der  Gesellschaftsvertrag

C1

Estimated CEFR level.

/ɡəˈzɛlʃaftsfɛɐ̯ˌtʁaːk/

📜 What exactly is a Gesellschaftsvertrag?

The Gesellschaftsvertrag (often called Satzung, especially for corporations like a GmbH or AG) is a legally binding document that governs the formation of a Gesellschaft (company or partnership, e.g., a Gesellschaft bürgerlichen Rechts – GbR, a Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung – GmbH, or an offene Handelsgesellschaft – OHG). It establishes the fundamental internal relationships among the partners/shareholders (Gesellschafter) and defines their rights and obligations.

In English, this document is typically referred to as:

• Articles of Association or Articles of Incorporation (especially for corporations like GmbH, AG)
• Partnership Agreement (for partnerships like GbR, OHG, KG)

This contract is essential as it sets the rules for cooperation, for example:

• Name und Sitz der Gesellschaft (Name and registered office of the company)
• Gegenstand des Unternehmens (Object/purpose of the company)
• Höhe des Stammkapitals (Amount of share capital, for corporations)
• Verteilung von Gewinnen und Verlusten (Distribution of profits and losses)
• Geschäftsführung und Vertretung (Management and representation)
• Regelungen bei Ausscheiden eines Gesellschafters (Rules for a partner/shareholder leaving)

⚠️ Without a Gesellschaftsvertrag (which often must be in writing, sometimes notarized), a company cannot legally be effectively established in many cases.

Article rules for der, die, and das

🧐 Grammar: Declension of 'der Gesellschaftsvertrag'

The noun "Gesellschaftsvertrag" is masculine. Its definite article is der. Here is its declension:

📝 Example Sentences

1. Der Notar hat den Gesellschaftsvertrag beurkundet. (The notary notarized the articles of association. - Accusative Singular)
2. Die Regelungen stehen im Gesellschaftsvertrag. (The regulations are in the partnership agreement. - Dative Singular)
3. Die Rechte der Gesellschafter sind Teil des Gesellschaftsvertrags. (The shareholders' rights are part of the articles of association. - Genitive Singular)
4. Für verschiedene Tochterfirmen wurden separate Gesellschaftsverträge aufgesetzt. (Separate articles of association were drafted for various subsidiary companies. - Nominative Plural)

💡 How is 'Gesellschaftsvertrag' used?

The term "Gesellschaftsvertrag" is primarily used in legal and business contexts, especially during the formation and administration of companies involving multiple individuals or legal entities.

• Unternehmensgründung (Company Formation): It's the foundation of any multi-person company (GbR, OHG, KG, GmbH, UG, AG etc.).
• Legal Basis: It defines the internal order and the relationships between the partners/shareholders (Gesellschafter).
• Distinction: A Gesellschaftsvertrag differs from other contracts like an Arbeitsvertrag (employment contract) or Mietvertrag (lease agreement). It governs the structure and functioning of a company, not a single service or lease.
• Form (Formality): Depending on the legal form of the company, written form or even notarization (notarielle Beurkundung) may be legally required (e.g., for a GmbH).

Common phrases include: einen Gesellschaftsvertrag "aufsetzen" (to draft), "ändern" (to amend), "prüfen" (to review), or "kündigen" (to terminate).

🧠 Mnemonics to Remember

For the article 'der': Think of der Vertrag (the contract). Since "Gesellschaftsvertrag" ends in "-vertrag" and 'Vertrag' is masculine, Gesellschaftsvertrag is also masculine: der Gesellschaftsvertrag.

For the meaning: Imagine a Gesellschaft (a society or group of people) formally signing a Vertrag (contract) to undertake something together. This contract contains their shared plan and rules: the Gesellschaftsvertrag.

↔️ Related Terms: Synonyms & Contrasts

😂 A Little Joke

Ein Gesellschafter fragt den anderen: "Steht in unserem Gesellschaftsvertrag eigentlich auch drin, wer den Kaffee kocht?"
Antwortet der andere: "Nein, aber vielleicht sollten wir eine außerordentliche Gesellschafterversammlung einberufen, um das zu klären!"

Translation:
One partner asks the other: "Does our partnership agreement actually say who makes the coffee?"
The other replies: "No, but maybe we should call an extraordinary general meeting to clarify that!"

✒️ A Poem about the Contract

Zwei Gründer, klug und voller Tatendrang,
schmieden Pläne, tagein, tagelang.
Damit die Freundschaft und das Geld bestehen,
muss ein Vertrag die Regeln drehen.
Der Gesellschaftsvertrag, fest und klar,
macht die gemeinsame Zukunft wahr.
Wer was darf, wer was muss, wer haftet wann?
So fängt die Firma sicher an.

Translation:
Two founders, smart and full of drive,
Forging plans, day in, day out, they strive.
So friendship lasts and money stays around,
A contract must set rules profound.
The Articles of Association, firm and clear,
Make the shared future appear.
Who can do what, who must, who's liable when?
Thus the company safely can begin.

❓ A Little Riddle

Ich bin kein Mensch, doch schaffe Bund.
Ich regel Rechte, Stund um Stund.
Für GmbH, GbR und KG,
bin ich das erste A und O, juchhe!
Man braucht mich schriftlich, oft beim Notar,
sonst ist die Gründung nicht ganz klar.

Was bin ich?
Lösung: Der Gesellschaftsvertrag

Translation:
I am not human, yet I create a bond.
I regulate rights, hour by hour, beyond.
For GmbH, GbR, and KG,
I am the first alpha and omega, you see!
You need me in writing, often notarized,
Otherwise, the founding isn't clearly organized.

What am I?
Answer: The Gesellschaftsvertrag (Articles of Association / Partnership Agreement)

🧩 Word Composition and Trivia about the Gesellschaftsvertrag

Word Composition: The word is a compound noun, formed from:

• Die Gesellschaft: Meaning 'society', 'company', or 'partnership' – a group of people (Gesellschafter) joining together for a common purpose.
• Der Vertrag: Meaning 'contract' or 'agreement' – a legally binding arrangement.

So, it literally means a "company contract" or "society contract".

Trivia: The specific requirements for the content and form of a Gesellschaftsvertrag are regulated in various German laws, such as the Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch (BGB - Civil Code) for the GbR, the Handelsgesetzbuch (HGB - Commercial Code) for OHG and KG, and the GmbH-Gesetz (GmbHG - Limited Liability Companies Act) for the GmbH.