promise
Loading your saved state.
promise
An assurance or vow to do or refrain from doing something specific. Often used synonymously with 'das Versprechen' (promise), sometimes with the connotation that it might be empty words.
Er machte viele Versprechungen, aber hielt nur wenige davon.
He made many promises, but kept only a few of them.
The noun 'die Versprechung' (promise) is derived from the verb 'versprechen' (to promise). The ending '-ung' is often used in German to form a feminine noun from a verb.
Ihre Versprechung, pünktlich zu sein, hat sie nicht gehalten.
She did not keep her promise to be on time.
Common verbs used with 'Versprechung' (promise) are 'eine Versprechung machen' (to make a promise), 'eine Versprechung halten' (to keep a promise), or the opposite 'eine Versprechung brechen' (to break a promise).
Einem Kind eine Versprechung zu machen, ist eine große Verantwortung.
Making a promise to a child is a big responsibility.
When indicating to whom something is promised, that person or group is in the dative. The structure is: 'jemandem eine Versprechung machen' (to make someone a promise).
Der Politiker machte den Bürgern viele Versprechungen.
The politician made many promises to the citizens.
The word 'Versprechung' (promise) can sometimes have a negative connotation and suggest that an assurance is not meant seriously or is perceived as empty talk.
Das waren doch alles nur leere Versprechungen!
Those were all just empty promises!
to promise
Both versprechen and Versprechung can refer to a promise or vow. Versprechen is the usual neutral form for a personal promise, while Versprechung is less common and sometimes suggests empty or broken words. For an ordinary promise, versprechen is therefore usually the better choice.
Seine Versprechung, sie morgen zu besuchen, klang für sie wie leere Worte.
His promise to visit her tomorrow sounded like empty words to her.
Er verspricht seiner Mutter, sie morgen zu besuchen.
He promises his mother that he will visit her tomorrow.
