connection
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connections
Colloquial for useful personal or business relationships with influential people; a network of contacts.
Ohne die richtige Connection ist es schwer, in dieser Branche Fuß zu fassen.
Without the right connections, it is hard to gain a foothold in this industry.
connection
Colloquial for a transport connection, especially a connecting flight or train.
Hoffentlich hat mein Flug keine Verspätung, sonst verpasse ich meine Connection in München.
Hopefully my flight won't be delayed, otherwise I'll miss my connection in Munich.
connection
In drug jargon, a contact with a dealer or supplier of illegal drugs.
Er rief seine Connection an, um etwas für die Party am Wochenende zu besorgen.
He called his connection to get something for the party at the weekend.
'Connection' is a loanword from English and in German is used almost exclusively in colloquial speech. It is unusual in formal texts or conversations.
Er hat den Job nur durch eine gute Connection bekommen.
He only got the job through a good connection.
The meaning becomes clear from the context. If it is about work or a career, contacts are meant. If people are talking about a trip by plane or train, it means a transport connection.
Für den Job in der Medienbranche braucht man die richtigen Connections.
For the job in the media industry, you need the right connections.
In the meaning of 'Kontakte' (contacts), the word is often combined with the verbs 'haben' (to have) and 'nutzen' (to use). For example, people say 'gute Connections haben' (to have good connections) or 'seine Connections spielen lassen' (to use one's connections).
Sie hat ihre Connections genutzt, um an die Konzertkarten zu kommen.
She used her connections to get the concert tickets.
When a transport connection is meant, 'Connection' is often used with verbs such as 'verpassen' (to miss), 'bekommen' (to get), or 'erreichen' (to make/reach).
Wegen der Verspätung habe ich leider meine Connection in Frankfurt verpasst.
Because of the delay, I unfortunately missed my connection in Frankfurt.
This meaning belongs exclusively to drug jargon. It describes contact with a dealer. This usage is very specific and irrelevant for most everyday situations.
Die Polizei hat versucht, seine Connection ausfindig zu machen.
The police tried to track down his connection.
connection / association
For train or air travel, Verbindung and Connection can mean the same thing. Verbindung is the neutral standard term, while Connection is colloquial. Verbindung is therefore appropriate in an official inquiry, whereas Connection can be used in a casual conversation.
Ein Freund empfiehlt mir eine schnelle Connection nach Hamburg.
A friend recommends a fast connection to Hamburg.
Die Mitarbeiterin am Schalter empfiehlt eine schnelle Verbindung nach Hamburg.
The employee at the ticket counter recommends a fast connection to Hamburg.
