die  Vereinbarung

B2

Estimated CEFR level.

/fɛɐ̯ˈaɪnˌʁaɪ̯nʊŋ/

🤝 What does "die Vereinbarung" mean?

Die Vereinbarung (feminine, plural: die Vereinbarungen) refers to an agreement or arrangement between two or more parties. It's the result of a negotiation or discussion where the participants agree on specific points, rules, or procedures. A Vereinbarung can be made verbally or in writing and often forms the basis for contracts (Verträge) or joint projects.

Good news! There's only one article for this word, making things simpler. It's always die Vereinbarung.

Article rules for der, die, and das

📚 Grammar in Detail: Die Vereinbarung

The word "Vereinbarung" is a feminine noun. Nouns ending in "-ung" are almost always feminine (die) in German.

💡 Example Sentences

1. Wir haben eine mündliche Vereinbarung getroffen.
   (We made a verbal agreement.)
2. Die Details der Vereinbarung wurden schriftlich festgehalten.
   (The details of the agreement were recorded in writing.)
3. Gemäß unserer Vereinbarung treffen wir uns morgen um 10 Uhr.
   (According to our agreement, we will meet tomorrow at 10 am.)
4. Die Einhaltung der getroffenen Vereinbarungen ist für beide Seiten wichtig.
   (Adherence to the agreements made is important for both sides.)

🗣️ How to Use "Vereinbarung"

Die Vereinbarung is frequently used in both formal and informal contexts when discussing arrangements or understandings:

• In professional settings: Arbeitsvereinbarungen (work agreements), Zielvereinbarungen (target agreements), Projektvereinbarungen (project agreements).
• In legal contexts: Außergerichtliche Vereinbarungen (out-of-court settlements), Zahlungsvereinbarungen (payment agreements), Vertraulichkeitsvereinbarungen (confidentiality agreements - often part of a more formal Vertrag or contract).
• In private life: Agreements between friends or family members about shared activities or rules.

Distinguishing from similar words:

• Vertrag (der): Usually more legally binding and formal than a Vereinbarung. A Vereinbarung can be the basis for a Vertrag, but not every Vereinbarung is a Vertrag.
• Abkommen (das): Often used for agreements between states or larger organizations (e.g., Handelsabkommen - trade agreements), but can also be used synonymously with Vereinbarung.
• Absprache (die): Generally more informal than a Vereinbarung, often verbal.

⚠️ Pay attention to the context to choose the most appropriate word.

🧠 Mnemonics for Vereinbarung

1. For the article (die): Think of words ending in '-ung' like a 'gang' of women. A 'gang' is feminine, so it's die Vereinbarung. (Most -ung nouns are feminine).
2. For the meaning (agreement): Imagine two people 'vereint' (united) in 'bargaining' until they reach an 'ung'-derstanding (understanding -> agreement). That's their Vereinbarung.

↔️ Opposites and Similar Words

🚨 Be careful with Verabredung (die): This usually refers to an appointment or date (meeting at a specific time), not a substantive agreement on terms.

😂 A Little Joke

Fragt der Chef den neuen Mitarbeiter: "Haben Sie die Vertraulichkeitsvereinbarung gelesen?"
Mitarbeiter: "Ja, klar!"
Chef: "Und verstanden?"
Mitarbeiter: "Ich habe eine Vereinbarung mit mir getroffen, nicht darüber zu sprechen!"

Translation:
The boss asks the new employee: "Have you read the confidentiality agreement (Vertraulichkeitsvereinbarung)?"
Employee: "Yes, of course!"
Boss: "And understood it?"
Employee: "I've made an agreement (Vereinbarung) with myself not to talk about it!"

📜 A Poem about Agreements

Zwei Hände reichen sich zum Bund,
Besiegeln es mit Wort und Mund.
Was man bespricht, was man beschließt,
Als Vereinbarung nun fließt.

Ob groß, ob klein, ob alt, ob neu,
Man hält sich dran, bleibt ihr treu.
So schafft man Ordnung, schafft Vertrau'n,
Kann aufeinander sicher bau'n.

Translation:
Two hands reach out to form a bond,
Sealing it with word and mouth.
What is discussed, what is decided,
As an agreement (Vereinbarung) now flows forth.

Whether big or small, old or new,
One sticks to it, remains true.
Thus order is created, trust is gained,
Can surely build upon each other then.

❓ Riddle Time

Ich werde getroffen, doch nie geschlagen.
Ich werde gehalten, doch hab keine Tragen.
Ich schaffe Klarheit, beende den Streit.
Zwischen zwei oder mehr bin ich jederzeit bereit.

Was bin ich? ... Die Vereinbarung

Translation:
I am reached (met), but never beaten.
I am kept (held), but have no carriers/handles.
I create clarity, end the dispute.
Between two or more, I am always ready.

What am I?
... The agreement (die Vereinbarung)

🧩 Word Components & Trivia

Word Composition:

The word Vereinbarung derives from the verb vereinbaren. This verb means "to agree on something", "to arrange", or "to settle". The suffix -ung turns the verb into a noun, denoting the result or act of agreeing. Such nominalizations ending in "-ung" are very common in German and are always feminine (die).

Trivia:

In a legal sense, breaching a Vereinbarung can have legal consequences, even if it wasn't explicitly called a "Vertrag" (contract), as long as it fulfills the characteristics of a mutual declaration of intent.