vereinigen
to unite
To bring two or more separate things, groups, or territories together into a single unit.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Parteien beschlossen, ihre Kräfte zu vereinigen.
The two parties decided to unite their forces.
vereinigen
to unite / merge
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Meanings
sich vereinigen
to merge
To join together or come together in order to form a unit.
EXAMPLE
Die beiden Flüsse vereinigen sich kurz vor der Stadt zu einem großen Strom.
The two rivers merge into a large stream shortly before the city.
sich vereinigen
to combine
In chemistry, to enter into a compound.
EXAMPLE
Wasserstoff und Sauerstoff vereinigen sich unter bestimmten Bedingungen zu Wasser.
Hydrogen and oxygen combine to form water under certain conditions.
Usage tips
Word structure
The word is derived from 'ein' (one, the number 1). The prefix 'ver-' and the ending '-igen' turn it into a verb that means to make things 'into one unit.'
EXAMPLE
Das Ziel ist es, die beiden Abteilungen zu vereinigen.
The goal is to unite the two departments.
Inseparable verb
The prefix 'ver-' is inseparable. It stays directly attached to the verb stem in all sentence forms and tenses.
EXAMPLE
Die Band hat sich nach langer Pause wieder vereinigt.
The band reunited after a long break.
Transitive vs. reflexive
This verb has two important structures: you can actively unite something (transitive), or things can join together (reflexive). The reflexive form 'sich vereinigen' (to unite/merge) is very common.
EXAMPLE
Der Manager will die beiden Teams vereinigen.
The manager wants to unite the two teams.
Typical collocations
In the transitive form, 'vereinigen' (to unite) is often used for large, abstract things. Typical objects are: countries, companies, forces, or qualities.
EXAMPLE
Das neue Produkt vereinigt Design und Funktionalität.
The new product unites design and functionality.
Sentence structure with 'zu'
When something joins together into a new unit, the preposition 'zu' + dative is often used. For example: 'sich zu einer Gruppe vereinigen' (to unite into a group), 'sich zu einem Strom vereinigen' (to merge into a stream).
EXAMPLE
Die Demonstranten vereinigten sich zu einem großen Protestzug.
The demonstrators united into a large protest march.
Compare with
vereinigen vs verbinden
to connect / to bandage
Both words work when separate groups act together. verbinden can also express a connection or alliance in which the groups remain separate; vereinigen emphasizes forming one single, shared unit. Use vereinigen when this exact merger is meant.
vereinigen
Die beiden Vereine vereinigen ihre Mitglieder zu einer gemeinsamen Organisation.
The two clubs unite their members into a single organization.
verbinden
Die beiden Vereine verbinden sich für ein gemeinsames Jugendprojekt.
The two clubs join forces for a joint youth project.
In real life
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