zusammenkommen
to come together
To meet or gather in one place.
EXAMPLE
Die ganze Familie ist zu Weihnachten zusammengekommen.
The whole family came together for Christmas.
zusammenkommen
to come together
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Meanings
zusammenkommen
to come together
To accumulate into a certain sum or amount.
EXAMPLE
Bei der Spendenaktion sind über 10.000 Euro zusammengekommen.
Over 10,000 euros came together during the fundraising campaign.
zusammenkommen
to get together
To begin a romantic relationship or partnership.
EXAMPLE
Sie waren lange befreundet, bevor sie zusammengekommen sind.
They were friends for a long time before they got together.
zusammenkommen
to come together
To occur simultaneously or jointly, often in reference to circumstances or events.
EXAMPLE
Da sind wirklich viele unglückliche Zufälle zusammengekommen.
A lot of unfortunate coincidences really came together there.
Usage tips
Separable verb
'Zusammenkommen' (to come together) is a separable verb. The prefix 'zusammen-' goes to the end in a main clause. In subordinate clauses and in the infinitive with 'zu', the verb stays together.
EXAMPLE
Morgen kommt der Vorstand zu einer wichtigen Sitzung zusammen.
Tomorrow the board is coming together for an important meeting.
Common mistake: perfect tense with 'sein'
Since 'zusammenkommen' (to come together) describes movement or a change of state, the perfect tense is always formed with the auxiliary verb 'sein' (to be), not with 'haben' (to have).
EXAMPLE
Letzte Woche sind wir im Park zusammengekommen.
Last week we came together in the park.
Context clue
The subject of the sentence reveals the meaning: if it is people, it is about a meeting. If it is money or an amount, it is about accumulation. If it is two people, it can mean a romantic relationship. If it is circumstances, they occur at the same time.
EXAMPLE
Bei dem Projekt kamen viele Probleme zusammen.
Many problems came together in the project.
Use for money
When referring to money or other amounts, 'zusammenkommen' (to come together) describes the result of a collection. The source is often named with 'bei' (at/during) or 'durch' (through).
EXAMPLE
Beim Kuchenverkauf in der Schule sind 200 Euro zusammengekommen.
At the cake sale at school, 200 euros came together.
Beginning a relationship
In colloquial language, 'zusammenkommen' (to get together) is a very common way to say that two people have become a couple.
EXAMPLE
Wusstest du, dass Anna und Paul zusammengekommen sind?
Did you know that Anna and Paul got together?
Compare with
zusammenkommen vs versammeln
to gather
Both verbs can express a group meeting at a particular place. „Sich versammeln“ presents the group as a gathered assembly, often with a shared purpose. „Zusammenkommen“ more neutrally describes people meeting; in many everyday sentences, both words are possible.
zusammenkommen
Vor der Demonstration kamen die Teilnehmer auf dem Marktplatz zusammen.
Before the demonstration, the participants came together in the marketplace.
versammeln
Vor der Demonstration versammelten sich die Teilnehmer auf dem Marktplatz.
Before the demonstration, the participants gathered in the marketplace.
In real life
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