das Abkommen
agreement
A formal contract or agreement between two or more parties, such as states, organizations, or companies.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Länder unterzeichneten ein Handelsabkommen.
The two countries signed a trade agreement.
das Abkommen
agreement
Checking...
Loading your saved state.
Meanings
das Abkommen
deviation
The act of deviating from something or moving away from something. This meaning is rare and is mostly found in educated or formal contexts.
EXAMPLE
Ein Abkommen vom rechten Weg kann schlimme Folgen haben.
A deviation from the right path can have serious consequences.
Usage tips
From verb to noun
'Das Abkommen' (the agreement/deviation) is the nominalization of the verb 'abkommen'. This verb can mean both 'to reach an agreement' and 'to deviate from a path', which explains the two meanings of the noun.
EXAMPLE
Die Gewerkschaft hat mit dem Arbeitgeber ein neues Abkommen getroffen.
The union reached a new agreement with the employer.
Typical verbs
In the context of contracts, an agreement is often 'geschlossen' (concluded), 'unterzeichnet' (signed), 'ausgehandelt' (negotiated), or 'ratifiziert' (ratified). You can also 'brechen' (break) or 'kündigen' (terminate) it.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Staaten haben ein Friedensabkommen ausgehandelt.
The two states negotiated a peace agreement.
Important prepositions
To name the partners and the topic of an agreement, fixed prepositions are used: an agreement 'zwischen' (between) the parties, 'mit' (with) a partner, and 'über' (about/on) the topic (accusative).
EXAMPLE
Es gab ein Abkommen zwischen den Firmen über die gemeinsame Forschung.
There was an agreement between the companies on the joint research.
Rare use
The meaning 'Abweichung' (deviation) is very rare today and is used almost only in elevated or older language. It practically does not occur in modern everyday speech.
EXAMPLE
Sein Verhalten wurde als ein Abkommen von den guten Sitten betrachtet.
His behavior was regarded as a deviation from good morals.
Compare with
Abkommen vs Vertrag
contract
Vertrag and Abkommen can both refer to a formal agreement between parties. Vertrag emphasizes the legal binding force of the agreement, while Abkommen is especially common for institutional or specifically limited agreements, such as agreements between states. Choose Vertrag for the binding legal transaction and Abkommen for the jointly agreed arrangement.
Abkommen
Die beiden Staaten unterzeichneten ein Abkommen über den gemeinsamen Schutz des Flusses.
The two states signed an agreement on the joint protection of the river.
Vertrag
Die beiden Staaten unterzeichneten einen Vertrag über ihre langfristige Zusammenarbeit.
The two states signed a treaty on their long-term cooperation.
In real life
Loading video examples...