convention
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convention
A rule of social interaction or a behavior that most people in a group or culture accept as normal and correct.
Es ist eine gesellschaftliche Konvention, bei einer Begrüßung die Hand zu geben.
It is a social convention to shake hands when greeting someone.
convention
A treaty under international law or a formal agreement between states, organizations, or parties on a particular topic.
Die Genfer Konvention regelt den Umgang mit Kriegsgefangenen.
The Geneva Convention regulates the treatment of prisoners of war.
convention
A large meeting or congress, especially of members of an organization, party, or interest group.
Nächstes Jahr findet die größte Comic-Konvention Europas in Deutschland statt.
Next year, Europe's largest comic convention will take place in Germany.
Although 'Konvention' (convention) can mean a large gathering, like English 'convention', a very common meaning in German is an unwritten social rule. For English speakers, this second meaning is often unexpected.
Es ist eine Konvention, älteren Menschen im Bus einen Sitzplatz anzubieten.
It is a convention to offer older people a seat on the bus.
You can recognize the meaning from the context: if it is about behavior in society, it means a social rule. If it is about politics and law, it means a treaty. If it is about an event, it means a congress or convention.
Er brach mit allen gesellschaftlichen Konventionen seiner Zeit.
He broke with all the social conventions of his time.
In the sense of a social rule, 'Konvention' (convention) is often combined with verbs such as 'sich an etwas halten' (to follow something), 'etwas brechen' (to break something), or 'gegen etwas verstoßen' (to violate something). It also frequently appears with the adjective 'gesellschaftlich' (social).
Sich in einer Schlange anzustellen ist eine ungeschriebene Konvention.
Standing in line is an unwritten convention.
In the meaning 'völkerrechtlicher Vertrag' (treaty under international law), the word is often used with verbs such as 'unterzeichnen' (to sign), 'ratifizieren' (to ratify), or 'beitreten' (to accede to). The convention usually has an official name.
Mehr als 180 Staaten haben die Klimaschutz-Konvention unterzeichnet.
More than 180 countries have signed the climate protection convention.
When a gathering is meant, 'Konvention' (convention) is often used with verbs such as 'besuchen' (to attend), 'veranstalten' (to organize), or the expression 'auf eine Konvention gehen' (to go to a convention).
Wir fahren jedes Jahr auf die Spiele-Konvention in Essen.
We go to the games convention in Essen every year.
agreement
Abkommen is a general term for a formal treaty between several parties. In this context, Konvention refers specifically to an established, often international treaty on a particular topic. Both work for international agreements, but Konvention usually sounds more specific and established.
Die Staaten ratifizierten eine internationale Konvention zum Schutz des gemeinsamen Flusses.
The states ratified an international convention to protect their shared river.
Die beiden Staaten unterzeichneten ein Abkommen über den Schutz des gemeinsamen Flusses.
The two states signed an agreement on protecting their shared river.
