Abmachungen einhalten

The word Abmachungen is the plural of agreement.

The verb einhalten means to keep or observe.

It is a separable verb, but usually stays together here.

You might say, 'Wir müssen die Abmachung einhalten.'

If you are talking about yourself, use 'ich halte... ein.'

It fits perfectly into sentences with modal verbs like müssen.

Keep it simple and direct.

Use this in professional settings constantly.

It is the standard way to talk about contracts.

Use it with your roommates about the 'Putzplan'.

If someone forgets their turn to clean, remind them.

It works well when you want to sound firm.

Use it when discussing rules in a sports club.

It is great for setting boundaries in a relationship.

Do not use it for very casual, spontaneous things.

If you said 'I might call later,' that is not an Abmachung.

It is too heavy for a casual 'maybe.'

Avoid it if you are joking about something trivial.

Unless, of course, the irony is the point of the joke!

For deep, heart-to-heart promises, use Versprechen instead.

Abmachung feels a bit more like a structured deal.

Germans are famous for their love of rules and order.

This phrase is the verbal version of that stereotype.

Reliability is seen as a form of respect for others.

If you break an agreement, you waste someone else's time.

Time is highly valued in German-speaking cultures.

An agreement is often seen as a binding 'handshake' deal.

Even without a signature, your word carries a lot of weight.

You will often hear sich an etwas halten.

This is a bit more flexible and common in speech.

Sein Wort geben is more poetic and serious.

Einen Vertrag erfüllen is the strictly legal version.

If you want to be very casual, say Abgemacht!.

That just means 'It is a deal!' or 'Done!'