fusionieren
to merge
For companies, organizations, or parties to join together to form a single, larger unit.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Banken planen, im nächsten Jahr zu fusionieren.
The two banks are planning to merge next year.
fusionieren
to merge / fuse
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Meanings
fusionieren
to fuse
Used figuratively for the blending or combining of different things, styles, or ideas into something new.
EXAMPLE
In seiner Musik fusionieren Elemente aus Jazz und klassischer Musik.
In his music, elements of jazz and classical music fuse.
fusionieren
to fuse
In physics, the process of nuclear fusion, in which atomic nuclei fuse into a new nucleus and release energy in the process.
EXAMPLE
Im Inneren der Sonne fusionieren Wasserstoffatome zu Helium.
Inside the sun, hydrogen atoms fuse into helium.
Usage tips
Word structure
The ending '-ieren' shows that this is a verb borrowed from another language, here Latin. Such verbs are almost always regular and weak in German.
EXAMPLE
Die Firma fusionierte letztes Jahr mit ihrem größten Konkurrenten.
The company merged with its biggest competitor last year.
Sentence structure and usage
The verb is often used with the preposition 'mit' (with) to name the partners in the merger. With 'zu' (into), the result of the merger is described.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Abteilungen fusionieren zu einem neuen Team.
The two departments are merging into a new team.
Context clues
You can recognize the meaning of 'fusionieren' (to merge/fuse) from the context. If it is about 'Unternehmen' (companies) or 'Banken' (banks), the business meaning is intended. With 'Stilen' (styles) or 'Musik' (music), it is about art. With 'Atomen' (atoms) or 'Kernen' (nuclei), the physics meaning is intended.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Autohersteller haben angekündigt, zu fusionieren.
The two car manufacturers have announced that they intend to merge.
Typical collocations
In a business context, it is typically 'Unternehmen' (companies), 'Firmen' (firms), 'Banken' (banks), or also 'Parteien' (parties) that merge with one another.
EXAMPLE
Es gibt Gerüchte, dass die zwei größten Telekommunikationsfirmen fusionieren wollen.
There are rumors that the two largest telecommunications companies want to merge.
Typical collocations
In the figurative sense, abstract things such as 'Stile' (styles), 'Kulturen' (cultures), 'Ideen' (ideas), or 'Musikrichtungen' (music genres) often fuse.
EXAMPLE
Der Architekt lässt in seinen Bauten moderne und traditionelle Elemente fusionieren.
The architect lets modern and traditional elements fuse in his buildings.
Compare with
fusionieren vs vereinigen
to unite / merge
When referring to companies or organizations, both words can describe the same joining process. „Vereinigen“ is the more general term, while „fusionieren“ emphasizes the formation of a larger unit and is more technical in style. In everyday language, „vereinigen“ is appropriate; in reports about such combinations, „fusionieren“ is often used.
fusionieren
Die beiden Firmen fusionierten zu einer größeren Firma.
The two companies merged to form a larger company.
vereinigen
Die beiden Firmen vereinigten sich zu einer größeren Firma.
The two companies united to form a larger company.
In real life
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