Meaning
To come to a mutual understanding or contract.
Cultural Background
The 'Tarifautonomie' in Germany means that unions and employers must 'Abkommen treffen' without government interference. This is a pillar of German social stability. Brussels is the city of 'Abkommen'. Most EU laws start as a 'Schengener Abkommen' or similar pacts between member states. Switzerland is famous for its 'bilaterale Abkommen' with the EU, which allow it to participate in the single market without being a member. In Austria, the 'Sozialpartnerschaft' relies heavily on formal agreements between different interest groups to maintain economic peace.
Use the Passive
In news writing, use 'Ein Abkommen wurde getroffen' to sound more objective and professional.
Gender Alert
Always remember it is {das|n} Abkommen. Using 'der' or 'die' will immediately mark you as a non-native speaker in a formal context.
Meaning
To come to a mutual understanding or contract.
Use the Passive
In news writing, use 'Ein Abkommen wurde getroffen' to sound more objective and professional.
Gender Alert
Always remember it is {das|n} Abkommen. Using 'der' or 'die' will immediately mark you as a non-native speaker in a formal context.
The 'Handshake' Deal
Even if a deal is verbal, if it's in a business context, Germans might still call it an 'Abkommen' to emphasize its binding nature.
Test Yourself
Füllen Sie die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'treffen'.
Gestern ________ die beiden Staaten ein wichtiges Abkommen.
The sentence requires the past tense (Präteritum) because of 'Gestern'. 'Trafen' is the plural past tense form.
Welcher Satz ist am natürlichsten?
In einem offiziellen Bericht über den Klimawandel steht:
'Ein Abkommen treffen' is the standard formal collocation for reports.
Welches Wort passt zu welcher Situation?
1. Mit Freunden ins Kino gehen. 2. Ein Vertrag zwischen zwei Firmen.
'Abmachung' is for informal/personal things, 'Abkommen' for formal/professional things.
Vervollständigen Sie den Dialog.
A: Haben die Gewerkschaften schon zugestimmt? B: Nein, sie wollen erst ein faires ________ ________.
In the context of labor unions (Gewerkschaften), 'Abkommen treffen' is the most appropriate term.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formal vs Informal
Practice Bank
4 exercisesGestern ________ die beiden Staaten ein wichtiges Abkommen.
The sentence requires the past tense (Präteritum) because of 'Gestern'. 'Trafen' is the plural past tense form.
In einem offiziellen Bericht über den Klimawandel steht:
'Ein Abkommen treffen' is the standard formal collocation for reports.
1. Mit Freunden ins Kino gehen. 2. Ein Vertrag zwischen zwei Firmen.
'Abmachung' is for informal/personal things, 'Abkommen' for formal/professional things.
A: Haben die Gewerkschaften schon zugestimmt? B: Nein, sie wollen erst ein faires ________ ________.
In the context of labor unions (Gewerkschaften), 'Abkommen treffen' is the most appropriate term.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly, but it's much more formal. 'Make a deal' can be 'einen Deal machen' or 'eine Abmachung treffen'.
Only if you are talking about a formal agreement between clubs or leagues, not a simple play on the field.
Die Abkommen treffen. The noun 'Abkommen' stays the same in the plural.
It's possible and understood, but 'treffen' is the more common collocation for 'Abkommen'. You 'schließen' a 'Vertrag'.
No, that would be very unromantic! Use 'einen Antrag machen'.
Yes, it literally means 'coming away' from a previous state (like a conflict).
Ein geheimes Abkommen treffen.
Yes, very frequently, especially regarding their relations with the EU.
Usually 'über' (about) or 'mit' (with).
Yes, 'traf' and 'hat getroffen' are very common in news reports.
Related Phrases
eine Vereinbarung treffen
similarTo reach an agreement
einen Vertrag schließen
specialized formTo sign a contract
zu einer Einigung kommen
similarTo come to an agreement
ein Bündnis eingehen
specialized formTo enter an alliance
einen Kompromiss schließen
similarTo make a compromise
