partnership / biological community
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partnership
A long-term form of cohabitation between two people that resembles a marriage but exists without a formal marriage ceremony. It is also called a non-marital partnership.
Sie leben seit zehn Jahren in einer Lebensgemeinschaft, ohne verheiratet zu sein.
They have lived in a partnership for ten years without being married.
The word is made up of 'Leben' (life), the linking s, and 'Gemeinschaft' (community). So it literally describes a 'community of life'.
Viele Paare entscheiden sich für eine Lebensgemeinschaft statt einer Ehe.
Many couples choose a partnership instead of a marriage.
The context makes the meaning clear: if it is about people, relationships, and legal aspects, it refers to the partnership. If it is about animals, plants, and ecosystems, it refers to the biological meaning.
Sie haben ihre Lebensgemeinschaft offiziell eintragen lassen.
They had their partnership officially registered.
In connection with human relationships, 'Lebensgemeinschaft' (partnership) is a rather formal and legal term. It is often used in official documents or administrative language.
Für die Steuererklärung mussten sie den Status ihrer Lebensgemeinschaft angeben.
For the tax return, they had to state the status of their partnership.
Common phrases are 'in einer Lebensgemeinschaft leben' (to live in a partnership), 'eine Lebensgemeinschaft eingehen' (to enter into a partnership), or the more precise form 'nichteheliche Lebensgemeinschaft' (non-marital partnership).
Immer mehr Menschen leben in einer nichtehelichen Lebensgemeinschaft.
More and more people live in a non-marital partnership.
This meaning of the word is a technical term from biology. It is rarely used in everyday life unless people are talking about ecological topics.
Der Biologiekurs untersucht die Lebensgemeinschaft eines Baches.
The biology class is studying the biological community of a stream.
marriage
'die Ehe' and 'die Lebensgemeinschaft' both describe two people living together long-term. The most important difference is the formal side: an 'Ehe' comes about through marriage and is clearly regulated by law. A 'Lebensgemeinschaft' is similar to a marriage in everyday life, but exists without a formal marriage ceremony. The words can be confused because both look like a committed couple relationship. If two people are married, you say 'Ehe'. If they live together but are not married, 'Lebensgemeinschaft' fits better.
Für die Wohnung mussten sie angeben, dass sie in einer Lebensgemeinschaft leben.
For the apartment, they had to state that they live together in a partnership.
In ihrer Ehe sprechen Maria und Paul offen über Geld und Pläne.
In their marriage, Maria and Paul talk openly about money and plans.