German verb: gelten
Meaning: to be valid, to apply, to count
Verb type: irregular
Most important uses: (die Regel gilt... - the rule applies..., Das Angebot gilt bis... - The offer is valid until...)
gelten is a key verb for expressing when something is valid, binding, or in effect—whether it's a rule, a price, or even someone's reputation.
Principal Parts
| Infinitive | Present (3rd sg.) | Simple Past (3rd sg.) | Past Participle | Auxiliary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| gelten | gilt | galt | gegolten | sein |
- Present stem: gilt-
- Past stem: galt-
- Past participle: gegolten
Present Tense
| Person | Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ich | gelte | Ich gelte als zuverlässig. | I am considered reliable. |
| du | giltst | Du giltst als Experte. | You are regarded as an expert. |
| er/sie/es | gilt | Die Regel gilt hier. | The rule applies here. |
| wir | gelten | Wir gelten für das Projekt. | We are valid for the project. |
| ihr | geltet | Die Regelungen gelten euch. | The regulations apply to you all. |
| sie/Sie | gelten | Die Vorschriften gelten immer. | The regulations always apply. |
Meaning & Usage
gelten is used when something...
- is valid or in force: „Das Ticket gilt den ganzen Tag.“
- applies: „Diese Regel gilt für alle.“
- is considered or regarded as: „Er gilt als klug.“
- count/are valid (for measurements, votes): „Deine Stimme gilt.“
Example Sentences
| Usage | Example (DE) | Translation (EN) |
|---|---|---|
| To be valid | Das Angebot gilt bis Freitag. | The offer is valid until Friday. |
| To apply | Diese Regel gilt für Schüler. | This rule applies to students. |
| To be regarded | Sie gilt als Expertin. | She is regarded as an expert. |
| To count (votes) | Deine Stimme gilt. | Your vote counts. |
Simple Past (Präteritum)
| Person | Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ich | galt | Die Regel galt damals. | The rule was valid then. |
| du | galtst | Deine Meinung galt viel. | Your opinion counted a lot. |
| er/sie/es | galt | Das Gesetz galt überall. | The law applied everywhere. |
| wir | galten | Unsere Abmachung galt immer. | Our agreement was always valid. |
| ihr | galtet | Eure Regeln galten auch für uns. | Your rules also applied to us. |
| sie/Sie | galten | Die Vorschriften galten streng. | The regulations were strict. |
Past Participle & Perfect
- gegolten
- Auxiliary: sein
- Perfect: „Das Gesetz ist seit Jahren gegolten.“ (The law has been valid for years.)
Subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II)
| Person | Form | Example | Translation |
|---|---|---|---|
| ich | erführe/gälte* | Wenn ich galte, hätte ich Einfluss. | If I were considered, I’d have influence. |
| du | ... | ||
| er/sie/es | gälte | ||
| wir | ... | ||
| ihr | ... | ||
| sie/Sie | ... |
(\*„gälte“ is the common substitute for hypothetical/imaginative use)
Conclusion
gelten is essential for expressing when something is valid, binding, or recognized, making it indispensable in legal, formal, and everyday contexts.
- Use gelten for rules, offers, reputations, and more
- Remember its irregular forms: gilt, galt, gegolten
- You can also use it for “to be considered/regarded” (als ... gelten)
*gelten* means 'to be valid,' 'to apply,' or 'to count.'
*gelten* is used when rules or offers are valid, and also when someone is considered or regarded in some way.
*gelten* uses 'sein' as its auxiliary verb in the perfect tense (ist gegolten).
The principal parts are gelten, gilt, galt, gegolten.