Meaning
To remain calm and composed in a stressful situation.
Cultural Background
In German business culture, 'die Nerven behalten' is a highly valued trait. It is often linked to 'Resilienz' (resilience) and is a common topic in professional coaching. Austrians might use the term 'Schmäh' to defuse tension, but 'die Nerven behalten' remains the standard idiom for serious composure in the Alpine republic. Swiss German speakers use the standard German idiom in formal contexts, emphasizing the national value of neutrality and calm deliberation. In international football (soccer), German teams are often stereotyped as having 'strong nerves' (Nervenstärke), especially during penalty shootouts.
Use with 'trotz'
Combine this phrase with 'trotz' (despite) to sound more advanced: 'Trotz des Stresses behielt sie die {Nerven|pl}.'
Don't say 'meine Nerven'
Avoid saying 'Ich behalte meine Nerven'. Use the definite article 'die' for a more natural sound.
Meaning
To remain calm and composed in a stressful situation.
Use with 'trotz'
Combine this phrase with 'trotz' (despite) to sound more advanced: 'Trotz des Stresses behielt sie die {Nerven|pl}.'
Don't say 'meine Nerven'
Avoid saying 'Ich behalte meine Nerven'. Use the definite article 'die' for a more natural sound.
Sports Context
If you watch German football, listen for this phrase during penalty shootouts—it's used constantly!
Test Yourself
Füllen Sie die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'behalten'.
In der Krise ______ er die Nerven.
The subject 'er' (he) requires the 3rd person singular form 'behält'.
Welcher Satz ist ein Synonym für 'die Nerven behalten'?
Was bedeutet es, die Nerven zu behalten?
'Die Ruhe bewahren' (to preserve the peace/calm) is the closest synonym.
Vervollständigen Sie den Dialog.
A: 'Ich habe solche Angst vor der Präsentation!' B: 'Keine Sorge, ______ einfach die ______!'
The imperative 'behalt' and the noun 'Nerven' fit the idiom perfectly.
In welcher Situation behält man die Nerven?
Wählen Sie die passende Situation.
An earthquake is a high-stress situation where keeping one's cool is necessary.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Behalten vs. Verlieren
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIn der Krise ______ er die Nerven.
The subject 'er' (he) requires the 3rd person singular form 'behält'.
Was bedeutet es, die Nerven zu behalten?
'Die Ruhe bewahren' (to preserve the peace/calm) is the closest synonym.
A: 'Ich habe solche Angst vor der Präsentation!' B: 'Keine Sorge, ______ einfach die ______!'
The imperative 'behalt' and the noun 'Nerven' fit the idiom perfectly.
Wählen Sie die passende Situation.
An earthquake is a high-stress situation where keeping one's cool is necessary.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsYes, but it sounds a bit dramatic. It's better for situations where there's real pressure.
You 'behalten' (keep) nerves, but you 'bewahren' (preserve) peace or a cool head. They are often interchangeable but 'behalten' is more common with 'Nerven'.
Always plural 'die Nerven' in this idiom. Singular 'den Nerv' is used in 'den Nerv treffen' (to hit a nerve).
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
Use the opposite: 'Ich habe die Nerven verloren.'
Yes, 'Ich behielt die Nerven' (Präteritum) or 'Ich habe die Nerven behalten' (Perfekt).
Not exactly. 'Chill out' is 'entspann dich'. 'Die Nerven behalten' is about staying functional under pressure.
Yes, 'cool bleiben' or 'locker bleiben'.
Yes, 'Er behielt die Nerven' is very common in storytelling.
Yes, it is standard German and used throughout the DACH region.
It means 'nerves like steel cables', describing someone extremely calm.
It's grammatically okay, but 'behalt die Nerven' is much more idiomatic.
Related Phrases
die Nerven verlieren
contrastTo lose one's cool / to panic
Nerven aus Stahl haben
specialized formTo have nerves of steel
jemandem den letzten Nerv rauben
similarTo drive someone crazy
die Ruhe selbst sein
synonymTo be calmness personified
einen kühlen Kopf bewahren
synonymTo keep a cool head
