das  Abkommen

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈapˌkɔmən/

📜 What does "das Abkommen" mean?

The noun das Abkommen translates to agreement, treaty, convention, or pact in English. It refers to a formal agreement between two or more parties (e.g., countries, organizations, companies, or individuals). It typically establishes rights and obligations and regulates relationships.

It is derived from the verb abkommen (in the sense of “to agree upon”).

It only uses the article das, meaning the word is neuter.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📊 Grammar and Declension of "das Abkommen"

"Abkommen" is a neuter noun. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

• Die beiden Länder unterzeichneten ein wichtiges Abkommen.
  (The two countries signed an important agreement.)
• Die Bedingungen des Abkommens waren streng.
  (The terms of the agreement were strict.)
• Wir stimmten dem Abkommen zu.
  (We agreed to the agreement.)
• Er brach das Abkommen.
  (He broke the agreement.)
• Zwischen den Parteien gibt es mehrere Abkommen.
  (There are several agreements between the parties.)

💼 When to use "das Abkommen"?

"Das Abkommen" is typically used in formal contexts, especially in:

• Politics and international law: e.g., Friedensabkommen (peace treaty), Handelsabkommen (trade agreement), internationales Abkommen (international agreement/convention).
• Business: e.g., Kooperationsabkommen (cooperation agreement), Tarifabkommen (collective bargaining agreement), Lizenzabkommen (licensing agreement).
• Law: e.g., Vergleichsabkommen (settlement agreement), Schuldabkommen (debt agreement).

It implies a certain level of formality and binding nature. In everyday language, the word Vereinbarung (arrangement, agreement) is often used, which can sound less formal.

Distinction from similar terms:

• Vertrag: Often synonymous, but *Vertrag* (contract) can be legally more precise and comprehensive (e.g., Kaufvertrag - purchase contract, Mietvertrag - rental contract).
• Vereinbarung: Can be formal or informal, often less comprehensive than an *Abkommen* or *Vertrag*.
• Pakt: Similar to *Abkommen*, often with a political or military connotation (e.g., Nichtangriffspakt - non-aggression pact).
• Konvention: An international agreement, often multilateral and on specific topics (e.g., Genfer Konventionen - Geneva Conventions).

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Abkommen"

Here are a couple of memory aids:

• For the article "das": Think of *das* document or *das* protocol that often accompanies an agreement (*Abkommen*). Neuter things, neutral agreements often take *das*.
• For the meaning: When parties *come away* (ab-kommen) from their initial positions to meet in the middle, they reach an Abkommen (agreement).

To come to terms, that's the plan,
sign das Abkommen, like a man! (or woman!)

🔄 Synonyms and Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful: Words like Ankommen (arrival) or Aufkommen (emergence, revenue) sound similar but have completely different meanings!

😄 A little joke

Fragt ein Politiker den anderen: "Haben wir schon ein Abkommen über das Nichtstun getroffen?" Antwortet der andere: "Nein, aber wir sind kurz davor, eine Vereinbarung zur Bildung einer Kommission zur Prüfung der Möglichkeit eines eventuellen Abkommens zu erzielen!"

(One politician asks another: "Have we reached an agreement on doing nothing yet?" The other replies: "No, but we're close to reaching an agreement to form a commission to examine the possibility of a potential agreement!") 😄

📜 A little poem

Zwei Länder, einst im Streite groß,
saßen zusammen, fanden Trost.
Sie sprachen lang, bei Tag und Nacht,
haben dann das Abkommen gemacht.
Papier und Siegel, fest und klar,
Frieden herrscht, wunderbar!

(Two countries, once in great dispute,
Sat together, found respite from loot.
They talked for long, by day and night,
Then made the agreement, sealed up tight.
Paper and seal, firm and clear,
Peace now reigns, banishing fear!)

❓ Riddle

Ich werde oft zwischen Staaten geschlossen,
manchmal auch von Chefs beschlossen.
Ich schaffe Regeln, klar und rein,
um Streitigkeiten zu vermeiden – fein!
Ich brauche Partner, mindestens zwei,
bin oft auf Papier, nicht nur Geschrei.

Was bin ich?

(I am often concluded between states,
Sometimes decided by bosses' debates.
I create rules, clear and sound,
To avoid disputes all around!
I need partners, at least two,
Often on paper, not just hullabaloo.)

What am I?

Solution: das Abkommen (the agreement/treaty)

🧐 More about "das Abkommen"

Word Formation: The word "Abkommen" is a nominalized verb (a noun formed from a verb). It comes from the verb abkommen, which has various meanings (like 'to stray from the path'). The relevant meaning here is “to agree upon”.

Formality: As mentioned, "das Abkommen" is a rather formal term. In casual conversation, you would more likely hear Absprache (informal agreement) or Vereinbarung (arrangement).