In 15 Seconds
- Finalizing a formal pact or deal.
- Commonly used in business and political contexts.
- Implies a binding, often written commitment.
Meaning
This phrase is about finalizing a formal deal or pact between two parties. It’s like two sides finally shaking hands on a big decision after a period of negotiation.
Key Examples
3 of 6In a business meeting
Wir konnten heute ein wichtiges Abkommen mit unserem Lieferanten schließen.
We were able to conclude an important agreement with our supplier today.
Roommate negotiations
Wir haben ein Abkommen geschlossen: Ich putze, und du kochst.
We made an agreement: I clean, and you cook.
International news report
Die beiden Staaten schlossen ein neues Handelsabkommen.
The two states concluded a new trade agreement.
Cultural Background
In German culture, a handshake or a formal agreement carries significant weight. The term 'Abkommen' is frequently used in the context of 'Tarifabkommen' (collective bargaining agreements), which are a cornerstone of the German labor market and social partnership.
The 'Close' Logic
Think of 'schließen' as 'closing' the case. Once the agreement is closed, the debate is over and the rules are set.
Don't use it for pizza
Avoid using this for casual plans. Saying 'Wir schließen ein Abkommen über das Abendessen' sounds like you're starting a trade war over tacos.
In 15 Seconds
- Finalizing a formal pact or deal.
- Commonly used in business and political contexts.
- Implies a binding, often written commitment.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a crossroads with someone. You both want something specific. You talk, you argue, and finally, you agree. To Abkommen schließen is that final click. It is the moment you both say, "Yes, this is the deal." It sounds a bit fancy. It is not just a pinky swear. It is a formal commitment between two parties. You are effectively "closing" the negotiation phase and locking in the terms.
How To Use It
You usually use this with a direct object. You "close" an agreement. In German, we use the verb schließen. It feels like you are shutting a door on negotiations. The deal is now safe inside. You can use it in the past tense often: Wir haben ein Abkommen geschlossen. This means the work is done. You can also use it with adjectives. A langfristiges Abkommen is a long-term one. Always remember that Abkommen is a neuter noun (das Abkommen).
When To Use It
Use this in your professional life. It is perfect for business meetings. If your company signs a deal with a partner, use it. It also works for big life decisions. Maybe you and your partner agree on how to save money. That is a serious Abkommen. It is also the bread and butter of news reports. You will hear it constantly in politics when countries talk to each other. It implies that the agreement is documented or at least very firm.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for small stuff. If you agree to meet a friend at 5 PM, don't use it. That would sound like you are a robot. "I have closed an agreement to meet for pizza." Your friend will laugh at you. Keep it for things that have weight. Avoid it in very casual, fleeting moments. If the "deal" only lasts five minutes, it’s not an Abkommen.
Cultural Background
Germans love their rules and clarity. We like things to be festgelegt or fixed. An Abkommen gives us peace of mind. Historically, Germany was a collection of many small states. They had to Abkommen schließen constantly to survive and trade. This need for written, clear deals is in our cultural DNA. It is about Vertrauen (trust) but also about Sicherheit (security). If it's written down, it's real.
Common Variations
You might hear eine Vereinbarung treffen. This is a bit softer. It is more common in daily office life. Then there is einen Vertrag schließen. This is the legal version. If there are lawyers involved, it is a Vertrag. If it is a broader understanding or a political pact, it is an Abkommen. You can also Frieden schließen (make peace). That is the most significant and emotional version of this phrase structure.
Usage Notes
This phrase is firmly in the formal to neutral register. It is most common in journalism, business, and legal contexts. Avoid it in casual settings unless you are being intentionally hyperbolic or humorous.
The 'Close' Logic
Think of 'schließen' as 'closing' the case. Once the agreement is closed, the debate is over and the rules are set.
Don't use it for pizza
Avoid using this for casual plans. Saying 'Wir schließen ein Abkommen über das Abendessen' sounds like you're starting a trade war over tacos.
Written is King
In Germany, an 'Abkommen' usually implies there is a paper trail. If it's just a verbal promise, 'Abmachung' is safer.
Examples
6Wir konnten heute ein wichtiges Abkommen mit unserem Lieferanten schließen.
We were able to conclude an important agreement with our supplier today.
Standard professional usage for a business deal.
Wir haben ein Abkommen geschlossen: Ich putze, und du kochst.
We made an agreement: I clean, and you cook.
Used here to give a humorous, serious weight to household chores.
Die beiden Staaten schlossen ein neues Handelsabkommen.
The two states concluded a new trade agreement.
Classic political context seen in newspapers.
Lass uns ein Abkommen schließen: Kein Handy am Esstisch!
Let's make a deal: No phones at the dinner table!
Setting a firm boundary in a relationship.
Mein Hund und ich haben ein Abkommen geschlossen: Er bellt nicht, wenn ich telefoniere.
My dog and I have reached an agreement: He doesn't bark when I'm on the phone.
Using formal language for a funny, non-formal situation.
Nach Jahren des Streits schlossen sie endlich ein Abkommen.
After years of quarreling, they finally reached an agreement.
Focuses on the resolution of a serious conflict.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct form of 'schließen'.
Gestern haben die Firmen ein neues Abkommen ___.
The past participle of 'schließen' is 'geschlossen'.
Which noun fits best in a formal political context?
Die Regierung möchte ein ___ über den Klimaschutz schließen.
'Abkommen' is the most appropriate formal term for a political pact.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of Making Deals
Casual verbal deal
Was ausmachen
Standard agreement
Eine Abmachung treffen
Official pact
Ein Abkommen schließen
Legal contract
Einen Vertrag schließen
Where to use 'Abkommen schließen'
Diplomacy
Peace treaties
Corporate
Partnership deals
Labor
Wage agreements
Serious Personal
Life-changing pacts
Practice Bank
2 exercisesGestern haben die Firmen ein neues Abkommen ___.
The past participle of 'schließen' is 'geschlossen'.
Die Regierung möchte ein ___ über den Klimaschutz schließen.
'Abkommen' is the most appropriate formal term for a political pact.
🎉 Score: /2
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsAn Abkommen is often a broader pact or political agreement, while a Vertrag is a strictly legal contract. You 'close' both, but Vertrag involves more lawyers.
You can say eine Abmachung machen in very casual speech, but with Abkommen, you should almost always use schließen. Using machen sounds uneducated in this context.
It can be both! Das Abkommen is singular, and die Abkommen is plural. The word doesn't change its ending, just the article.
Only if the topic is serious. You might use it jokingly with friends to emphasize a deal, but usually, it's for work or news.
It's a synonym for schließen, but schließen sounds slightly more final and official. Treffen is like 'hitting' the agreement.
Not really. For marriage, we say den Bund fürs Leben schließen. Using Abkommen would make a wedding sound like a business merger.
It comes from the idea of 'closing' a circle or 'locking' a deal so it cannot be changed. It signifies the end of the negotiation process.
This is a very common German word for a collective bargaining agreement between unions and employers. It's a huge part of German work culture.
It is ein Abkommen because the word is neuter (das Abkommen). In the accusative case, it stays ein Abkommen.
Yes! Frieden schließen is the standard way to say 'make peace'. It follows the same logic as Abkommen schließen.
Related Phrases
eine Vereinbarung treffen
einen Vertrag unterzeichnen
einen Kompromiss eingehen
Frieden schließen
eine Abmachung treffen
