die  Bindung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/ˈbɪndʊŋ/

🤝 What does 'die Bindung' mean?

The word die Bindung (feminine) has several meanings, all revolving around the concept of connection:

• Emotional/Social Connection: A close relationship or feeling of belonging between people, or towards animals, places, or ideas (e.g., Mutter-Kind-Bindung - mother-child bond, Kundenbindung - customer loyalty).
• Chemical Bond: The force that holds atoms together in molecules (e.g., kovalente Bindung - covalent bond, Ionenbindung - ionic bond).
• Physical/Technical Connection:
  • The joining of parts, e.g., in bookbinding (der Einband - the cover).
  • A device that fastens something, e.g., a Skibindung (ski binding) or a Kabelbindung (cable tie).
  • Figuratively, also an obligation or contract (although Verbindlichkeit is often more specific here).

🚨 Although related to bookbinding (das Buchbinden), the word for the book cover itself is often 'der Einband' (masculine).

Article rules for der, die, and das

The Grammar of 'Bindung' 📜

The noun 'Bindung' is feminine. Its declension is as follows:

Example Sentences

1. Eine starke Bindung zwischen Mutter und Kind ist wichtig.
   (A strong bond between mother and child is important.)
2. Die kovalente Bindung entsteht durch gemeinsame Elektronenpaare.
   (The covalent bond is formed by shared electron pairs.)
3. Die Bindung meiner Skier muss richtig eingestellt sein.
   (The binding of my skis must be adjusted correctly.)
4. Mit der Unterschrift gehst du eine feste Bindung ein.
   (With the signature, you enter into a firm commitment/obligation.)

How and when to use 'Bindung'? 📝

• Context is Key: The meaning of 'Bindung' usually becomes clear from the context. If you're talking about chemistry, it refers to atoms. In psychology, it's about relationships. In sports, it often means ski bindings.
• Abstract vs. Concrete: The word can describe very abstract connections (love, trust - Liebe, Vertrauen) as well as very concrete ones (ski binding - Skibindung, bookbinding - Buchbindung).
• Compounds: 'Bindung' forms part of many compound words that specify the type of bond: Kundenbindung (customer loyalty), Mitarbeiterbindung (employee retention), Bindungsangst (fear of commitment), Atombindung (atomic bond), Wasserstoffbrückenbindung (hydrogen bond), Bindungsenergie (binding energy), Skibindung (ski binding).
• Distinction from 'Verbindung': While 'Bindung' often implies a deeper, stronger, or more specific type of connection (emotional, chemical, technically fixed), 'Verbindung' is more general and can also refer to a looser link, a route (Zugverbindung - train connection), or contact.

Memory Aids for 'Bindung' 🤔

Article Mnemonic: Words ending in '-ung' in German are almost always feminine (die). Think of die Umarmung (the hug), die Beziehung (the relationship), die Meinung (the opinion) – they all end in -ung and take 'die'. So does die Bindung.

Meaning Mnemonic: Imagine 'binding' things together: binding people with affection (emotional Bindung), binding atoms with chemical forces (chemische Bindung), or binding your ski boot to your ski (Ski-Bindung). The English word 'binding' is a direct cognate and helps remember the core idea of connection.

Similar & Opposite: Synonyms & Antonyms 🔄

⚠️ Watch out for similar words:

• Verbindung: More general than Bindung. An Internetverbindung (internet connection) isn't an emotionale Bindung (emotional bond).
• Bund (der): Masculine! Can mean an alliance (Staatenbund - confederation), a bunch (Schlüsselbund - key ring), or a waistband (Hosenbund).
• Band (das/der): 'Das Band' can be tape (Klebeband) or recording tape (Tonband). 'Der Band' refers to a volume of a book series.

A Little Joke 😄

Fragt ein Atom das andere: "Hast du Elektronen verloren?"
Sagt das andere Atom: "Ja, ich bin positiv geladen!"
Fragt das erste: "Bist du sicher?"
Antwortet das zweite: "Ja, ich gehe jetzt eine feste Bindung ein!"

--- English Translation ---

One atom asks another: "Have you lost any electrons?"
The other atom says: "Yes, I'm positively charged!"
The first asks: "Are you sure?"
The second replies: "Yes, I'm going to form a strong bond now!" (pun on 'positive' meaning sure/certain and positive charge)

Poem about 'Bindung' ✍️

Die Bindung, zart und doch so stark,
Hält Herzen fest im Lebenspark.
Mal chemisch, klein, in Molekülen,
Mal zwischen Seelen, warm zu fühlen.

Sie hält das Buch, die Ski am Schuh,
Lässt Freundschaft wachsen, immerzu.
Ob Mensch, ob Stoff, ob Geist, ob Teil,
Die Bindung macht uns stark und heil.

--- English Translation ---

The Bond, tender and yet so strong,
Holds hearts securely life-long.
Sometimes chemical, small, in molecules found,
Sometimes between souls, warm and profound.

It holds the book, the ski to the shoe,
Lets friendship grow, forever true.
Whether human, matter, spirit, or part,
The Bond makes us strong and whole of heart.

Guess What! 🤔

Ich halte Atome im Verbund,
Verbinde Herzen Stund um Stund.
Am Ski bin ich, am Buch ganz fest,
Bin mehr als nur ein kleiner Rest.

Mal sichtbar, mal nur im Gefühl,
Mal heiß und mal ganz kühl.

Was bin ich, sag, mit femininem Klang?

--- English Translation & Clues ---

I hold atoms together in a compound,
Connect hearts hour after hour, all around.
I'm on the ski, on the book held fast,
I'm more than just something small that lasts.

Sometimes visible, sometimes just a feeling's art,
Sometimes hot and sometimes cool from the start.

What am I, tell me, with a feminine sound?
(Solution: die Bindung)

More about 'Bindung' 🤓

• Etymology: The word 'Bindung' comes from the verb 'binden', which traces back to the Old High German 'bintan', already meaning 'to tie', 'to bind', 'to connect'. It's related to the English word 'bind'.
• Attachment Theory (Bindungstheorie): In psychology, Bindungstheorie (developed by John Bowlby) is central to understanding early childhood development and later relationships.
• Double Bond (Doppelbindung): In chemistry, a Doppelbindung is a double bond (two shared electron pairs). In communication theory, a 'double bind' (Doppelbindung) describes a paradoxical communication situation that can cause psychological distress.