das Versprechen
promise
A binding commitment to do or refrain from doing something specific.
EXAMPLE
Sie hielt ihr Versprechen und half mir beim Umzug.
She kept her promise and helped me move.
das Versprechen
promise
das Versprechen, die Versprechen
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Meanings
Forms
Forms adapted from the German Wiktionary entry Versprechen, by Wiktionary contributors, licence CC BY-SA 4.0.
At a glance
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| plural | die Versprechen |
| genitive | des Versprechens |
The four cases
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Versprechen | die Versprechen |
| accusative | das Versprechen | die Versprechen |
| dative | dem Versprechen | den Versprechen |
| genitive | des Versprechens | der Versprechen |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
Usage tips
Word family
'Das Versprechen' (the promise) is the nominalized infinitive of the verb 'versprechen' (to promise): Anyone who promises someone something gives them a promise.
EXAMPLE
Sie versprach ihm, nichts zu verraten, und dieses Versprechen nahm sie sehr ernst.
She promised him she wouldn't reveal anything, and she took this promise very seriously.
Typical collocations
Typical collocations are 'ein Versprechen geben' (to make a promise), 'ein Versprechen halten' (to keep a promise), 'ein Versprechen brechen' (to break a promise), and 'ein Versprechen einlösen' (to fulfill a promise). These verbs show whether a commitment is made, fulfilled, or not kept.
EXAMPLE
Er hat sein Versprechen gebrochen und ist wieder nicht gekommen.
He broke his promise and didn't come again.
Dative construction
When you name the person for whom the commitment is intended, that person usually appears in the dative: 'jemandem ein Versprechen geben' (to make someone a promise) or 'jemandem ein Versprechen machen' (to make someone a promise).
EXAMPLE
Die Politikerin gab den Bürgern ein wichtiges Versprechen.
The politician made the citizens an important promise.
In real life
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