Meaning
To commit oneself to doing something.
Cultural Background
The 'Ehrbarer Kaufmann' (Honorable Merchant) tradition in Hamburg and other Hanseatic cities emphasizes that a verbal promise is as binding as a written contract. In Austria, 'ein Versprechen geben' might be accompanied by more polite particles like 'halt' or 'schon', but the weight of the commitment remains high. Swiss culture values precision. Giving a promise often involves very specific details about time and scope to ensure it can be kept perfectly. Cross-culturally, giving a promise is a 'commissive' act, but German culture is often noted for its lower tolerance for 'broken' promises compared to more 'fluid' social cultures.
Use the Dative!
Always remember that the person you are promising is in the Dative case (mir, dir, ihm, ihr, uns, euch, ihnen).
No 'machen'!
Never say 'ein Versprechen machen'. It is the most common mistake for English speakers.
Meaning
To commit oneself to doing something.
Use the Dative!
Always remember that the person you are promising is in the Dative case (mir, dir, ihm, ihr, uns, euch, ihnen).
No 'machen'!
Never say 'ein Versprechen machen'. It is the most common mistake for English speakers.
Be Careful
Don't give a promise in Germany unless you really mean it. It's taken very seriously!
Test Yourself
Which verb is correct in this collocation?
Ich ______ dir ein Versprechen.
In German, you 'give' (geben) a promise, you don't 'make' (machen) it.
Fill in the correct Dative pronoun.
Er gibt ______ (me) ein Versprechen.
The recipient of the promise is in the Dative case. 'Me' becomes 'mir'.
Complete the dialogue.
Kind: 'Papa, kommst du morgen?' Vater: 'Ja, ich ______ ______ ein Versprechen.'
The father is giving a promise to the child (Dative 'dir').
Match the phrase to the situation.
When would you say 'Ich gebe Ihnen mein feierliches Versprechen'?
'Feierliches Versprechen' is very formal and used for solemn occasions.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
German vs English
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch ______ dir ein Versprechen.
In German, you 'give' (geben) a promise, you don't 'make' (machen) it.
Er gibt ______ (me) ein Versprechen.
The recipient of the promise is in the Dative case. 'Me' becomes 'mir'.
Kind: 'Papa, kommst du morgen?' Vater: 'Ja, ich ______ ______ ein Versprechen.'
The father is giving a promise to the child (Dative 'dir').
When would you say 'Ich gebe Ihnen mein feierliches Versprechen'?
'Feierliches Versprechen' is very formal and used for solemn occasions.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, 'Ich verspreche' is the verb form and is very common. 'Ein Versprechen geben' is just more formal and emphatic.
It is 'ein Versprechen' because 'Versprechen' is neuter ({das|n}) and it is in the accusative case here.
It is an 'election promise' made by politicians during a campaign.
Absolutely. It shows a high level of commitment to a client or partner.
The opposite action is 'ein Versprechen brechen' (to break a promise).
It's similar but more intense. It's like saying 'I swear on my honor'.
You say 'Ich halte mein Versprechen'.
Rarely. In texts, people usually just write 'Versprochen!' (Promised!)
It's a linguistic convention. German views a promise as a thing you hand over to someone.
Yes, using 'mein' (my) instead of 'ein' (a) makes it even more personal.
Related Phrases
ein Versprechen halten
builds onTo keep a promise
ein Versprechen brechen
contrastTo break a promise
sein Wort geben
similarTo give one's word
eine Zusage machen
specialized formTo give a confirmation
versprechen
synonymTo promise (verb)
