die  Kombination

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/kɔmbinaˈt͡si̯oːn/

🧩 What does "die Kombination" mean?

Die Kombination (feminine noun) generally describes the *connection* or *union* of different elements, things, ideas, or people into a whole. It can refer to various contexts:

• The result of combining: A *mixture* or *composition*. Example: Diese Farbkombination gefällt mir gut. (I like this color combination.)
• The process of combining: The act of *putting together* or *linking*. Example: Die Kombination verschiedener Techniken führte zum Erfolg. (The combination of different techniques led to success.)
• A specific arrangement or sequence: Often in the context of locks, codes, or mathematics (combinatorics). Example: Er hat die Zahlenkombination für das Schloss vergessen. (He forgot the number combination for the lock.)

💡 Words ending in -ung in German are almost always feminine (die). While Kombination ends in -ion, this is a common ending for feminine loanwords from Latin, similar to the -ung rule.

📊 Grammar in Detail: Die Kombination

The word "Kombination" is a feminine noun. Here is its declension:

Example Sentences

• Die Kombination aus Theorie und Praxis ist wichtig.
  (The combination of theory and practice is important.)
• Der Erfolg hängt von der richtigen Kombination der Faktoren ab.
  (Success depends on the right combination of factors.)
• Wir brauchen eine neue Kombination für das Türschloss.
  (We need a new combination for the door lock.)
• Es gibt unzählige Kombinationen von Zutaten für dieses Rezept.
  (There are countless combinations of ingredients for this recipe.)
• Die Vielfalt der möglichen Kombinationen ist erstaunlich.
  (The variety of possible combinations is astonishing.)

🔄 How to Use "die Kombination"?

"Die Kombination" is a versatile word used in many fields:

• Everyday language: Describing outfits (Kleiderkombination - clothing combination), tastes (Geschmackskombination - taste combination), or general arrangements (eine gute Kombination - a good combination).
• Technology & Science: Denoting connections of elements, circuits, or chemical substances.
• Mathematics: In combinatorics, describing the selection of items without regard to order.
• Security: For number or letter codes (Zahlenkombination - number combination, Passwortkombination - password combination).

Typical phrases include:

• in Kombination mit... (in combination with...)
• eine Kombination aus... (a combination of...)
• die richtige/perfekte/ideale Kombination (the right/perfect/ideal combination)
• eine unglückliche Kombination (an unfortunate combination)

Compared to Mischung (mixture), Kombination often emphasizes a more structured or deliberate joining, whereas Mischung implies more of a simple mixing. Verbindung (connection, link) can be similar but often stresses the act of connecting or the linking element itself.

🧠 Memory Aids for "die Kombination"

For the article (die): Remember the common ending -ung often indicates feminine nouns. While Kombination ends in -ion, it follows the same pattern as many feminine loanwords (like die Nation, die Station). Think: "This combination needs attention, she (die) is important!"

For the meaning: Think of the English word "combination" - it's a direct cognate! Imagine combining different ingredients for a recipe - that's eine Kombination.

🔁 Synonyms & Antonyms for Kombination

⚠️ Be careful: Words like Kompromiss (compromise) are not synonyms, although they represent a type of agreement or 'bringing together' of positions.

😄 A Little Joke

Lehrer: "Was ist die sicherste Kombination für ein Zahlenschloss?"
Schüler: "1-1-1-1!"
Lehrer: "Warum das denn?"
Schüler: "Weil drei der Einsen falsch sind!"

--- Translation ---

Teacher: "What's the most secure combination for a combination lock?"
Student: "1-1-1-1!"
Teacher: "Why that?"
Student: "Because three of the ones are wrong!"

📜 Poem about Kombination

Rot und Blau, zu Lila fein,
Ideen groß und manchmal klein,
Zahlenreihen, Schloss am Tor,
Alles bringt die Kombination hervor.
Aus Vielem eins, geschickt verbunden,
So wird die Lösung oft gefunden.

--- Translation ---

Red and blue, to purple fine,
Ideas large and sometimes tiny design,
Number series, lock on the gate,
The combination does create.
From many one, skillfully bound,
Thus the solution is often found.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich füge zusammen, was getrennt,
Bin mal ein Code, den jeder kennt (oder sucht!).
Aus Farben, Zahlen, Wort und Klang,
Entsteht durch mich ein neuer Strang.
Was bin ich?

--- Translation ---

I join together what is separate,
Sometimes I'm a code that everyone knows (or seeks!).
From colors, numbers, word, and sound,
Through me, a new strand is found.
What am I? (Solution: die Kombination / the combination)

💡 Other Information

Word Origin: The word "Kombination" comes from the Latin verb combinare, meaning "to unite" or "to join together" (from com = together and bini = two each).

Compound Words: There are many compound words in German using "Kombination", e.g.:

• Zahlenkombination (number combination)
• Farbkombination (color combination)
• Wortkombination (word combination)
• Kombinationsgabe (combinative ability, deductive skill)
• Kombinationsschloss (combination lock)
• Kombinationszange (combination pliers)