der Kontakt
der Kontakt in 30 Seconds
- Der Kontakt is a masculine noun meaning 'contact' or 'connection'.
- It is used for social networking, physical touch, and electrical connections.
- Common phrases include 'in Kontakt bleiben' and 'Kontakt aufnehmen'.
- The plural form is 'die Kontakte', and it often takes the preposition 'zu'.
- Social Interaction
- In a social sense, it describes the connection between people. You might say you have 'viel Kontakt' (much contact) with your family or 'wenig Kontakt' (little contact) with former classmates. It encompasses everything from a brief chat to a lifelong friendship.
Ich habe noch immer engen Kontakt zu meinen Schulfreunden.
- Technical Usage
- In physics or engineering, it refers to the junction where two conductors meet. If your phone isn't charging, a German technician might say the Kontakt is dirty.
Vorsicht, die Batterie hat keinen richtigen Kontakt.
- Verbal Collocations
- Common verbs include 'aufnehmen' (to start), 'halten' (to keep), and 'abbrechen' (to break off). Each verb changes the dynamic of the relationship described.
Wir müssen unbedingt in Kontakt bleiben, wenn du umziehst.
- Prepositional Usage
- 'Mit' is also used, but 'zu' is more frequent when describing the existence of a relationship. 'In Kontakt mit jemandem treten' is a more formal way to say you are reaching out to someone.
Die Firma ist bereits mit dem Kunden in Kontakt getreten.
- The Workplace
- In business, 'Ansprechpartner' is often used for a specific person, but 'Kontakt' is used for the general connection. You might hear: 'Haben Sie einen Kontakt bei dieser Firma?'
Bitte hinterlassen Sie Ihre Kontaktdaten auf dem Formular.
- Daily Life
- At the doctor's office: 'Hatten Sie Kontakt zu infizierten Personen?' This shows the word's importance in health and safety.
Der Kontakt mit Wasser sollte vermieden werden.
- Preposition Confusion
- Incorrect: Ich habe Kontakt mit meine Mutter. Correct: Ich habe Kontakt zu meiner Mutter. (Note the dative case after 'zu').
Falsch: Ich mache Kontakt. Richtig: Ich nehme Kontakt auf.
- Article Omission
- In the phrase 'in Kontakt bleiben', don't use an article. Saying 'in dem Kontakt bleiben' is grammatically possible but sounds very strange in this idiomatic context.
Wir haben den Kontakt verloren. (We lost touch).
- Verbindung vs. Kontakt
- 'Verbindung' (connection) is often used for technical links (internet, phone) or deep emotional bonds. 'Kontakt' is more about the act of communication or the specific link itself.
Die Verbindung zwischen uns ist sehr stark.
- Beziehung
- 'Beziehung' means relationship. You can have 'Kontakt' with someone without having a 'Beziehung' (like a one-time business contact).
Wir pflegen einen guten Kontakt zu unseren Nachbarn.
How Formal Is It?
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Fun Fact
The word entered German in the 18th century, initially as a technical term in physics before becoming a social term.
Pronunciation Guide
- Stressing the first syllable (KON-takt) like in English.
- Pronouncing the 'o' as a long 'oh' sound.
- Forgetting to pronounce the 't' at the end clearly.
Difficulty Rating
Very easy to recognize due to the English cognate.
Requires knowledge of the 'zu + Dativ' rule.
Pronunciation is straightforward but stress is important.
Clear sound, easily distinguishable in conversation.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
Masculine Nouns in Accusative
Ich habe den Kontakt.
Preposition 'zu' with Dative
Kontakt zu meinem Vater.
Dative Plural '-n' ending
In den Kontakten.
Separable Verbs
Ich nehme Kontakt auf.
Zero Article in Fixed Phrases
In Kontakt bleiben.
Examples by Level
Ich habe einen Kontakt.
I have a contact.
Accusative masculine: 'einen Kontakt'.
Hast du meine Nummer in deinen Kontakten?
Do you have my number in your contacts?
Dative plural: 'in deinen Kontakten'.
Der Kontakt ist neu.
The contact is new.
Nominative masculine: 'Der Kontakt'.
Ich brauche einen Kontakt in Berlin.
I need a contact in Berlin.
Accusative masculine.
Wir haben keinen Kontakt.
We have no contact.
Negation with 'keinen'.
Hier ist mein Kontakt.
Here is my contact.
Possessive 'mein'.
Sie sucht Kontakt.
She is looking for contact.
Zero article usage.
Ist das dein Kontakt?
Is that your contact?
Question form.
Ich möchte Kontakt zu dir halten.
I want to keep in touch with you.
Verb 'halten' + 'zu' + Dativ.
Wir bleiben in Kontakt.
We stay in touch.
Fixed expression 'in Kontakt bleiben'.
Haben Sie Kontakt zu Herrn Müller?
Are you in touch with Mr. Müller?
Formal address.
Ich nehme Kontakt mit der Firma auf.
I am contacting the company.
Separable verb 'aufnehmen'.
Er hat wenig Kontakt zu seiner Familie.
He has little contact with his family.
Adverb 'wenig'.
Bitte geben Sie mir Ihre Kontaktdaten.
Please give me your contact details.
Compound noun.
Ich habe den Kontakt verloren.
I lost touch.
Past tense with 'haben'.
Sie pflegt den Kontakt zu ihren Freunden.
She maintains contact with her friends.
Verb 'pflegen' (to maintain).
Auf der Messe kann man gut neue Kontakte knüpfen.
You can network well at the trade fair.
Idiom 'Kontakte knüpfen'.
Der Kontakt zum Kunden ist sehr wichtig.
Contact with the customer is very important.
Dative after 'zu'.
Wir sind seit Jahren in engem Kontakt.
We have been in close contact for years.
Adjective 'engem' in dative.
Vermeiden Sie den Kontakt mit Chemikalien.
Avoid contact with chemicals.
Imperative form.
Ich habe einen interessanten Kontakt hergestellt.
I established an interesting contact.
Perfect tense.
Der soziale Kontakt fehlt mir sehr.
I miss social contact a lot.
Subject of the sentence.
Hatten Sie direkten Kontakt?
Did you have direct contact?
Adjective 'direkten'.
Es gibt keinen Kontakt zwischen den Gruppen.
There is no contact between the groups.
Preposition 'zwischen'.
Der Kontakt zur Außenwelt wurde unterbrochen.
Contact with the outside world was interrupted.
Passive voice.
Er ist ein sehr kontaktfreudiger Mensch.
He is a very sociable person.
Adjective derived from 'Kontakt'.
Die Linse hat direkten Kontakt mit dem Auge.
The lens has direct contact with the eye.
Technical usage.
Wir müssen den Kontakt zur Realität bewahren.
We must maintain contact with reality.
Abstract usage.
Das Kabel hat einen Wackelkontakt.
The cable has a loose connection.
Compound noun.
Die Kontaktaufnahme gestaltete sich schwierig.
Establishing contact proved difficult.
Nominalization.
Durch diesen Kontakt ergaben sich neue Chancen.
New opportunities arose through this contact.
Preposition 'durch'.
Sie hat alle Kontakte abgebrochen.
She broke off all contacts.
Plural accusative.
Die Intensivierung der diplomatischen Kontakte ist das Ziel.
The goal is to intensify diplomatic contacts.
Genitive plural.
Es mangelt an echtem zwischenmenschlichem Kontakt.
There is a lack of real interpersonal contact.
Dative after 'an'.
Der Kontakt zwischen Theorie und Praxis ist essenziell.
Contact between theory and practice is essential.
Abstract noun.
Er trat in Kontakt mit seiner inneren Stimme.
He got in touch with his inner voice.
Metaphorical usage.
Die Kontaktzone ist ein Ort des kulturellen Austauschs.
The contact zone is a place of cultural exchange.
Academic term.
Trotz des Kontakts blieb die Situation unklar.
Despite the contact, the situation remained unclear.
Genitive after 'trotz'.
Die Kontaktbeschränkungen wurden aufgehoben.
The contact restrictions were lifted.
Historical/Societal context.
Ein flüchtiger Kontakt reichte aus.
A fleeting contact was enough.
Adjective 'flüchtiger'.
Die ontologische Bedeutung des Kontakts wird oft unterschätzt.
The ontological significance of contact is often underestimated.
Genitive singular.
In der Kontaktlinguistik untersucht man Sprachmischungen.
In contact linguistics, one examines language mixing.
Specialized field.
Der Kontakt der Kulturen führt zu Hybridität.
The contact of cultures leads to hybridity.
Sociological theory.
Er suchte den Kontakt zum Transzendenten.
He sought contact with the transcendent.
High-level register.
Die Kontaktfläche muss absolut rein sein.
The contact surface must be absolutely pure.
Precision technical term.
Es kam zu einem folgenschweren Kontakt.
A momentous contact occurred.
Adjective 'folgenschweren'.
Die Subtilität des Kontakts war bemerkenswert.
The subtlety of the contact was remarkable.
Abstract quality.
Ohne jeglichen Kontakt zur Zivilisation überlebte er.
He survived without any contact with civilization.
Emphasis with 'jeglichen'.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
In Kontakt treten
Kontaktdaten hinterlassen
Den Kontakt verlieren
Kontaktperson
Kontaktformular
Augenkontakt halten
Erster Kontakt
Kontaktlinse
Kontaktscheu
Kontaktbereich
Often Confused With
Anschluss is for technical connections like internet or trains, while Kontakt is for interaction.
Verbindung is a broader term for any link; Kontakt is more specific to the act of reaching out.
Berührung is specifically physical touch, whereas Kontakt is often social.
Idioms & Expressions
"Kontakte knüpfen"
To network or build a circle of acquaintances.
Auf Partys knüpft sie schnell Kontakte.
Neutral"In Kontakt bleiben"
To continue communicating after a meeting.
Schreib mir mal, wir bleiben in Kontakt!
Informal"Den Kontakt abbrechen"
To intentionally stop talking to someone.
Nach dem Streit hat er den Kontakt abgebrochen.
Neutral"Einen Wackelkontakt haben"
To have a loose electrical connection; metaphorically, an unstable relationship.
Die Lampe hat einen Wackelkontakt.
Neutral"Kontakt zur Basis verlieren"
To lose touch with the common people or ground reality.
Der Politiker hat den Kontakt zur Basis verloren.
Formal"Mit jemandem in Kontakt treten"
To initiate communication formally.
Wir werden morgen mit Ihnen in Kontakt treten.
Formal"Kontaktfreudig sein"
To be outgoing and enjoy meeting new people.
Für diesen Job muss man kontaktfreudig sein.
Neutral"Keinen Kontakt zur Realität haben"
To be delusional or out of touch with reality.
Er hat völlig den Kontakt zur Realität verloren.
Neutral"In engem Kontakt stehen"
To be in frequent and close communication.
Die beiden Firmen stehen in engem Kontakt.
Formal"Kontaktdaten austauschen"
To swap phone numbers or emails.
Wollen wir Kontaktdaten austauschen?
NeutralEasily Confused
Both mean 'connection'.
Anschluss is used for phone lines, trains, and physical plugs. Kontakt is for people and electrical points.
Ich habe keinen Anschluss unter dieser Nummer.
Both involve people.
Beziehung is a deep relationship (romantic or long-term). Kontakt can be a one-time interaction.
Unsere Beziehung ist sehr gut.
Both involve social circles.
Umgang refers to the act of socializing or the people you hang out with regularly.
Er hat schlechten Umgang.
Very similar meaning.
Verbindung is more abstract or technical. Kontakt is more about the specific point of interaction.
Die Verbindung wurde unterbrochen.
Both can mean touch.
Berührung is the physical sensation. Kontakt is the state of being in touch.
Die Berührung war nur kurz.
Sentence Patterns
Ich habe [Adjektiv] Kontakt.
Ich habe neuen Kontakt.
Ich habe Kontakt zu [Person].
Ich habe Kontakt zu meiner Schwester.
Lass uns in Kontakt bleiben.
Lass uns in Kontakt bleiben.
Ich nehme Kontakt mit [Firma] auf.
Ich nehme Kontakt mit der Bank auf.
Es ist wichtig, Kontakte zu knüpfen.
Es ist wichtig, Kontakte zu knüpfen.
Der Kontakt wurde abgebrochen.
Der Kontakt wurde abgebrochen.
Die Pflege der Kontakte ist zeitaufwendig.
Die Pflege der Kontakte ist zeitaufwendig.
In der Kontaktzone entstehen neue Ideen.
In der Kontaktzone entstehen neue Ideen.
Word Family
Nouns
Verbs
Adjectives
Related
How to Use It
Extremely high in both spoken and written German.
-
Ich mache Kontakt.
→
Ich nehme Kontakt auf.
You don't 'make' contact in German; you 'take it up'.
-
Ich habe Kontakt mit meine Freunde.
→
Ich habe Kontakt zu meinen Freunden.
Use 'zu' + Dative for social contact.
-
Das Kontakt ist gut.
→
Der Kontakt ist gut.
Kontakt is masculine, not neuter.
-
Wir bleiben in dem Kontakt.
→
Wir bleiben in Kontakt.
The article is omitted in this fixed idiom.
-
Ich habe viele Kontakten.
→
Ich habe viele Kontakte.
The plural is 'Kontakte'. 'Kontakten' is only for dative plural.
Tips
Preposition Choice
Use 'zu' for people you know personally and 'mit' for companies or formal entities.
Networking
Learn the phrase 'Kontakte knüpfen' to describe meeting people at events.
Endings
Make sure to pronounce the 't' at the end of 'Kontakt' clearly to avoid sounding like 'Kontak'.
Privacy
Germans value privacy; 'Kontakt aufnehmen' should be done respectfully.
Electronics
If your device isn't working, check the 'Kontakte' (the metal parts that touch).
Compound Nouns
German loves compounds. Use 'Kontaktdaten' instead of 'Daten für den Kontakt'.
Cognates
Since it looks like 'contact', focus your energy on learning the verbs that go with it.
Maintaining Links
Use 'Kontakt pflegen' to describe the effort of keeping friendships alive.
Context Clues
If you hear 'Kontakt' in a shop, it likely refers to a person you should talk to.
Formal Phrases
Use 'In Kontakt treten' in cover letters to sound professional.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of a 'Plug' making 'Contact'. In German, you 'Take up' (aufnehmen) the plug to make the connection.
Visual Association
Imagine two gears clicking together. That click is the 'Kontakt'.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to find three different 'Kontakte' in your phone and write a sentence about how often you have 'Kontakt' with them.
Word Origin
Derived from the Latin 'contactus', which is the past participle of 'contingere'.
Original meaning: To touch, to seize, or to happen to.
Indo-European (via Latin to German).Cultural Context
Be careful when using 'Kontakt abbrechen'; it is a very strong statement indicating a permanent end to a relationship.
English speakers often use 'contact' as a verb ('Contact me!'). In German, you usually use the verb 'kontaktieren' or the phrase 'Kontakt aufnehmen'.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Social Media
- Kontakte hinzufügen
- Kontakte blockieren
- Neue Kontakte finden
- In Kontakt treten
Business Networking
- Kontakte knüpfen
- Visitenkarten austauschen
- Einen Kontakt vermitteln
- Berufliche Kontakte
Technical Support
- Der Kontakt ist lose
- Kein Kontakt vorhanden
- Wackelkontakt prüfen
- Elektrischer Kontakt
Health/Medicine
- Enger Kontakt zu Infizierten
- Hautkontakt vermeiden
- Kontaktlinsen reinigen
- Direkter Kontakt
Daily Life
- Kontakt halten
- In Kontakt bleiben
- Den Kontakt verlieren
- Kontaktdaten geben
Conversation Starters
"Hast du noch Kontakt zu deinen Freunden aus der Schulzeit?"
"Wie knüpfst du am liebsten neue Kontakte?"
"Ist es dir wichtig, jeden Tag sozialen Kontakt zu haben?"
"Was machst du, wenn ein Kabel einen Wackelkontakt hat?"
"Wie viele Kontakte hast du in deinem Telefon gespeichert?"
Journal Prompts
Schreibe über einen wichtigen Kontakt in deinem Leben und wie ihr euch kennengelernt habt.
Warum ist es manchmal schwierig, den Kontakt zu alten Freunden zu halten?
Beschreibe eine Situation, in der du erfolgreich neue berufliche Kontakte geknüpft hast.
Wie hat sich der soziale Kontakt durch das Internet verändert?
Was bedeutet 'echter Kontakt' für dich im Vergleich zu digitalem Kontakt?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsIt is masculine: der Kontakt. This is important for articles and adjective endings.
The most common way is 'in Kontakt bleiben'. You can also say 'Kontakt halten'.
The plural is 'die Kontakte'. In the dative case, it becomes 'den Kontakten'.
Yes, 'Kontakt mit' is possible, but 'Kontakt zu' is more common for social relationships.
It means to network or to start making new acquaintances and professional links.
It is a loose electrical connection that works only intermittently.
You should say 'Bitte kontaktieren Sie mich' or 'Treten Sie mit mir in Kontakt'.
Yes, the address book on a German phone is called 'Kontakte'.
Kontakt is usually the act of meeting or communicating; Verbindung is the underlying link or technical connection.
In fixed phrases like 'in Kontakt bleiben', the article is omitted. Otherwise, it usually needs one.
Test Yourself 180 questions
Write a sentence using 'in Kontakt bleiben'.
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Write a sentence about having contact with your family.
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Translate: 'I lost touch with him.'
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Translate: 'Please leave your contact details.'
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Write a sentence using 'Kontakte knüpfen'.
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Write a sentence about a loose connection (Wackelkontakt).
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Translate: 'He is very sociable.'
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Write a sentence using 'Kontakt aufnehmen'.
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Translate: 'We are in close contact.'
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Write a sentence about eye contact.
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Translate: 'I have no contact with my neighbors.'
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Write a sentence using 'Kontaktperson'.
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Translate: 'The contact was interrupted.'
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Write a sentence about contact lenses.
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Translate: 'She broke off all contact.'
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Write a sentence using 'soziale Kontakte'.
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Translate: 'Let's exchange contact info.'
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Write a sentence about maintaining contact.
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Translate: 'He avoids contact.'
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Write a sentence using 'Kontaktformular'.
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Say: 'Ich habe einen Kontakt.'
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Say: 'Wir bleiben in Kontakt.'
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Say: 'Hast du meine Kontaktdaten?'
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Say: 'Ich möchte Kontakt aufnehmen.'
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Say: 'Lass uns Kontakte knüpfen.'
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Say: 'Er hat einen Wackelkontakt.'
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Say: 'Ich habe den Kontakt verloren.'
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Say: 'Sie ist sehr kontaktfreudig.'
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Say: 'Halten Sie Augenkontakt.'
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Say: 'Wer ist die Kontaktperson?'
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Say: 'Ich pflege meine Kontakte.'
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Say: 'Treten Sie mit uns in Kontakt.'
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Say: 'Ich habe keinen Kontakt zu ihm.'
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Say: 'Das ist ein wichtiger Kontakt.'
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Say: 'Wir tauschen Kontakte aus.'
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Say: 'Die Kontaktlinsen sind neu.'
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Say: 'Er hat den Kontakt abgebrochen.'
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Say: 'Vermeiden Sie Hautkontakt.'
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Say: 'Ich suche den Kontakt zu dir.'
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Say: 'Wir sind in engem Kontakt.'
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Listen and identify the word: 'Wir müssen in Kontakt bleiben.'
Listen and identify the word: 'Hast du seine Kontaktdaten?'
Listen and identify the word: 'Er knüpft gerne Kontakte.'
Listen and identify the word: 'Das ist ein Wackelkontakt.'
Listen and identify the word: 'Ich habe den Kontakt verloren.'
Listen and identify the word: 'Sie ist kontaktfreudig.'
Listen and identify the word: 'Wer ist die Kontaktperson?'
Listen and identify the word: 'Bitte Augenkontakt halten.'
Listen and identify the word: 'Ich trage Kontaktlinsen.'
Listen and identify the word: 'Kein Kontakt möglich.'
Listen and identify the word: 'Kontaktanzeigen sind altmodisch.'
Listen and identify the word: 'Vermeiden Sie Kontakt.'
Listen and identify the word: 'In Kontakt treten.'
Listen and identify the word: 'Soziale Kontakte pflegen.'
Listen and identify the word: 'Erster Kontakt.'
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Summary
The word <mark class='bg-emerald-200 dark:bg-emerald-800 px-0.5 rounded'>der Kontakt</mark> is the standard German term for any form of connection. To sound natural, use 'Kontakt zu' for people and 'in Kontakt bleiben' for staying in touch. Example: 'Ich halte den Kontakt zu meiner Familie.'
- Der Kontakt is a masculine noun meaning 'contact' or 'connection'.
- It is used for social networking, physical touch, and electrical connections.
- Common phrases include 'in Kontakt bleiben' and 'Kontakt aufnehmen'.
- The plural form is 'die Kontakte', and it often takes the preposition 'zu'.
Preposition Choice
Use 'zu' for people you know personally and 'mit' for companies or formal entities.
Networking
Learn the phrase 'Kontakte knüpfen' to describe meeting people at events.
Endings
Make sure to pronounce the 't' at the end of 'Kontakt' clearly to avoid sounding like 'Kontak'.
Privacy
Germans value privacy; 'Kontakt aufnehmen' should be done respectfully.
Related Content
More communication words
Ablehnung
A2Rejection or refusal.
abonnieren
B1to subscribe, to sign up for
Absage
B1A cancellation or refusal.
absagen
A2to cancel, call off
Abschied
A2The act of saying goodbye.
Absender
A1A person who sends something, especially a letter or parcel.
Achtung
A2Used to draw attention or warn of danger.
Ähnlichkeit
A2A similarity.
Akzent
A2An accent.
anbieten
A1To present something for someone to accept or consider; to offer.