01
das Verhältnis
relationship
The type of relationship or connection between people, groups, or things.
example
Sie hat ein sehr gutes Verhältnis zu ihren Kollegen.
She has a very good relationship with her colleagues.
das Verhältnis
relationship / ratio
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Word family
'Verhältnis' (relationship / ratio) is the noun related to the verb 'sich verhalten' (to behave / to relate). It describes how people or things relate to one another or what relationship they have to one another.
EXAMPLE
Das Verhältnis zwischen den beiden Abteilungen hat sich verbessert.
The relationship between the two departments has improved.
Plural with special meaning
Careful: the plural 'die Verhältnisse' (circumstances) does not simply mean 'several relationships'; it describes general living conditions (e.g. social or economic). This meaning only exists in the plural.
EXAMPLE
Sie kommt aus ärmlichen Verhältnissen.
She comes from poor circumstances.
Typical collocations
To describe a personal relationship, 'Verhältnis' (relationship) is often used with the preposition 'zu' (to) + dative. Typical verbs are 'haben' (to have), 'verbessern' (to improve), or 'belasten' (to strain).
EXAMPLE
Ich habe ein angespanntes Verhältnis zu meinem Nachbarn.
I have a tense relationship with my neighbor.
Context: secret affair
In this meaning, 'Verhältnis' (affair) often has a negative or secretive undertone. The typical construction is 'ein Verhältnis mit jemandem haben' (to have an affair with someone).
EXAMPLE
In der Firma wird gemunkelt, dass er ein Verhältnis mit einer Kollegin hat.
People at the company are whispering that he is having an affair with a colleague.
Mathematical proportion
When referring to a proportion, the structure 'im Verhältnis von ... zu ...' (in a ratio of ... to ...) is used. This describes the quantitative ratio between two quantities.
EXAMPLE
Mischen Sie Mehl und Zucker im Verhältnis von zwei zu eins.
Mix flour and sugar in a ratio of two to one.
Fixed expression
The expression 'im Verhältnis zu' (in relation to / compared with) is a fixed unit and means 'verglichen mit' (compared with). The preposition 'zu' is always followed by the dative.
EXAMPLE
Im Verhältnis zu den Kosten ist der Nutzen sehr gering.
In relation to the costs, the benefit is very small.
Compare with
Verhältnis vs Prozent
percent
'Prozent' and 'Verhältnis' can both connect numbers with each other. 'Prozent' gives a share out of one hundred, for example 25 percent. 'Verhältnis' describes more generally how two quantities relate to each other, for example 1 to 3 or 'im Verhältnis zu den Kosten' (in relation to the costs). Learners may confuse the words because a ratio can often be expressed as a percentage. But 'Verhältnis' is broader: it does not always have to be a percentage.
Verhältnis
Das Verhältnis von Wasser zu Saft sollte zwei zu eins sein.
The ratio of water to juice should be two to one.
Prozent
Nur zehn Prozent der Befragten wollten den Termin verschieben.
Only ten percent of the respondents wanted to postpone the appointment.
In real life
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