agreement / unification
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agreement
The result of negotiations in which the parties involved reach a shared understanding or compromise.
Nach langen Gesprächen erzielten die Tarifpartner eine Einigung.
After long talks, the collective bargaining partners reached an agreement.
unification
The process or result of uniting separate political or social entities into one whole.
Die deutsche Einigung im Jahr 1990 war ein historisches Ereignis.
German unification in 1990 was a historic event.
'Einigung' (agreement / unification) belongs to the word family of 'eins' (one). It is the nominalization of the verb 'sich einigen' (to agree / to come to an agreement) and describes the process or result of becoming 'eins' (one).
Die beiden Parteien konnten sich nicht einigen.
The two parties could not agree.
The meaning depends strongly on the context. In connection with negotiations, contracts, or conflicts, it refers to an agreement. In a historical or political context, it means the unification of states or territories.
Die Einigung zwischen den Firmen wurde gestern bekannt gegeben.
The agreement between the companies was announced yesterday.
Common verbs with 'Einigung' (agreement) are 'eine Einigung erzielen' (to reach an agreement) or 'zu einer Einigung kommen' (to come to an agreement). The prepositions 'über' (accusative) or 'auf' (accusative) indicate what people have agreed on.
Die Gewerkschaft und die Arbeitgeber haben eine Einigung über die Löhne erzielt.
The union and the employers reached an agreement on wages.
The combination 'die deutsche Einigung' (German unification) is a fixed expression that refers specifically to the reunification of Germany in 1990.
Der Fall der Berliner Mauer war ein wichtiger Schritt zur deutschen Einigung.
The fall of the Berlin Wall was an important step toward German unification.
comparison / settlement
Both words can refer to a mutually agreed solution after a dispute. „Vergleich“ refers to the specific legal form used to end a legal dispute, while „Einigung“ generally refers to the result of negotiations or to a compromise. In court proceedings, „Vergleich“ is therefore more appropriate; otherwise, „Einigung“ is often used.
Nach langen Verhandlungen erzielten die Parteien eine Einigung über den weiteren Ablauf.
After lengthy negotiations, the parties reached an agreement on how to proceed.
Nach langen Verhandlungen schlossen die Parteien vor Gericht einen Vergleich.
After lengthy negotiations, the parties reached a settlement in court.
