die Verbindung
connection
A technical connection for communication, data transmission, or electricity.
EXAMPLE
Meine Internetverbindung ist heute sehr langsam.
My internet connection is very slow today.
die Verbindung
connection / association
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Meanings
die Verbindung
connection
A transport connection between two or more places, for example by bus, train, or plane.
EXAMPLE
Gibt es eine direkte Zugverbindung von Hamburg nach München?
Is there a direct train connection from Hamburg to Munich?
sich in Verbindung setzen mit
to get in touch with
To contact someone.
EXAMPLE
Bitte setzen Sie sich bei Fragen mit dem Kundenservice in Verbindung.
Please get in touch with customer service if you have any questions.
in Verbindung mit
in connection with
Together with; in combination with.
EXAMPLE
Das Medikament zeigt in Verbindung mit Alkohol starke Nebenwirkungen.
The medication has strong side effects in connection with alcohol.
die Verbindung
connections
A social or professional contact or a relationship with influential people or groups.
EXAMPLE
Dank seiner guten Verbindungen zur Politik bekam er den Auftrag.
Thanks to his good connections in politics, he got the contract.
die Verbindung
compound
A substance made up of two or more different chemical elements that are chemically bonded to each other.
EXAMPLE
Wasser (H₂O) ist eine chemische Verbindung aus Wasserstoff und Sauerstoff.
Water (H₂O) is a chemical compound made of hydrogen and oxygen.
die Verbindung
student association
An organized association of students at a university, often with its own traditions and rules (Studentenverbindung).
EXAMPLE
Sein Vater war schon Mitglied in derselben studentischen Verbindung.
His father had already been a member of the same student association.
Usage tips
Word family
'Die Verbindung' (connection) is the noun related to the verb 'verbinden' (to connect). The basic idea of a link or relationship appears in all meanings, whether technical, social, or logical.
EXAMPLE
Können Sie mich bitte mit der Personalabteilung verbinden?
Could you please connect me with the HR department?
Typical collocations
In technical contexts, fixed combinations are very common. These include 'Internetverbindung' (internet connection), 'WLAN-Verbindung' (Wi-Fi connection), or 'Telefonverbindung' (phone connection). Typical verbs are 'eine Verbindung herstellen' (to establish a connection) or 'die Verbindung ist abgebrochen' (the connection has been lost).
EXAMPLE
Ich kann keine E-Mails senden, die Internetverbindung ist unterbrochen.
I can't send emails; the internet connection is down.
Sentence structure for transport
When talking about means of transport, the route is often described with the prepositions 'von' and 'nach' (from and to) or 'zwischen' and 'und' (between and and). For example, you might ask: 'Gibt es eine Verbindung von Köln nach Berlin?' (Is there a connection from Cologne to Berlin?)
EXAMPLE
Die Zugverbindung zwischen den beiden Städten ist sehr gut.
The train connection between the two cities is very good.
Fixed expression with dative
The phrase 'sich mit jemandem in Verbindung setzen' (to get in touch with someone) is a fixed expression that means 'jemanden kontaktieren' (to contact someone). Note that the person or office being contacted is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
Ich werde mich nächste Woche mit dem Vermieter in Verbindung setzen.
I will get in touch with the landlord next week.
Fixed expression with dative
The expression 'in Verbindung mit' (in connection with) is a fixed prepositional phrase that means 'zusammen mit' (together with) or 'in Kombination mit' (in combination with). The noun that follows it is always in the dative.
EXAMPLE
In Verbindung mit Sport ist eine gesunde Ernährung besonders wichtig.
In connection with exercise, a healthy diet is especially important.
Use in the plural
When referring to social or professional contacts, the plural 'Verbindungen' (connections) is often used. It usually refers to useful or influential contacts.
EXAMPLE
Er hat den Job nur durch seine guten Verbindungen bekommen.
He got the job only through his good connections.
Context clue: chemistry
This meaning is limited to the scientific field. If you see words like 'chemisch' (chemical), 'Element' (element), 'Stoff' (substance), or a chemical formula, a chemical compound is meant.
EXAMPLE
Kochsalz ist eine chemische Verbindung aus Natrium und Chlor.
Table salt is a chemical compound made of sodium and chlorine.
Cultural context
In Germany and Austria, 'die Verbindung' can also refer to a traditional student association at a university. This term is very specific to the university context.
EXAMPLE
Er ist während seines Studiums einer alten Verbindung beigetreten.
He joined an old student association during his studies.
Compare with
BandEheZusammenhangKontaktBeziehungAnschlussBezugStreckeBrückeKombinationEmpfangAnbindungVernetzungVerknüpfungSchnittstelleAssoziationNexusKupplungConnectionKopplungLegierung
Verbindung vs Band
ribbon / band
Das Band refers to a close personal connection and sounds emotional and figurative. Verbindung can also describe a social relationship, but here it means more of a neutral or professionally useful contact. Band is therefore suitable for personal closeness, while Verbindung is more appropriate for contacts with influential people.
Verbindung
Durch ihre Arbeit hat sie eine gute Verbindung zu wichtigen Personen in der Stadt.
Through her work, she has good connections with important people in the city.
Band
Zwischen den beiden Schwestern besteht seit ihrer Kindheit ein enges Band.
The two sisters have shared a close bond since childhood.
In real life
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