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A2 noun #3,000 most common 7 min read

die Verabredung

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips die Verabredung in 30 Seconds
Explanation die Verabredung in your Level:
At the A1 level, you learn that 'die Verabredung' means a meeting with a friend. You use it in very simple sentences like 'Ich habe eine Verabredung.' You learn that it is a feminine noun. You might use it to talk about meeting someone for coffee or at the cinema. The focus is on the basic idea of having plans. You learn the difference between 'Termin' (doctor) and 'Verabredung' (friend). You also learn the phrase 'Ich bin verabredet' which means 'I have plans'. It is one of the first words you use to organize your social life in German. You learn to combine it with time, like 'Verabredung um 5 Uhr'.
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At the A2 level, you start using 'die Verabredung' with more verbs and prepositions. You learn to say 'Ich habe eine Verabredung mit...' and use the dative case. You also learn the reflexive verb 'sich verabreden'. You can now explain why you can't come to a party: 'Ich kann nicht, ich habe eine Verabredung zum Essen.' You understand that this word is for social things. You begin to use compound words like 'Kaffeeverabredung'. You also learn how to ask others: 'Hast du heute eine Verabredung?' Your sentences become longer and you can specify the location and the person more clearly.
At the B1 level, you use 'die Verabredung' in more complex social interactions. You can talk about making, keeping, or breaking arrangements. You use verbs like 'einhalten' (to keep) or 'absagen' (to cancel). You understand the social importance of a 'Verabredung' in German culture. You can discuss the nuances between 'ein Treffen' and 'eine Verabredung'. You might use it in a professional context to describe a lunch meeting with a colleague. You also learn to use it in the past tense: 'Wir waren verabredet, aber er kam nicht.' You can handle more abstract discussions about social commitments and reliability.
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At the B2 level, you use 'die Verabredung' with a wider range of adjectives and in more formal written contexts. You might write about 'verbindliche Verabredungen' (binding agreements) in an essay about social norms. You understand idiomatic expressions and can use the word to describe political or informal group agreements. You are comfortable using the word in various registers, from very casual to slightly formal. You can also distinguish it from 'Abmachung' or 'Vereinbarung'. You use it to describe complex social dynamics, such as 'geheime Verabredungen' or 'kurzfristige Verabredungen'.
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At the C1 level, you appreciate the subtle connotations of 'die Verabredung' in literature and high-level discourse. You can analyze how the word is used to build social tension in a story. You use it to discuss societal trends, such as the 'Unverbindlichkeit von Verabredungen' (the lack of commitment in modern arrangements). You can use the word in sophisticated sentence structures, incorporating it into relative clauses and passive constructions. You understand its role in 'Absprachen' within organizational structures. Your vocabulary around this concept is nuanced, allowing you to choose between 'Stelldichein', 'Zusammenkunft', and 'Verabredung' with precision.
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At the C2 level, you have a near-native grasp of 'die Verabredung'. You can use it in philosophical discussions about the nature of human interaction and social contracts. You understand historical uses of the word and how its meaning has shifted over centuries. You can use it with absolute precision in any context, whether legal, literary, or colloquial. You can play with the word's connotations in creative writing or rhetoric. You are aware of regional variations and the most subtle differences between it and its synonyms. You can discuss the etymological roots and the psychological implications of 'sich verabreden' in German society.
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Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

die Verabredung in 30 Seconds

  • A 'Verabredung' is a social appointment or date with friends, family, or partners, emphasizing a mutual agreement to meet.
  • It is strictly social; use 'Termin' for professional or official appointments like doctors, banks, or business meetings.
  • The word is feminine (die) and is often used with the reflexive verb 'sich verabreden' to describe the act of planning.
  • Cultural importance: In Germany, a 'Verabredung' is seen as a firm commitment, and punctuality is highly expected.

The German noun die Verabredung is a fundamental concept in social linguistics, primarily referring to an agreed-upon meeting or arrangement between two or more people. Unlike its more formal counterpart, der Termin, which typically denotes a professional or medical appointment, a Verabredung usually carries a connotation of social pleasure, friendship, or romantic intent. At its core, it represents a mutual commitment to spend time together at a specific place and time. The word is derived from the verb sich verabreden (to make an appointment/date), which combines the prefix ver- (often indicating a change or agreement) with abreden (to talk off/agree). In a cultural sense, Germans value the reliability of a Verabredung; once made, it is considered a firm commitment rather than a vague suggestion. This distinction is crucial for learners to understand: saying 'Wir müssen uns mal treffen' (We should meet sometime) is a vague wish, whereas 'Ich habe eine Verabredung' implies a fixed entry in one's calendar.

Grammatical Gender
Feminine (die), plural: die Verabredungen.
Social Context
Used for coffee dates, dinner with friends, or romantic encounters.
Semantic Nuance
Implies a pre-arranged agreement, not a chance meeting.

"Ich kann heute Abend leider nicht kommen, ich habe schon eine Verabredung mit meiner Schwester zum Abendessen."

— Example of social usage

In the modern digital age, the term has expanded slightly but remains rooted in the physical or intentional digital meeting. While younger generations might use the English loanword 'Date' specifically for romantic purposes, Verabredung remains the standard, more versatile term for any planned social interaction. It covers everything from a playdate for children (Spieleverabredung) to a long-planned meeting between old colleagues. The strength of the word lies in its 'agreement' component; it is a social contract. If you break a Verabredung without a good reason, it is often seen as more personally offensive than missing a professional Termin, as it involves a personal bond.

"Unsere Verabredung steht noch, oder?" (Our meeting is still on, right?)

Etymological Root
From 'reden' (to speak) + 'ab' (off/down), signifying something settled through speech.

"Sie hatte eine geheime Verabredung im Park."

Using die Verabredung correctly requires understanding its collocations and the verbs it typically pairs with. The most common verb is haben (to have). When you say 'Ich habe eine Verabredung,' you are stating that you are busy at a certain time because of a prior agreement. To initiate the process, you use the reflexive verb sich verabreden. For example, 'Wir haben uns für 19 Uhr verabredet' (We have arranged to meet at 7 PM). Note the use of the preposition mit (with) followed by the dative case for the person, and zu (to/for) or für (for) for the purpose or time.

Common Verb Pairings
treffen (to meet), einhalten (to keep/honor), absagen (to cancel), verschieben (to postpone).

"Ich muss unsere Verabredung leider absagen, da ich krank geworden bin."

In terms of sentence structure, Verabredung often acts as the direct object. However, it can also be part of prepositional phrases. For instance, 'Nach unserer Verabredung bin ich direkt nach Hause gegangen' (After our meeting, I went straight home). When describing the nature of the meeting, adjectives come into play: eine feste Verabredung (a firm arrangement), eine unverbindliche Verabredung (a non-binding/loose arrangement), or eine romantische Verabredung (a romantic date). It is important to remember that while 'Date' is common in Denglish, Verabredung is the safer, more formal, and more versatile choice in all age groups.

"Hast du heute eine Verabredung mit deinem neuen Freund?"

Prepositional Usage
Eine Verabredung zum Essen (for dinner), im Café (in the cafe), um acht Uhr (at 8 o'clock).

You will encounter die Verabredung in a variety of everyday situations. In a domestic setting, family members might ask each other about their plans for the day: 'Hast du heute irgendwelche Verabredungen?' In the workplace, while Termin is king for meetings, a Verabredung might be mentioned when colleagues plan to go for lunch together. It’s the word of choice in literature and film to describe the anticipation of a meeting, whether it's a spy meeting in a thriller or a first date in a rom-com. On social media and messaging apps like WhatsApp, you'll see it shortened or used in phrases like 'Was ist mit unserer Verabredung?' when someone is running late.

"Tut mir leid, ich bin schon verabredet." (Sorry, I already have plans/am meeting someone.)

In news reports or more formal contexts, the word might appear when discussing political agreements or 'Absprachen', though Verabredung usually remains in the realm of the interpersonal. For example, a 'politische Verabredung' refers to an informal agreement between parties that isn't yet a formal treaty. In schools, parents talk about 'Spieleverabredungen' (playdates) for their children, which is a very common compound noun. Essentially, anywhere people are coordinating their social lives, this word is the linguistic anchor.

"Wir hatten eine Verabredung für das Kino, aber er ist nicht aufgetaucht."

The most frequent mistake learners make is the confusion between Verabredung and Termin. English speakers often use 'appointment' for everything, but in German, the distinction is sharp. If you tell your boss you have a 'Verabredung' at 10 AM, they will assume you are meeting a friend for coffee, which might seem unprofessional. Conversely, telling a friend you have a 'Termin' with them sounds cold and overly bureaucratic, as if they are just a slot in your business ledger. Another common error is using 'Date' for every social meeting. While 'Date' is used in German, it is strictly for romantic contexts. Using it for a meeting with your grandmother would be very confusing!

"Falsch: Ich habe eine Verabredung beim Zahnarzt." (Correct: Termin)

Grammatically, learners often forget that sich verabreden is reflexive. Saying 'Ich habe ihn verabredet' is incorrect; it should be 'Ich habe mich mit ihm verabredet'. Also, pay attention to the prepositions. You are verabredet zu something (an activity) or mit someone. Mixing these up—like 'Verabredung bei dem Kino' instead of 'beim' or 'vor dem'—is a common A2/B1 level slip. Lastly, remember that Verabredung is the noun; don't confuse it with the adjective verabredet in sentences like 'Ich bin verabredet'.

"Falsch: Wir haben ein Date zum Fußballspielen." (Correct: Verabredung)

Understanding the synonyms and related terms for die Verabredung helps in choosing the right register. Das Treffen is perhaps the closest synonym. It is more general and can refer to any meeting, planned or unplanned. While every Verabredung results in a Treffen, not every Treffen was a Verabredung. Then there is die Begegnung, which usually implies a chance encounter or a deep, meaningful meeting, often used in more literary contexts. Die Abmachung is another related word, but it focuses more on the 'deal' or 'agreement' aspect rather than the social act of meeting.

Der Termin
Professional, official, or medical appointment.
Das Date
Specifically romantic, borrowed from English.
Die Zusammenkunft
A formal gathering or assembly of people.

For more informal settings, you might hear das Stelldichein, though this is quite old-fashioned and often used ironically today to mean a secret romantic meeting. In business, you might hear die Absprache, which refers to a verbal agreement or coordination between colleagues. Choosing between these depends on the 'vibe' of the meeting. If it's casual and pre-planned, stick with Verabredung. If it's for work, use Termin or Besprechung. If you just happened to see someone on the street, it was a zufälliges Treffen.

"Es war kein Zufall, es war eine feste Abmachung."

How Formal Is It?

Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Reflexive verbs (sich verabreden)

Dative case after 'mit'

Prepositions of time (um, am)

Noun-verb combinations

Genitive case for formal 'Verabredung von...'

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Examples by Level

1

Ich habe eine Verabredung.

I have an appointment/date.

Simple subject-verb-object.

2

Die Verabredung ist um acht Uhr.

The meeting is at eight o'clock.

Using 'um' for time.

3

Hast du eine Verabredung?

Do you have a date/meeting?

Question form.

4

Meine Verabredung ist im Café.

My meeting is in the cafe.

Preposition 'im' (in dem).

5

Ich bin heute verabredet.

I have plans today.

Adjectival use of the participle.

6

Das ist eine Verabredung mit Maria.

That is a meeting with Maria.

Preposition 'mit' + Dative.

7

Keine Zeit, ich habe eine Verabredung.

No time, I have a meeting.

Common short phrase.

8

Wir haben eine Verabredung zum Kino.

We have an arrangement for the cinema.

Preposition 'zum' (zu dem).

1

Ich verabrede mich mit meinen Freunden.

I am making plans with my friends.

Reflexive verb 'sich verabreden'.

2

Wir haben eine Verabredung zum Mittagessen.

We have an arrangement for lunch.

Compound-like structure 'zum Mittagessen'.

3

Tut mir leid, ich muss unsere Verabredung absagen.

I'm sorry, I have to cancel our meeting.

Verb 'absagen' (to cancel).

4

Können wir die Verabredung auf morgen verschieben?

Can we postpone the meeting to tomorrow?

Verb 'verschieben' (to postpone).

5

Sie hat eine wichtige Verabredung in der Stadt.

She has an important meeting in the city.

Adjective 'wichtig' (important).

6

Bist du am Samstag schon verabredet?

Are you already busy on Saturday?

Participle 'verabredet' as a predicate adjective.

7

Ich freue mich auf unsere Verabredung.

I am looking forward to our meeting.

Verb 'sich freuen auf' + Accusative.

8

Wir hatten eine Verabredung vor dem Museum.

We had a meeting in front of the museum.

Preposition 'vor' + Dative (location).

1

Es ist unhöflich, eine Verabredung kurzfristig abzusagen.

It is rude to cancel a meeting at short notice.

Infinitive clause with 'zu'.

2

Trotz der Verabredung ist er nicht gekommen.

Despite the arrangement, he didn't come.

Preposition 'trotz' + Genitive.

3

Ich habe eine feste Verabredung, die ich nicht brechen möchte.

I have a firm arrangement that I don't want to break.

Relative clause.

4

Wir sollten eine neue Verabredung treffen.

We should make a new arrangement.

Phrase 'eine Verabredung treffen'.

5

Sie haben sich für nächsten Sonntag verabredet.

They have arranged to meet next Sunday.

Perfect tense of reflexive verb.

6

Die Verabredung war für beide Seiten sehr angenehm.

The meeting was very pleasant for both sides.

Adjective 'angenehm'.

7

Er vergaß unsere Verabredung völlig.

He completely forgot our meeting.

Simple past 'vergaß'.

8

Dank unserer Verabredung haben wir uns endlich wiedergesehen.

Thanks to our meeting, we finally saw each other again.

Preposition 'dank' + Genitive/Dative.

1

Eine Verabredung einzuhalten, ist eine Frage des Respekts.

Keeping an arrangement is a matter of respect.

Substantivized infinitive.

2

Die informelle Verabredung führte schließlich zu einem Vertrag.

The informal arrangement eventually led to a contract.

Adjective 'informell'.

3

Wir müssen die Details unserer Verabredung noch klären.

We still need to clarify the details of our arrangement.

Modal verb 'müssen'.

4

Es gab eine geheime Verabredung zwischen den beiden Politikern.

There was a secret arrangement between the two politicians.

Adjective 'geheim'.

5

Die Verabredung zum Stammtisch findet jeden ersten Freitag statt.

The regular's table meeting takes place every first Friday.

Separable verb 'stattfinden'.

6

Ich bin leider schon anderweitig verabredet.

Unfortunately, I already have other plans.

Adverb 'anderweitig'.

7

Ihre Verabredung war rein platonischer Natur.

Their meeting was of a purely platonic nature.

Genitive phrase 'platonischer Natur'.

8

Man sollte Verabredungen nicht als bloße Optionen betrachten.

One should not view arrangements as mere options.

Passive-like 'man' construction.

1

Die Verbindlichkeit von Verabredungen scheint in der heutigen Zeit abzunehmen.

The binding nature of arrangements seems to be decreasing nowadays.

Genitive 'von Verabredungen'.

2

Er kam seiner Verabredung trotz widriger Umstände nach.

He fulfilled his arrangement despite adverse circumstances.

Verb 'nachkommen' + Dative.

3

Die Verabredung zur Zusammenarbeit wurde per Handschlag besiegelt.

The arrangement for cooperation was sealed with a handshake.

Passive voice 'wurde besiegelt'.

4

Es handelte sich um eine stillschweigende Verabredung.

It was a tacit arrangement.

Fixed expression 'stillschweigende Verabredung'.

5

In der Literatur dient die Verabredung oft als Wendepunkt der Handlung.

In literature, the meeting often serves as a turning point in the plot.

Prepositional object 'als Wendepunkt'.

6

Die terminliche Verabredung kollidierte mit seinen beruflichen Verpflichtungen.

The scheduled arrangement collided with his professional obligations.

Verb 'kollidieren'.

7

Eine Verabredung zu treffen, erfordert heutzutage oft langwierige Abstimmungsprozesse.

Making an arrangement nowadays often requires lengthy coordination processes.

Infinitive phrase as subject.

8

Die Verabredung war lediglich ein Vorwand für etwas anderes.

The meeting was merely a pretext for something else.

Noun 'Vorwand'.

1

Die philosophische Dimension einer Verabredung liegt in der gegenseitigen Anerkennung von Zeit.

The philosophical dimension of an arrangement lies in the mutual recognition of time.

Complex genitive structure.

2

Inmitten des diplomatischen Parketts war diese Verabredung von höchster Brisanz.

Amidst the diplomatic floor, this arrangement was of the highest explosiveness.

Metaphorical usage.

3

Die Verabredung zur Güte war ein juristischer Meilenstein.

The arrangement for settlement was a legal milestone.

Legal terminology.

4

Es bedarf einer klaren Verabredung, um solche Missverständnisse zu vermeiden.

It requires a clear arrangement to avoid such misunderstandings.

Verb 'bedürfen' + Genitive.

5

Die Verabredung fungierte als Katalysator für die darauffolgenden Ereignisse.

The meeting functioned as a catalyst for the subsequent events.

Scientific metaphor.

6

Ihre Verabredung war durch eine tiefe, fast mystische Verbundenheit geprägt.

Their meeting was characterized by a deep, almost mystical connection.

Passive voice with 'durch'.

7

Die Verabredung zur Unterlassung wurde notariell beglaubigt.

The agreement to desist was notarized.

Formal legal context.

8

Jede Verabredung ist letztlich ein Versprechen auf die Zukunft.

Every arrangement is ultimately a promise for the future.

Abstract philosophical statement.

Common Collocations

eine feste Verabredung
eine Verabredung einhalten
eine Verabredung absagen
eine Verabredung verschieben
eine Verabredung treffen
eine geheime Verabredung
eine unverbindliche Verabredung
eine Verabredung zum Essen
eine Verabredung haben
kurzfristige Verabredung

Common Phrases

Ich bin verabredet.
Hast du heute eine Verabredung?
Unsere Verabredung steht.
Sich mit jemandem verabreden.
Eine Verabredung zum Kaffee.
Ich muss leider absagen.
Wann ist unsere Verabredung?
Eine Verabredung fürs Kino.
Wir hatten eine Verabredung.
Eine spontane Verabredung.

Often Confused With

die Verabredung vs Termin

die Verabredung vs Date

die Verabredung vs Treffen

Idioms & Expressions

"Eine Verabredung mit dem Schicksal haben (To have a date with destiny)"
"Fest verabredet sein (To have a firm commitment)"
"Sich um eine Verabredung drücken (To dodge a meeting)"
"Eine Verabredung platzen lassen (To stand someone up/let a meeting fail)"
"Hinter verschlossenen Türen verabredet (Agreed behind closed doors)"
"Wie verabredet (As agreed)"
"Nach Verabredung (By arrangement)"
"Eine Verabredung unter Freunden (An agreement among friends)"
"Auf eine Verabredung pochen (To insist on a meeting)"
"Eine Verabredung im Geheimen (A secret meeting)"

Easily Confused

die Verabredung vs

die Verabredung vs

die Verabredung vs

die Verabredung vs

die Verabredung vs

Sentence Patterns

Word Family

Related

reden, die Rede, das Gerede
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How to Use It

verb form

Sich verabreden is the action; Verabredung is the result.

distinction

Verabredung = Social; Termin = Official.

Common Mistakes
  • Using 'Verabredung' for a doctor's appointment.
  • Forgetting the reflexive pronoun in 'sich verabreden'.
  • Using 'Date' for a meeting with a family member.
  • Using the wrong preposition (e.g., 'Verabredung bei' instead of 'mit').
  • Treating a 'Verabredung' as a loose suggestion rather than a firm plan.

Tips

Punctuality

Always be on time for a Verabredung. It shows you respect the other person's time.

Gender

Remember it's feminine: DIE Verabredung. All nouns ending in -ung are feminine.

Termin vs Verabredung

Use 'Termin' for the dentist, 'Verabredung' for your best friend.

Natural Sound

Say 'Ich bin verabredet' instead of 'Ich habe eine Verabredung' to sound more like a native.

Compounds

You can make compounds like 'Kaffeeverabredung' or 'Kino-Verabredung'.

Firmness

In Germany, a Verabredung is usually a firm plan, not a 'maybe'.

Root Word

Connect it to 'reden' (to talk). You talk to make the plan.

Context

If you hear 'verabredet', look for the preposition 'mit' or 'zu' to understand the context.

Reflexive

Practice 'Ich verabrede MICH'. Don't forget the reflexive pronoun.

Destiny

The phrase 'Verabredung mit dem Schicksal' is a common poetic expression.

Memorize It

Word Origin

Germanic

Cultural Context

Often done well in advance.

Verabredung is social, Termin is professional.

High importance.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"Hast du heute Abend schon eine Verabredung?"

"Wollen wir eine Verabredung zum Essen treffen?"

"Wann passt dir unsere nächste Verabredung?"

"Bist du am Wochenende schon verabredet?"

"Wie war deine Verabredung gestern?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe deine schönste Verabredung.

Warum ist es wichtig, Verabredungen einzuhalten?

Mit wem würdest du dich gerne mal verabreden?

Was machst du, wenn du eine Verabredung absagen musst?

Planst du deine Verabredungen lieber spontan oder im Voraus?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No, it's better to use 'Termin' or 'Besprechung' for professional contexts.

Yes, but only for romantic contexts. For friends, use 'Verabredung'.

The plural is 'die Verabredungen'.

You can say 'Ich habe eine Verabredung' or 'Ich habe ein Date' (if romantic).

Yes, when you are making an agreement to meet someone.

Use 'zu', e.g., 'Verabredung zum Essen'.

Use 'mit', e.g., 'Verabredung mit Peter'.

Yes, Germans value reliability, so cancel only if necessary and as early as possible.

No, that is always a 'Termin'.

You can say: 'Wollen wir uns verabreden?'

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