zusammen
together
Together with one or more other people; in company.
EXAMPLE
Wir wollen am Wochenende zusammen kochen.
We want to cook together on the weekend.
zusammen
together
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Meanings
zusammen
in total
Indicates a sum or total amount; altogether.
EXAMPLE
Das macht dann zusammen 25 Euro, bitte.
That comes to 25 euros in total, please.
zusammen sein
to be together
To be in a steady romantic relationship with each other.
EXAMPLE
Anna und Paul sind schon seit drei Jahren zusammen.
Anna and Paul have been together for three years already.
Usage tips
As a separable prefix
'Zusammen' (together) can serve as a separable prefix for many verbs and then means that the action is carried out together. Examples are 'zusammenarbeiten' (to work together), 'zusammenfassen' (to summarize), or 'zusammenleben' (to live together).
EXAMPLE
Können Sie die wichtigsten Punkte bitte zusammenfassen?
Could you please summarize the most important points?
Context clue: payment
In the meaning 'in total', 'zusammen' is almost always used in the context of bills, prices, or counting things. The question 'Zusammen oder getrennt?' (Together or separate?) is typical in restaurants.
EXAMPLE
Die Getränke kosten zusammen 12,50 Euro.
The drinks cost 12.50 euros in total.
Fixed expression
The phrase 'zusammen sein' (to be together) means to be in a romantic relationship. It does not only describe being in the same place.
EXAMPLE
Wie lange seid ihr beiden eigentlich schon zusammen?
How long have you two actually been together?
Compare with
zusammen vs insgesamt
overall
With several amounts, both zusammen and insgesamt can work. Zusammen draws attention to adding up the individual amounts, while insgesamt emphasizes the result or the total amount. Use zusammen when you are calculating and insgesamt when you are summarizing the completed total.
zusammen
Die beiden Fahrkarten kosten zusammen 24 Euro.
The two tickets cost 24 euros together.
insgesamt
Für die beiden Fahrkarten bezahlen wir insgesamt 24 Euro.
We are paying a total of 24 euros for the two tickets.
In real life
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