to negotiate / to hear
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to negotiate
To talk and discuss with someone in order to reach an agreement, often in business or political contexts.
Die Gewerkschaften verhandeln mit den Arbeitgebern über höhere Löhne.
The unions are negotiating with the employers about higher wages.
to hear
To formally handle and discuss a legal case in court in order to reach a judgment.
Der Fall wird nächste Woche vor dem Landgericht verhandelt.
The case will be heard next week before the regional court.
to trade
To trade, buy, or sell goods or securities. This meaning is often used in financial contexts.
An der Börse werden täglich Aktien im Wert von Milliarden Euro verhandelt.
Shares worth billions of euros are traded on the stock exchange every day.
When negotiating, it is important to use the right prepositions: you negotiate 'mit' someone (dative) 'über' a topic (accusative).
Wir verhandeln mit dem Kunden über den Preis.
We are negotiating with the customer about the price.
The context shows the exact meaning: 'mit Partnern' (with partners) or 'über Preise' (about prices) points to negotiations. 'Vor Gericht' (in court) refers to a legal case. 'An der Börse' (on the stock exchange) signals the trading of securities.
Der Mordfall wird ab Montag vor dem Landgericht verhandelt.
The murder case will be heard before the regional court starting Monday.
'Verhandeln' (to negotiate / to hear / to trade) is an inseparable verb. The prefix 'ver-' is never separated from the stem 'handeln' (to act / to trade), not even in a main clause.
Morgen verhandelt er die Vertragsdetails mit der neuen Firma.
Tomorrow he will negotiate the contract details with the new company.
In financial contexts, 'verhandeln' (to trade) is often used in the passive to describe that goods or securities are being traded. The subject is then the good itself.
Gold wird an den internationalen Märkten in US-Dollar verhandelt.
Gold is traded in US dollars on international markets.
to act / trade
When trying to get a lower price, both words can fit, but „handeln“ specifically means haggling. „Verhandeln“ is broader and refers to discussions aimed at reaching an agreement, for example about the price and terms. Use „handeln“ at a market when focusing on the price, and „verhandeln“ when several points are involved.
Beim Kauf des Fahrrads verhandelte sie über den Preis und die Zahlungsbedingungen.
When buying the bicycle, she negotiated the price and payment terms.
Auf dem Flohmarkt handelte sie lange, bis der Verkäufer den Preis senkte.
At the flea market, she haggled for a long time until the seller lowered the price.
