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' 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
'Verbindung' and 'Connection' can both mean personal contacts or a transport connection. 'Verbindung' is the normal German word and fits in neutral or official situations. You can use it to describe professional contacts as well as bus, train, and flight options. 'Connection' is colloquial and often sounds more casual or modern. For personal contacts, it usually means useful relationships with important people. The words can be confused because they are used similarly in some situations. In formal texts, 'Verbindung' is the safer choice; 'Connection' fits better in informal language.
Meine Kollegin sagt, dass ihre Connection am Bahnhof heute sehr knapp ist.
My colleague says that her connection at the station is very tight today.
Durch seine Verbindung zu einer Ärztin bekam er schnell einen Termin.
Through his connection to a doctor, he quickly got an appointment.