association
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association
An association or federation of people or organizations with a shared goal. The word is often used as a loanword in the names of international or sports associations.
Die 'National Basketball Association' (NBA) ist die bekannteste Basketball-Liga der Welt.
The National Basketball Association (NBA) is the best-known basketball league in the world.
'Association' (association) is a loanword from French and is pronounced in a similar way. In German, it is rarely used in everyday speech; it is more common in specialized language or in proper names.
Die Aussprache des Wortes verrät seine französische Herkunft.
The pronunciation of the word reveals its French origin.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: if it is the official name of an association or federation (often in sports or international contexts), the first meaning is intended. If it is about psychology, thoughts, or memories, the second meaning is intended.
Die „American Medical Association“ ist ein wichtiger Berufsverband.
The American Medical Association is an important professional association.
In the meaning of 'Verband' (association/federation), the word is almost exclusively part of official names, especially for international organizations. It is not a general word for a club or society.
Er ist Mitglied in einer internationalen „Association for Computing Machinery“.
He is a member of the international Association for Computing Machinery.
The meaning 'gedankliche Verknüpfung' (mental connection) is specialized language from psychology. In everyday speech, one would be more likely to speak of an 'Erinnerung' (memory), 'Verbindung' (connection), or 'Gedanke' (thought).
In der Therapie sprach sie über die Association zwischen dem Lied und ihrer Kindheit.
In therapy, she talked about the association between the song and her childhood.
In a psychological context, 'Association' (association) is often used with verbs like 'auslösen' (to trigger), 'wecken' (to awaken/bring up), or 'herstellen' (to establish). You can also say 'eine Association mit etwas haben' (to have an association with something).
Das Bild löste eine Kette von Assoziationen in ihm aus.
The image triggered a chain of associations in him.
club / association
'der Verein' and 'die Association' can both mean a group or organization with a shared goal. 'Verein' is the normal German word, especially for local groups in sports, culture, leisure activities, or social work. 'Association' is a loanword and occurs mainly in the names of international organizations or sports federations. In normal everyday German, 'Association' usually sounds unnatural if you simply mean a 'Verein'. Learners may confuse the words because both function like a 'Vereinigung' (association). As a practical rule: for a normal German context, say 'Verein'; use 'Association' more when it is part of an official name.
Vor dem Turnier liest Tom die Regeln der internationalen Association.
Before the tournament, Tom reads the rules of the international association.
Du kannst mit den Kindern am Samstag zum Verein gehen.
You can go to the club with the children on Saturday.