German Phrase
Halt deine Tasche dicht bei dir.
Meaning
A direct command telling someone to keep their bag close to their body. It implies a safety or courtesy request, especially in crowded places.
When to use
Use this phrase on public transport, in a museum, at a concert, or any situation where you want to remind a companion not to leave their bag unattended or swinging around.
✦Grammar Breakdown
HaltdeineTaschedichtbeidir
Imperative (du) – halt
The verb *halten* in the du‑imperative drops the ending -en and adds an -t: *halt*.
Accusative object – deine Tasche
The direct object *Tasche* is feminine, so the possessive article takes the accusative ending *-e*: *deine*.
Adverb – dicht
Here *dicht* means ‘close, tightly’, modifying the whole phrase *bei dir*.
Prepositional phrase – bei dir
The preposition *bei* governs the dative case; *du* becomes *dir*.
🗨In Conversation
Halt deine Tasche dicht bei dir.
Keep your bag close to you.
Ja, ich halte sie fest.
Yes, I’ll hold it tightly.
✕Common Mistakes
Halt dein Tasche dicht bei dir.
The feminine noun *Tasche* requires the accusative form *deine*.
Halt deine Tasche dicht bei dich.
The preposition *bei* takes dative, so *du* becomes *dir*.
Halt deine Tasche dicht an dir.
While *dicht an dir* is understandable, the idiomatic collocation is *dicht bei dir*.
↔Alternatives
Bewahre deine Tasche bei dir.
Keep your bag with you.
Halte deine Tasche in deiner Nähe.
Hold your bag nearby.
Lass deine Tasche nicht los.
Don’t let go of your bag.
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking countries it’s considered polite (and often required) to keep personal belongings close, especially on trains, buses and in crowded venues. Using a firm but friendly imperative like *Halt deine Tasche dicht bei dir* shows concern for safety without sounding overly authoritarian.