contract
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contract
A formal and often written agreement between two or more people or organizations that is legally binding.
Bevor du den Arbeitsvertrag unterschreibst, solltest du ihn genau durchlesen.
Before you sign the employment contract, you should read it carefully.
The word 'Vertrag' (contract) is related to the verb 'sich vertragen' (to get along / make peace). A contract is the result of an agreement in which the parties have 'sich vertragen' (come to an agreement).
Nach langer Diskussion haben sich die beiden Parteien endlich vertragen.
After a long discussion, the two parties finally made peace.
In connection with 'Vertrag' (contract), there are fixed verbs for its life cycle. You can 'abschließen' (conclude), 'unterschreiben' (sign), 'verlängern' (extend), 'erfüllen' (fulfill), or 'kündigen' (terminate) a contract.
Wir müssen den Mietvertrag nächsten Monat kündigen.
We have to terminate the rental contract next month.
To name the partners and the content of a contract, you often use the prepositions 'mit' (with) and 'über' (about / concerning). The pattern is: 'ein Vertrag mit (dative) über (accusative)' (a contract with ... about ...).
Das Unternehmen schloss einen Vertrag mit dem Lieferanten über die Lieferung von Rohstoffen ab.
The company concluded a contract with the supplier for the delivery of raw materials.
deal
'der Vertrag' and 'der Deal' can both mean an agreement between people or companies. 'Vertrag' sounds formal and is often written and legally important. You use it, for example, for work, rent, or purchases. 'Deal' often sounds more casual or business-like and can also be a simple agreement in everyday life. Learners may confuse the words because both express that people agree on something. If it is official and binding, 'Vertrag' fits better. If it sounds informal or colloquial, 'Deal' is more likely to fit.
Nach dem Gespräch hat der Kunde den Vertrag unterschrieben.
After the meeting, the customer signed the contract.
Sarah macht mit ihrem Bruder einen Deal: Er kocht, und sie räumt die Küche auf.
Sarah makes a deal with her brother: he cooks, and she cleans up the kitchen.