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B1 verb #9,000 most common 11 min read

künden

Top 9,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips künden in 30 Seconds

Explanation künden in your Level:

At the A1 level, the word 'künden' (or its more common form 'kündigen') is something you might hear but rarely use yourself. You might learn it in the context of 'Ich kündige meinen Job' (I am quitting my job) as a basic sentence pattern. At this stage, you should focus on the idea that this word means 'to stop working' or 'to end a contract'. You don't need to worry about the dative case or the poetic meanings yet. Just remember that it is a regular verb and it sounds a bit like 'Kunde' (customer), but it is an action. You might see it on a button on a website when you want to stop a subscription. It is a 'power word' for ending things. If you want to say you are leaving a job, 'aufhören' is often easier for A1 learners, but 'künden' is the 'official' word you will see in books. You should also know that in Germany, you usually have to write a letter to 'künden' something; you can't just say it. This cultural fact helps you remember that 'künden' is a formal action.

By A2, you are starting to deal with more 'life admin' in German. You will need 'künden' to talk about your mobile phone contract or your apartment. You should learn the phrase 'den Vertrag künden' (to terminate the contract). At this level, you should also be aware of the past tense: 'Ich habe gekündet'. You will start to see the difference between 'künden' (the act of giving notice) and 'gehen' (just going). You might also encounter the word in simple news stories about companies letting people go. It is important at A2 to start distinguishing between the accusative object (what you are ending) and the person. For example, 'Ich künde die Wohnung' (I am giving up the apartment). You are also expected to know that there is usually a 'Frist' (deadline/notice period) involved. If you miss the Frist, you cannot künden. This makes the word very important for daily life in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland.

At the B1 level, you are expected to use 'künden' (and 'kündigen') accurately in professional and personal contexts. You should understand the nuance of the dative case: 'jemandem künden' (to dismiss someone). You should be able to write a basic resignation letter using this verb. B1 learners should also understand the difference between 'fristgerecht künden' (to resign with proper notice) and 'fristlos künden' (to resign/dismiss without notice). This level requires a deeper understanding of the social implications—that 'künden' is a formal, legal step. You should also be able to discuss the reasons for künden, such as 'schlechte Bezahlung' (bad pay) or 'Umzug' (moving). You will also start to see the word in more abstract contexts, like 'die Freundschaft künden'. At B1, you are no longer just 'stopping' something; you are 'terminating an obligation'. You should also be comfortable with the passive voice: 'Ihm wurde gekündet' (He was dismissed).

At B2, you should have a command of the stylistic differences between 'künden' and 'kündigen'. You will recognize that 'künden' can have a slightly more elevated or older feel. You should be able to navigate complex discussions about labor law (Arbeitsrecht) where 'künden' appears. You will understand terms like 'Kündigungsschutz' (protection against dismissal) and 'Kündigungsgrund' (reason for dismissal). B2 speakers should also be aware of the poetic or literary use of 'künden' as 'to herald' or 'to proclaim', often with the preposition 'von'. For example, 'Die Architektur kündet vom Reichtum der Stadt' (The architecture speaks of the city's wealth). You should be able to use the word in formal debates about the economy, discussing why companies are forced to 'künden' employees. Your use of the verb should be precise, following the correct cases and prepositions without hesitation.

C1 learners should appreciate the etymological depth of 'künden'. You understand that it comes from the same root as 'kund' (known) and 'kennen' (to know), making the act of künden a 'making known' of one's intent. You can use the word in high-level academic or legal writing. You are sensitive to the rhetorical effect of using the shorter 'künden' instead of 'kündigen' to evoke a more classical or decisive tone. You can discuss the philosophical implications of 'der Welt die Freundschaft künden' (withdrawing from the world). In a business context, you can use 'künden' to describe the strategic termination of long-term partnerships or treaties. You are also aware of the regional variations where 'künden' might be more common (such as in some Swiss German contexts) versus northern Germany. Your vocabulary is rich enough to use 'künden' as a stylistic choice to vary your prose.

At the C2 level, 'künden' is a tool for professional-grade linguistic precision. You can analyze the use of 'künden' in 18th and 19th-century literature (like Goethe or Schiller) where it frequently means 'to announce' or 'to bear witness'. You can seamlessly switch between the modern administrative meaning of dismissal and the poetic meaning of proclamation. You understand the legal minutiae of how a 'Kündigung' (the noun) must be structured to be valid under the 'Bürgerliches Gesetzbuch' (BGB). You can use the word in complex metaphorical constructions, perhaps in a speech or a high-level editorial. For a C2 speaker, 'künden' is not just a verb; it is a word that carries the history of German legal and literary thought. You are capable of explaining these nuances to others and using the word to convey authority, finality, or even a sense of historical continuity.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

künden in 30 Seconds

Künden is the formal German verb for resigning from a job or terminating a legal contract.
It can also mean to dismiss an employee, often used with the dative case for the person.
In modern daily German, 'kündigen' is the more common functional equivalent for this word.
Beyond business, it has a poetic meaning of 'to herald' or 'to bear witness to' something.

The German verb künden is a fascinating linguistic artifact that sits at the intersection of formal law, historical literature, and everyday administrative necessity. While the modern speaker is more likely to encounter the derivative kündigen in daily conversation, the root form künden carries a weight of finality and official proclamation. In the context of employment and contractual obligations, to künden means to formally declare the end of a relationship, whether that is a worker leaving their post or an employer dismissing a staff member. It is not merely 'quitting' in a casual sense; it is the act of giving notice, a procedural step that triggers a cascade of legal and social transitions.

The Legal Act: In German law, the act of künden (or more commonly kündigen) requires a written declaration. It represents the unilateral exercise of a right to terminate a continuing obligation. When an employee decides to künden, they are asserting their professional autonomy, whereas when an employer chooses to künden an employee, it is often a somber administrative action governed by strict protection laws.

Nach reiflicher Überlegung entschied er sich, seine Stelle zu künden und eine neue Herausforderung zu suchen.

Beyond the office, the word resonates in the realm of housing and services. To künden an apartment lease is a major life event in Germany, often requiring three months' notice. This period, known as the Kündigungsfrist, is central to the German concept of social stability. The word thus encapsulates a transition from one state of being to another. The nuance of 'künden' also touches upon 'bearing witness' or 'proclaiming' in a poetic sense, though when used regarding jobs, the 'termination' meaning is paramount. It suggests a formal announcement of a change.

The Emotional Weight: For a German speaker, hearing that someone has been 'gekündet' (dismissed) or has 'gekündet' (resigned) evokes a specific set of bureaucratic images: the registered letter (Einschreiben), the visit to the employment agency (Arbeitsagentur), and the final handshake. It is a word of closure.

Der Vermieter kann das Mietverhältnis nur unter bestimmten Bedingungen künden.

Sie hat ihren Vertrag fristgerecht gekündet.

Historical Context: Historically, 'künden' meant to make known or to announce. This is why when you 'künden' a contract, you are literally 'making known' your intention to end it. This etymological root explains why the word feels more official than simply 'stopping' something.

Es ist schwer, jemandem die Freundschaft zu künden.

In summary, künden is a word of transition, legality, and formal announcement. It marks the end of one chapter and, by necessity, the beginning of another.

Using künden correctly requires an understanding of its grammatical valency and the specific contexts where it thrives. In its primary B1-level usage of resignation or dismissal, it is most frequently used with a direct object (the contract or the position) or with a dative object (the person being dismissed).

Transitive Use: Terminating an Agreement: When you terminate a contract, 'künden' takes the accusative case. For example, 'den Vertrag künden' (to terminate the contract). This is the most common way to use the word in business and administrative contexts. It implies a formal procedure followed by a notification period.

Ich muss mein Fitnessstudio-Abonnement künden, da ich umziehe.

Dative Use: Dismissing a Person: If an employer is dismissing an employee, the person being dismissed is often put in the dative case: 'jemandem künden'. This construction emphasizes the communication of the dismissal to the individual. 'Der Chef kündete dem Mitarbeiter' (The boss dismissed the employee).

Wegen der Wirtschaftskrise musste die Firma vielen Arbeitnehmern künden.

Reflexive Potential: While not strictly reflexive, the phrase 'selbst künden' (to resign oneself) is used to distinguish between being fired and quitting. 'Er hat selbst gekündet' means he initiated the departure.

Hast du schon gekündet, oder wartest du noch auf das neue Angebot?

Man kann nicht einfach fristlos künden, ohne einen triftigen Grund zu haben.

Common Adverbial Pairings: You will often see 'künden' paired with 'fristgerecht' (within the notice period) or 'fristlos' (without notice/immediately). These adverbs define the legality of the act.

Die Bank hat ihm den Kredit gekündet.

Mastering 'künden' in sentences is about mastering the objects it governs. Whether it is a contract, a person, or a service, the verb acts as the definitive axe that severs the tie.

In the vibrant soundscape of modern Germany, the word künden (and its sibling kündigen) is ubiquitous yet often carries a stressful undertone. You will hear it in the hushed conversations of office breakrooms where colleagues whisper about who might be next to leave. You will hear it in the stern, echoing halls of the Arbeitsgericht (labor court) where disputes over dismissals are settled.

In the Workplace: HR managers are the primary users of this term. When they say 'Wir müssen ihm künden,' it is a decision of significant financial and human impact. Conversely, when an employee says 'Ich werde künden,' it is often a moment of personal liberation or high tension.

Hör mal, hat Lukas wirklich gekündet? Er war doch erst zwei Monate hier.

In Consumer Life: Germany is a land of contracts—internet, mobile phones, insurance, and gym memberships. Consequently, 'künden' is a word every consumer must know. Customer service hotlines are filled with people trying to 'künden' their subscriptions before the automatic renewal kicks in.

Vergiss nicht, die Versicherung rechtzeitig zu künden, sonst verlängert sie sich um ein Jahr.

In Literature and High Register: The specific form 'künden' (without the -ig) is often found in poetry or older literature to mean 'to proclaim' or 'to tell of'. While this is different from 'dismissing', the shared root gives the dismissal a sense of 'solemn announcement'.

Die Glocken künden den Feierabend an.

Sein Blick kündete von großem Schmerz.

In Social Relationships: Metaphorically, one can 'künden die Freundschaft' (terminate a friendship). This is a very dramatic way of saying you are done with someone. It implies a formal, irreversible break.

Nach dem Vertrauensbruch hat sie ihm die Freundschaft gekündet.

Whether it's a dry legal document or a heated personal moment, 'künden' is the word of the final word.

Navigating the usage of künden is a minefield for the uninitiated, primarily because of its close resemblance to other words and its slightly archaic flavor compared to its more common cousin kündigen.

Confusion with 'Kunden': The most frequent mistake for beginners is confusing the verb 'künden' with the plural noun 'Kunden' (customers). While they look similar, their pronunciation and grammatical roles are entirely different. 'Ich künde' (I resign) vs. 'Die Kunden' (The customers). Misusing these can lead to hilarious or confusing sentences like 'I am dismissing the customers' when you meant 'I am resigning'.

Falsch: Ich habe meine Kunden bei der Arbeit. (I have my customers at work.) Richtig: Ich habe meine Stelle gekündet.

The 'Künden' vs. 'Kündigen' Dilemma: Technically, 'künden' is the root, but in modern German, 'kündigen' is the standard verb for resigning or dismissing. Many learners use 'künden' in a casual office setting, which might sound overly poetic or old-fashioned. While not 'wrong', 'kündigen' is 99% of what you'll actually use. Using 'künden' when you mean 'to announce' (verkünden) is also a common slip.

Incorrect Case Usage: Learners often struggle with whether to use the accusative or dative. If you are ending a contract, use the accusative (den Vertrag). If you are telling a person they are fired, use the dative (dem Mitarbeiter). Mixing these up can change the meaning or simply sound ungrammatical.

Falsch: Ich künde der Vertrag. Richtig: Ich künde den Vertrag.

Falsch: Er kündet den Mitarbeiter. Richtig: Er kündet dem Mitarbeiter.

Confusion with 'Verkünden': 'Verkünden' means to announce something publicly (like a verdict or a law). While 'künden' can mean to herald, using it for 'to resign' is a specific subset. Don't use 'künden' if you just want to announce that you're going to a party!

Der Richter verkündete das Urteil (not kündete).

By avoiding these pitfalls, you'll sound much more like a native speaker who understands the legal and social nuances of German life.

In German, as in English, there are many ways to say you are leaving a job or letting someone go. The choice of word often depends on the level of formality and who initiated the break.

Kündigen vs. Künden: 'Kündigen' is the standard, everyday version. 'Künden' is either the archaic root or used in very specific high-register contexts. In 99% of B1 scenarios, 'kündigen' is your best friend. They both mean to resign or dismiss.

Ich habe gekündigt. (Standard) vs. Ich habe gekündet. (Formal/Dated)

Entlassen (To Dismiss/Lay Off): While 'künden' focuses on the act of giving notice, 'entlassen' focuses on the act of letting the person go. It is often used for mass layoffs or when the employer is the active party. It sounds a bit more final and less 'contractual' than künden.

Die Firma musste 100 Mitarbeiter entlassen.

Aufhören (To Stop/Quit): 'Aufhören' is very general. You can 'aufhören' to smoke, or 'aufhören' at a job. It is less formal than 'künden' and doesn't necessarily imply the legal notice period. 'Ich höre nächsten Monat auf' (I'm stopping next month).

Er hat einfach aufgehört, ohne etwas zu sagen.

Beenden (To End/Terminate): 'Beenden' is often used for contracts or relationships in a neutral way. 'Das Arbeitsverhältnis beenden' (to end the employment relationship) is a common phrase in legal documents that serves as a synonym for 'künden'.

Wir haben den Vertrag im gegenseitigen Einvernehmen beendet.

Verkünden vs. Künden: As mentioned, 'verkünden' is for public announcements. If a king announces a new law, he 'verkündet' it. If a worker announces they are quitting, they 'künden'. Don't swap them!

Die Ergebnisse wurden gestern verkündet.

Choosing the right synonym is about understanding the power dynamics and the legal framework of the situation.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The word originally had nothing to do with losing a job; it was about spreading news. Only later did it become the specific term for 'making known' that you are ending a contract.

Pronunciation Guide

UK /ˈkʏndn̩/

US /ˈkʏndən/

The stress is on the first syllable: KÜN-den.

Rhymes With

Sünden gründen münden zünden finden (partial) winden (partial) binden (partial) schwinden (partial)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'ü' as 'u' (like 'koonden'), which sounds like 'Kunden' (customers).
Confusing the 'ü' with 'i' (like 'kinden').
Swallowing the 'd' too much.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Easy to recognize in text, but watch out for 'Kunden' (customers).

Writing 4/5

Requires correct case usage (Dative vs Accusative).

Speaking 4/5

The 'ü' sound and the distinction from 'kündigen' can be tricky.

Listening 3/5

Common in news and office talk, usually clear context.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

kennen kund Arbeit Vertrag Ende

Learn Next

entlassen beenden Frist Abfindung

Advanced

aufkündigen verkünden ankündigen Kündigungsschutzgesetz

Grammar to Know

Dative vs Accusative with Künden

Accusative for objects (den Vertrag), Dative for people (dem Mitarbeiter).

Weak Verb Conjugation

künden, kündete, hat gekündet.

Word Order with Modal Verbs

Ich muss den Vertrag künden. (Infinitive at the end).

Passive Voice with Dative

Mir wurde gekündet. (The dative remains dative in passive).

Compound Nouns

Kündigung + Frist = Kündigungsfrist.

Examples by Level

Ich muss meinen Job künden.

I must resign from my job.

Simple Subject + Verb + Object structure.

Kann ich den Vertrag künden?

Can I terminate the contract?

Modal verb 'kann' with infinitive at the end.

Er will künden.

He wants to resign.

Modal verb 'will' expressing intent.

Wir künden die Wohnung.

We are giving up the apartment.

Present tense, plural.

Sie hat gestern gekündet.

She resigned yesterday.

Perfect tense with 'hat' and 'gekündet'.

Nicht künden!

Don't resign!

Imperative-style warning.

Ich künde mein Abo.

I am canceling my subscription.

Direct object in accusative.

Warum willst du künden?

Why do you want to resign?

Question with 'warum'.

Ich habe den Vertrag fristgerecht gekündet.

I terminated the contract within the notice period.

Use of the adverb 'fristgerecht'.

Die Firma kündete dem Arbeiter.

The company dismissed the worker.

Dative object 'dem Arbeiter'.

Du musst drei Monate vorher künden.

You must give notice three months in advance.

Temporal adverbial 'drei Monate vorher'.

Er hat seine Stelle gekündet, weil er umzieht.

He resigned from his position because he is moving.

Subordinate clause starting with 'weil'.

Meine Bank hat mir das Konto gekündet.

My bank closed my account.

Dative 'mir' and accusative 'das Konto'.

Hast du die Versicherung schon gekündet?

Have you already canceled the insurance?

Perfect tense question.

Sie kündete, ohne einen neuen Job zu haben.

She resigned without having a new job.

Infinitiv mit zu.

Der Chef kündete ihm mündlich.

The boss dismissed him orally.

Adverb 'mündlich' (rarely legal in Germany).

Wegen der Krise musste das Unternehmen vielen Mitarbeitern künden.

Due to the crisis, the company had to dismiss many employees.

Preposition 'wegen' + genitive.

Ich künde hiermit mein Arbeitsverhältnis zum nächstmöglichen Termin.

I hereby terminate my employment at the earliest possible date.

Formal office German.

Man kann den Mietvertrag nicht so einfach künden.

You cannot terminate the rental agreement so easily.

Indefinite pronoun 'man'.

Er hat gekündet, um eine Weltreise zu machen.

He resigned in order to go on a world trip.

Final clause with 'um... zu'.

Die Zeitung kündete von den kommenden Veränderungen.

The newspaper heralded the coming changes.

Poetic/Literary use with 'von'.

Wenn du jetzt kündest, verlierst du deinen Bonus.

If you resign now, you will lose your bonus.

Conditional 'wenn' clause.

Sie hat fristlos gekündet, weil es Probleme gab.

She resigned without notice because there were problems.

Adverb 'fristlos'.

Dem Mieter wurde wegen Eigenbedarf gekündet.

The tenant was given notice due to personal use (by the owner).

Passive voice with dative.

Die wirtschaftliche Lage zwang den Vorstand, der Belegschaft zu künden.

The economic situation forced the board to dismiss the workforce.

Verb 'zwingen' with infinitive.

Ein Denkmal kündet von den Opfern des Krieges.

A monument bears witness to the victims of the war.

Elevated literary usage.

Es ist unzulässig, einer schwangeren Frau zu künden.

It is inadmissible to dismiss a pregnant woman.

Legal context 'unzulässig'.

Er kündete den Vertrag, da die Bedingungen nicht erfüllt wurden.

He terminated the contract since the conditions were not met.

Conjunction 'da' for cause.

Die Vögel künden bereits vom nahenden Frühling.

The birds are already heralding the approaching spring.

Metaphorical/Poetic usage.

Nach dem Skandal kündete der Aufsichtsrat dem Direktor.

After the scandal, the supervisory board dismissed the director.

Dative 'dem Direktor'.

Man sollte nie künden, bevor man etwas Neues unterschrieben hat.

One should never resign before having signed something new.

Temporal conjunction 'bevor'.

Die Glocken kündeten den Beginn der Zeremonie.

The bells announced the beginning of the ceremony.

Historical/Narrative usage.

Sein Schweigen kündete von einer tiefen inneren Zerrissenheit.

His silence spoke of a deep inner conflict.

Abstract literary usage.

Die Gewerkschaft drohte damit, die Tarifverträge zu künden.

The union threatened to terminate the collective agreements.

Verb 'drohen' + 'damit... zu'.

Es bedarf einer schriftlichen Erklärung, um wirksam zu künden.

It requires a written declaration to resign effectively.

Genitive with 'bedürfen'.

Die Ruinen künden noch heute von der einstigen Pracht der Stadt.

The ruins still bear witness today to the city's former splendor.

Durable literary expression.

Er kündete seinem alten Leben den Gehorsam.

He renounced obedience to his old life.

Highly metaphorical/Idiomatic.

Das Gesetz schützt davor, dass Arbeitgeber willkürlich künden.

The law protects against employers dismissing arbitrarily.

Subordinate clause with 'dass'.

Die dunklen Wolken kündeten das herannahende Unwetter.

The dark clouds heralded the approaching storm.

Natural imagery.

Trotz der Erfolge kündete er seinen Rücktritt an.

Despite the successes, he announced his resignation.

Using 'ankündigen' (related verb).

In seinem Spätwerk künden die Verse von einer fast mystischen Weltabkehr.

In his late work, the verses speak of an almost mystical withdrawal from the world.

Sophisticated literary analysis.

Die Kündigung eines Staatsvertrages ist ein völkerrechtlich komplexer Akt.

The termination of an international treaty is a complex act under international law.

Noun form 'Kündigung'.

Nichts kündete von der Katastrophe, die sich wenig später ereignen sollte.

Nothing heralded the catastrophe that was to occur shortly thereafter.

Narrative foreshadowing.

Das Urteil kündet von einem Wandel in der Rechtsprechung.

The verdict speaks of a change in jurisprudence.

Metaphorical use in legal discourse.

Sie kündete dem Establishment den Kampf an.

She declared war on the establishment.

Idiomatic 'den Kampf ankündigen'.

Die schlichte Eleganz des Baus kündet von der Meisterschaft des Architekten.

The simple elegance of the building bears witness to the architect's mastery.

Aesthetic commentary.

Ohne Zögern kündete er das langjährige Bündnis auf.

Without hesitation, he terminated the long-standing alliance.

Separable verb 'aufkündigen'.

Die Propheten kündeten das Ende der Zeiten.

The prophets heralded the end of times.

Archaic/Religious register.

Common Collocations

den Vertrag künden

die Stelle künden

jemandem fristlos künden

fristgerecht künden

die Wohnung künden

das Abo künden

die Freundschaft künden

den Gehorsam künden

von Erfolg künden

einen Kredit künden

Common Phrases

Ich künde!

— A dramatic way to say 'I quit!'.

Ich künde, ich halte das nicht mehr aus!

Gekündet werden

— To be fired or dismissed.

Er hat Angst, gekündet zu werden.

Zum Monatsende künden

— To terminate at the end of the month.

Ich künde zum Monatsende.

Wegen Eigenbedarf künden

— A specific legal reason for a landlord to end a lease.

Der Vermieter kündete wegen Eigenbedarf.

Den Dienst künden

— To resign from a service (often military or civil).

Er kündete seinen Dienst.

Eine Versicherung künden

— To cancel an insurance policy.

Du solltest die Versicherung künden.

Ein Konto künden

— To close a bank account.

Ich künde mein Konto bei dieser Bank.

Die Mitgliedschaft künden

— To cancel a membership (club, gym).

Sie kündete ihre Mitgliedschaft im Verein.

Einen Tarif künden

— To terminate a collective bargaining agreement.

Die Gewerkschaft kündete den Tarif.

Den Rücktritt künden

— To announce one's resignation from office.

Der Präsident kündete seinen Rücktritt.

Often Confused With

künden vs Kunden

Kunden are customers (noun, plural). Künden is to resign (verb).

künden vs künden (proclaim)

Same word, but different meaning. Context is key (herald vs resign).

künden vs kennen

Kennen means to know a person/place. Künden is an action of termination.

Idioms & Expressions

"Jemandem die Freundschaft künden"

— To formally end a friendship, usually after a betrayal.

Nach der Lüge kündete ich ihr die Freundschaft.

formal/dramatic

"Dem Gehorsam künden"

— To refuse to obey an authority anymore.

Die Soldaten kündeten dem General den Gehorsam.

literary/historical

"Von etwas künden"

— To be a sign of or to bear witness to something.

Die Narben künden von seinem harten Leben.

poetic

"Das kündet nichts Gutes"

— That doesn't bode well / herald anything good.

Der dunkle Himmel kündet nichts Gutes.

literary

"Sich künden"

— To manifest or announce itself (rare).

Der Frühling kündet sich durch die ersten Blumen an.

poetic

"In Grund und Boden künden"

— Not a standard idiom, but one might 'kündigen' everything in a fit of rage.

Er hat in Grund und Boden gekündigt.

informal

"Den Pakt künden"

— To break a pact or alliance.

Sie kündeten den geheimen Pakt.

formal

"Den Glauben künden"

— To preach or proclaim the faith.

Die Apostel kündeten den Glauben.

religious

"Die Treue künden"

— To withdraw one's loyalty.

Er kündete seinem Lehnsherrn die Treue.

historical

"Vom Ende künden"

— To signal the end of something.

Die Glocken kündeten vom Ende der Ära.

literary

Easily Confused

künden vs kündigen

Almost identical meaning.

Kündigen is the standard modern verb. Künden is the root/formal/poetic variant.

Ich kündige (standard) vs. Ich künde (formal).

künden vs verkünden

Prefix 'ver-' changes the meaning slightly.

Verkünden is always 'to announce publicly' (like a law). Künden is 'to terminate' or 'to herald'.

Der Richter verkündet das Urteil.

künden vs ankündigen

Prefix 'an-' changes the meaning.

Ankündigen is to announce something that will happen in the future.

Er kündigt seinen Besuch an.

künden vs aufkündigen

Prefix 'auf-' emphasizes the break.

Aufkündigen is used for treaties, alliances, or friendships.

Sie kündigten den Pakt auf.

künden vs gründen

Sounds similar (rhymes).

Gründen means to found or start something (like a company). Künden is to end it.

Eine Firma gründen vs. eine Stelle künden.

Sentence Patterns

Ich künde [Object].

Ich künde den Job.

Ich habe [Object] gekündet.

Ich habe das Abo gekündet.

Ich muss [Dative] künden.

Ich muss dem Mieter künden.

[Object] fristgerecht künden.

Er kündete den Vertrag fristgerecht.

Wegen [Genitive] künden.

Wegen Eigenbedarfs künden.

[Subject] kündet von [Dative].

Das Haus kündet von Reichtum.

Hiermit künde ich [Accusative].

Hiermit künde ich mein Arbeitsverhältnis.

[Subject] kündete [Dative] den Gehorsam.

Er kündete dem König den Gehorsam.

Word Family

Nouns

Kündigung (resignation/dismissal)

Kunde (customer/news)

Kündigungsfrist (notice period)

Kündigungsschutz (dismissal protection)

Verbs

kündigen (to resign/dismiss - standard)

verkünden (to announce)

ankündigen (to herald/announce)

aufkündigen (to terminate/break off)

Adjectives

kündbar (terminable)

unverkündet (unannounced)

kundig (knowledgeable)

bekannt

erkennen

Kunde

Urkunde

Kenntnis

How to Use It

frequency

Kündigen is high frequency; künden is medium-low frequency but high importance.

Common Mistakes

Ich habe meine Kunden gekündigt. → Ich habe meine Stelle gekündigt.
Kunden are customers. You don't 'cancel' customers; you resign from a 'Stelle' (position).
Ich künde den Mitarbeiter. → Ich künde dem Mitarbeiter.
People receive the action in the dative case with this verb.
Ich künde per WhatsApp. → Ich künde schriftlich per Brief.
In Germany, electronic termination is often legally invalid for major contracts.
Er kündete das Urteil. → Er verkündete das Urteil.
For public announcements of verdicts, use 'verkünden'.
Ich habe gekunden. → Ich habe gekündet.
Künden is a weak verb. Do not use strong verb patterns.

Tips

Watch the Case

Remember: objects (contracts) are accusative, people are dative. This is the most common B1 mistake.

Prefer 'Kündigen'

In 95% of situations, use 'kündigen'. It's the standard. Use 'künden' only if you want to sound very formal or poetic.

The Paper Rule

In Germany, a Kündigung is only real if it's on paper. Don't rely on verbal agreements or emails.

The Rounded 'Ü'

Keep your lips tight and round for the 'ü'. If you say 'u', people will think you're talking about customers (Kunden).

The End Sign

Associate 'künden' with a red 'X'. It is the verb of the big red X on a contract.

Context Clues

If you hear 'künden' in a museum, it means 'to bear witness'. In an office, it means 'to quit'.

Formal Phrases

Learn 'hiermit kündige ich' as a fixed phrase for letters. It makes you sound very professional.

Fristen

Always check the 'Frist' (deadline). Künden is nothing without its Frist.

Friendship

Use 'die Freundschaft künden' only for very dramatic, permanent breakups.

Knowing

Remember that künden means 'to make known'. You are making your exit known.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Think of a 'Kunde' (customer). If a customer is unhappy, they will 'künden' (cancel) their subscription. Künden = Kunde ends it.

Visual Association

Imagine a person holding a megaphone (announcing/künden) but instead of words, they are throwing a 'Contract' into a trash can.

Word Web

Job Vertrag Abo Ende Frist Brief Arbeit Chef

Challenge

Try to write a 3-sentence email in German where you 'künden' your gym membership because you are moving to Berlin.

Word Origin

From Middle High German 'künden' and Old High German 'kundēn', meaning 'to make known'. It is related to the word 'kund' (known) and 'kennen' (to know).

Original meaning: To make something known or to announce publicly.

Germanic

Cultural Context

Be careful when telling someone 'Ich künde dir'. It is very harsh and implies a total break in relationship.

Unlike the US 'at-will' employment, German 'künden' always involves a notice period (usually 3 months).

Goethe's poems often use 'künden' for nature proclaiming spring. Schiller uses it for heralds announcing news. Modern German rap sometimes uses 'kündigen' to talk about leaving the 'system'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Employment

die Stelle künden
fristlos künden
eine neue Stelle suchen
Kündigungsfrist einhalten

Housing

die Wohnung künden
Nachmieter suchen
Mietvertrag künden
wegen Eigenbedarf

Subscriptions

das Abo künden
Vertragslaufzeit
Kündigungsbutton
schriftlich künden

Legal/Court

das Urteil künden
den Gehorsam künden
einen Pakt künden
widerrechtlich künden

Poetic/Nature

vom Frühling künden
von altem Ruhm künden
das Schicksal künden
die Glocken künden

Conversation Starters

"Hast du schon mal einen Job gekündet, ohne einen neuen zu haben?"

"Wie lange ist die Kündigungsfrist bei deinem aktuellen Vertrag?"

"Musstest du schon mal jemandem künden? Wie war das Gefühl?"

"Warum künden so viele Leute heutzutage ihre Fitnessstudio-Abos?"

"Was ist der seltsamste Grund, aus dem jemand seine Wohnung künden musste?"

Journal Prompts

Schreibe über einen Moment, in dem du etwas Wichtiges gekündet hast (Job, Wohnung, Abo). Wie hast du dich gefühlt?

Stell dir vor, du bist ein Chef. Wie würdest du einem Mitarbeiter künden, der eigentlich nett ist, aber keine gute Arbeit macht?

Was kündet für dich den Beginn des Winters an? Beschreibe die Zeichen in der Natur.

Sollte man eine Freundschaft künden können wie einen Vertrag? Warum oder warum nicht?

Wie hat sich die Art, wie wir Verträge künden, durch das Internet verändert?

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes, in the context of resigning or dismissing, they are functionally the same, but 'kündigen' is much more common in modern German. 'Künden' sounds more formal or old-fashioned.

Usually, no. For employment and rental contracts, German law requires a 'Schriftform', which means a physical letter with a wet-ink signature. An email is often legally invalid.

It means to terminate a contract immediately without waiting for the notice period. This is only allowed for 'wichtiger Grund' (serious reasons), like theft at work.

Yes, when you are dismissing a person, you use the dative: 'Ich künde dem Mitarbeiter'. If you use the accusative, it sounds like you are terminating the employee as if they were an object.

It varies. For jobs, it is often 3 months to the end of a quarter. For apartments, it is usually 3 months. Always check your contract!

In a poetic sense, yes. 'Von etwas künden' means to tell of or bear witness to something, like a monument telling of history.

Both are correct for their respective verbs. 'Gekündet' is from 'künden', and 'gekündigt' is from 'kündigen'. Use 'gekündigt' for everyday speech.

You can say 'Mir wurde gekündet' (formal) or 'Ich wurde entlassen' (neutral) or 'Ich wurde gefeuert' (slang).

It is a common reason for a landlord to 'künden' a tenant, meaning the landlord needs the apartment for themselves or their family.

They share the same root! A 'Kunde' was originally someone who 'knew' things or was 'made known' to the seller.