das  Bündnis

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbʏndnɪs/

🤝 What does "das Bündnis" mean?

Das Bündnis (noun, neuter) refers to an alliance, pact, league, or coalition between two or more parties (individuals, groups, states) to pursue common goals or provide mutual support.

• It can be a political, military, economic, or even personal alliance.
• The purpose is often to strengthen one's own position or to advance shared interests.
• A Bündnis is based on trust and a formal or informal agreement (Vereinbarung).

🚨 Watch out: Although it sounds similar, it's not the same as der Bund (e.g., der Bund fürs Leben = marriage bond, or the federal government) or die Bindung (bond, tie, commitment).

🧐 Grammar of "das Bündnis" in Detail

"Bündnis" is a neuter noun. The article is das.

Declension of "das Bündnis"

Here are the declension tables showing how the noun changes in different grammatical cases:

Example Sentences

1. Die beiden Länder schlossen ein militärisches Bündnis. (The two countries formed a military alliance.)
2. Das Bündnis zwischen den Unternehmen erwies sich als sehr erfolgreich. (The alliance between the companies proved very successful.)
3. Im Laufe der Geschichte gab es viele wechselnde Bündnisse. (Throughout history, there have been many shifting alliances.)
4. Sie gingen ein heimliches Bündnis ein, um ihre Ziele zu erreichen. (They entered into a secret pact to achieve their goals.)

🗣️ How to use "Bündnis"? Context Matters!

"Bündnis" is often used in formal contexts, especially in politics, history, and military affairs.

• Politics/History: Commonly used for political or military alliances between states (e.g., NATO als Verteidigungsbündnis - NATO as a defense alliance, historische Bündnisse im Krieg - historical alliances in war).
• Economics: Companies can also form strategic alliances (strategische Bündnisse).
• General Use: It's less common for private associations, where words like Freundschaft (friendship), Partnerschaft (partnership), or Vereinbarung (agreement) are more typical. However, a phrase like "Bündnis für Familie" (alliance for the family) is possible.

Distinguishing from similar words:

• Allianz: Very similar, often used synonymously. Sometimes "Allianz" is perceived as somewhat broader or more international.
• Pakt: Often sounds more formal and binding, sometimes linked to a specific treaty (e.g., Nichtangriffspakt - non-aggression pact).
• Koalition: Usually refers to a temporary governing alliance between political parties.
• Vereinbarung: A general term for an agreement, less strong than a Bündnis.

🧠 Mnemonics for "das Bündnis"

Tip for the article "das":

Imagine an alliance as something neutral (like the gender "das") that stands between parties to bind them. It's neither purely masculine nor purely feminine, but a thing in itself – das Bündnis.

Tip for the meaning:

A Bündnis binds us together. The word sounds like the German verb "binden" (to bind) with the suffix "-nis", which often forms abstract nouns (like Geheimnis - secret, Ergebnis - result). So: Something that binds -> a Bündnis (alliance/pact).

🔄 Synonyms & Antonyms

⚠️ Be careful with Bund: It can mean an alliance (like Staatenbund - confederation), but also other things (Bund Möhren - bunch of carrots, der Bund fürs Leben - marriage bond).

😂 A Little Joke

Warum hat der Stift ein Bündnis mit dem Papier geschlossen?

Damit ihre Beziehung nicht leer bleibt! 😄

(Why did the pen form an alliance with the paper? So their relationship wouldn't remain empty/blank!)

✍️ Poem about an Alliance

Zwei Hände reichen sich zum Gruß,
Ein starkes Band, kein Überdruss.
Gemeinsam stark, das Ziel im Blick,
Das Bündnis bringt geteiltes Glück.
Ob Sturm ob Nacht, es hält Bestand,
Verbunden fest, durch Zeit und Land.

(Two hands reach out in greeting,
A strong bond, no weariness.
Strong together, the goal in sight,
The alliance brings shared delight.
Whether storm or night, it endures,
Firmly connected, through time and shores.)

🧩 Riddle Time

Ich binde Freunde, manchmal Feinde gar,
Bring' Stärke, wo zuvor nur Schwäche war.
Verträge festigen, was ich versprech',
Mal kurz, mal lang, brech' ich nicht leicht und frech.
Politik und Krieg, sie kennen meinen Namen,
Ein Neutrum bin ich, in des Wortes Rahmen.

Was bin ich? Lösung: Das Bündnis

(I bind friends, sometimes even foes,
Bring strength where before only weakness grows.
Treaties solidify what I vow,
Sometimes short, sometimes long, I don't easily break now.
Politics and war, they know my name,
A neuter noun I am, within the word's frame.

What am I? Solution: The alliance (Das Bündnis))

💡 More to Know

Etymology (Word Origin):

The word "Bündnis" derives from the verb "binden" (to bind). The suffix "-nis" forms a noun expressing the result or state of binding. Thus, it literally means something that binds together or creates a connection.

Compound Words:

There are many compound words (Wortzusammensetzungen) with "Bündnis" that specify the type of alliance:

• Verteidigungsbündnis: Defense alliance.
• Wahlbündnis: Electoral alliance.
• Zweckbündnis: Alliance of convenience, formed for a specific purpose.
• Bündnisfall: The casus foederis, the specific event or situation that triggers the obligation for allies to act according to the treaty.