular'.

Context determines the meaning. 'Mødet blev afholdt' (held) vs 'Han er en afholdt lærer' (popular teacher).

Den afholdte fest var meget populær.

afholde vs udholde

Similar prefix and root.

Udholde means to endure or withstand something painful or difficult.

Jeg kan ikke udholde denne varme.

afholde vs anholde

Similar prefix and root.

Anholde means to arrest someone.

Politiet anholdt tyven.

afholde vs forholde

Similar root.

Forholde usually means to relate to something or to withhold information.

Hvordan forholder du dig til sagen?

afholde vs tilbageholde

Similar root.

Tilbageholde means to detain or hold back something physical or information.

De tilbageholdt oplysningerne.

Sentence Patterns

Vi afholder [event].

Vi afholder en fest.

Jeg afholder mig fra [noun].

Jeg afholder mig fra slik.

[Subject] afholder udgifterne til [object].

Firmaet afholder udgifterne til mad.

[Noun] afholder [nogen] fra at [infinitiv].

Regnen afholdt os fra at gå.

Der afholdes [event] i [location].

Der afholdes valg i hele landet.

Det er nødvendigt med afholdelse af [event].

Det er nødvendigt med afholdelse af retsmøder.

Man bør afholde sig fra at [infinitiv].

Man bør afholde sig fra at lyve.

Alle udgifter afholdes af [agent].

Alle udgifter afholdes af staten.

Word Family

Nouns

Verbs

Adjectives

How to Use It

frequency

High in professional and news contexts; medium in daily speech.

Common Mistakes

Jeg afholder en pause. → Jeg holder en pause.
'Afholde' is for formal, organized events. A break is informal and personal.
Han afholdt fra at drikke. → Han afholdt sig fra at drikke.
The reflexive pronoun 'sig' is mandatory when the meaning is 'to refrain'.
Hvem skal afholde for festen? → Hvem skal afholde udgifterne til festen?
'Afholde' needs a direct object like 'udgifterne'. You don't 'afholde for' something.
Regnen afholdt mig mod at gå. → Regnen afholdt mig fra at gå.
The correct preposition is always 'fra', never 'mod'.
Vi afholder et forsøg. → Vi udfører et forsøg.
You 'conduct' an experiment (udfører), but you 'host' a meeting (afholder).

Tips

Reflexive Check

Always check if the subject and the reflexive pronoun match: 'Jeg afholder MIG', 'Vi afholder OS'. This is a common B1/B2 error.

Formal vs. Informal

Think of 'afholde' as 'conduct' and 'holde' as 'have'. You 'conduct' a meeting, but you 'have' a party.

Silent Letters

The 'd' in 'afholde' is 100% silent. Focus on the 'l' sound and the weak 'e' at the end.

Business Danish

Use 'afholde samtaler' when you are the one interviewing candidates. It makes you sound like a professional manager.

Avoiding Repetition

If you have already used 'holde' in a sentence, use 'afholde' for the next event to show a wider vocabulary range.

The 'Fra' Rule

If you use 'fra', you must use a noun or a verb in the 'at + infinitive' form. 'Afholde sig fra AT ryge'.

Expenses

In contracts, look for 'afholde'. It tells you who is responsible for paying. It is a very important word for renters!

Polite Refusal

If someone offers you something you don't want for health reasons, saying 'Jeg afholder mig lige fra det' is a very polite and firm way to say no.

PD3 Preparation

The word 'afholde' often appears in the reading section of the PD3 exam, especially in texts about local government or work life.

News Watching

Watch the evening news and count how many times they say 'afholde'. It is usually at least 3-4 times per broadcast!

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of 'Afholde' as 'OFF-HOLD'. When you 'afholde' an event, you take it OFF the calendar by HOLDing it. When you 'afholde sig fra', you HOLD yourself OFF from something.

Visual Association

Imagine a professional event planner holding a clipboard (hosting) while pushing away a plate of cookies (refraining). This captures the two main meanings.

Word Web

Møde Valg Udgifter Alkohol Fest Eksamen Fra Sig

Challenge

Try to use 'afholde' in three different ways today: once for a meeting you have, once for something you are refraining from, and once for a cost you are paying.

Word Origin

Derived from the Middle Low German word 'afholden'. It is a compound of the prefix 'af-' (off/from) and the verb 'holde' (to hold).

Original meaning: The original sense was to 'keep away' or 'hold back', which survives in the modern 'afholde fra' and the financial 'afholde udgifter'.

Germanic. Cognate with German 'abhalten' and English 'off-hold' (though the English cognate is not used this way).

Cultural Context

When using 'afholde sig fra' regarding someone else's behavior, it can sound quite authoritative or like a command. Use it carefully in social settings.

English speakers often just use 'hold' for everything. In Danish, using 'afholde' for formal things is a mark of high-level proficiency that English doesn't strictly require with its own 'hold'.

Grundloven (The Danish Constitution) uses 'afholdelse' regarding elections. The Danish Health Authority (Sundhedsstyrelsen) uses 'afholde sig fra' in guidelines. Legal contracts in Denmark frequently use 'afholde udgifter' for liability clauses.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Professional Meetings

afholde et virtuelt møde
afholde en præsentation
afholde ugentlige statusmøder
afholde en workshop

Health and Habits

afholde sig fra rygning
afholde sig fra sukker
afholde sig fra alkohol
afholde sig fra fysisk kontakt

Finance and Legal

afholde alle omkostninger
afholde udgifterne til revision
afholde et retsmøde
afholde auktion

Politics

afholde folkeafstemning
afholde valg
afholde pressemøde
afholde forhandlinger

Social Events

afholde en reception
afholde en jubilæumsfest
afholde en middag
afholde et stævne

Conversation Starters

"Hvor ofte afholder I personalemøder på din arbejdsplads?"

"Hvad afholder dig fra at lære endnu mere dansk hver dag?"

"Er der noget bestemt mad, du afholder dig fra at spise?"

"Hvem skal afholde udgifterne, hvis vi tager på tur sammen?"

"Har du nogensinde afholdt et stort arrangement for mange mennesker?"

Journal Prompts

Beskriv et vigtigt møde eller en fest, du har været med til at afholde. Hvad var din rolle?

Reflektér over ting, du afholder dig fra for at leve sundere. Er det svært eller nemt for dig?

Hvis du skulle afholde et pressemøde i morgen, hvad ville dit vigtigste budskab så være?

Skriv om en gang, hvor noget eller nogen afholdt dig fra at gøre noget, du virkelig gerne ville.

Diskutér fordele og ulemper ved at afholde store begivenheder virtuelt frem for fysisk.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, you can, but it sounds very formal. 'Jeg holder en fødselsdagsfest' is much more common among friends. Use 'afholde' if you want to sound like you are organizing a formal event.

'Afholde sig fra' implies a conscious choice to refrain, often due to a rule or principle. 'Undlade' is more about simply not doing something, often omitting a task. For example, you 'afholder dig fra' alcohol, but you 'undlader' to sign a document.

No. Only when it means 'to refrain from' or 'to prevent someone from'. When it means 'to host' or 'to pay', it takes a direct object without 'fra'. Example: 'Vi afholder et møde'.

It's pronounced like 'aw'. The 'f' is often very soft or silent in standard Danish pronunciation, making the syllable sound like 'ow' as in 'power' but starting with 'a'.

No, it is also a common adjective meaning 'well-liked' or 'popular'. 'En afholdt kollega' is a colleague everyone likes. This is a very positive word!

Yes, specifically in the phrase 'afholde udgifter' or 'afholde omkostninger'. It means to cover the budget or pay the bills for something.

No, you should say 'holde en pause'. 'Afholde' is for organized events, and a break is usually seen as a pause in an event, not the event itself.

Yes, very often. 'Mødet afholdes...' (The meeting is held...) is a standard way to start official announcements or minutes.

It is the noun form, meaning 'abstinence'. It is most commonly used regarding alcohol or sexual abstinence.

Yes, you can 'afholde et stævne' (host a tournament) or 'afholde et løb' (host a race).