übereinkommen
To agree
حرفيًا: To come over-one
Use it when you and someone else finally settle on a formal, shared decision.
في 15 ثانية
- To reach a mutual agreement after a discussion or negotiation.
- Used with the helping verb 'sein' in the past tense.
- Best for professional contexts or serious personal decisions.
المعنى
To reach a mutual agreement or consensus after a discussion. It feels like two paths finally meeting at a single point after some negotiation.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Closing a business deal
Wir sind schließlich übereingekommen, die Firma zu verkaufen.
We finally agreed to sell the company.
A couple deciding on a house
Nach langem Hin und Her kamen sie überein, das Haus zu kaufen.
After much back and forth, they agreed to buy the house.
Texting a colleague about a meeting
Sind wir uns dahingehend übereingekommen, den Termin zu verschieben?
Did we agree to postpone the appointment?
خلفية ثقافية
In German culture, reaching a consensus (Konsens) is highly valued, especially in business and politics. The word 'übereinkommen' reflects the legalistic and precise nature of German communication, where a verbal agreement often carries the weight of a formal contract.
The 'Sein' Rule
Always remember that this verb uses 'sein' (to be) in the past tense, not 'haben'. It's a common trap for English speakers!
Don't Overuse It
If you use this for choosing a pizza topping, Germans might think you're being sarcastic or overly dramatic.
في 15 ثانية
- To reach a mutual agreement after a discussion or negotiation.
- Used with the helping verb 'sein' in the past tense.
- Best for professional contexts or serious personal decisions.
What It Means
Imagine you and a friend are debating where to go on vacation.
After an hour, you both decide on Italy.
You didn't just say "okay."
You reached a mutual understanding after a process.
That is übereinkommen.
It is about two paths finally meeting at one point.
It sounds more official than a simple "ja."
Think of it as "reaching a consensus."
It is the verbal handshake after a long talk.
How To Use It
This is a separable verb in German.
That means the überein part jumps to the end.
For example: "Wir kommen morgen darüber überein."
In the past tense, it uses sein as the helping verb.
"Wir sind übereingekommen."
You often follow it with a dass-clause.
"Wir kamen überein, dass wir mehr sparen müssen."
It is elegant and makes you sound very articulate.
Don't use it for tiny things like picking a movie.
Save it for decisions that actually matter to you.
When To Use It
Use it in professional settings or serious personal talks.
It is perfect for business meetings or legal contexts.
"Die Parteien sind übereingekommen, den Vertrag zu unterzeichnen."
You can also use it when settling a dispute.
It shows that both sides gave a little bit.
It is great for summarizing a long discussion.
"Schön, dass wir hier übereinkommen konnten."
It adds a layer of respect to the agreement.
It implies a shared journey to the final decision.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this at a loud bar with friends.
If someone asks "Pizza or Pasta?", don't say übereinkommen.
It sounds like you are writing a peace treaty for lunch.
Stick to sich einigen or "abgemacht" for casual stuff.
Also, do not use it if only one person is deciding.
It requires at least two people to "come together."
If you are just agreeing with an opinion, use zustimmen.
Übereinkommen is for the result of a process, not a feeling.
Cultural Background
Germany is a culture of consensus and "Ordnung."
People like to have things clearly stated and agreed upon.
This verb reflects that need for a solid conclusion.
Historically, it is linked to legal and diplomatic language.
It implies a level of maturity and cooperation.
In a German office, reaching an Übereinkunft is a milestone.
It means the talking is over and action begins.
It is the "seal of approval" on a shared idea.
It shows you value the other person's input.
Common Variations
The most common noun form is die Übereinkunft.
You will see this in news headlines about international treaties.
Another variation is übereinstimmen, which means "to match."
If your opinions match, you stimmen überein.
If you reach a deal, you kommen überein.
It is a subtle but important difference in German logic.
You might also hear einverstanden sein for "I agree."
But übereinkommen is the heavy hitter for big decisions.
It sounds sophisticated and very "B2 level."
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This verb is firmly in the formal to neutral register. It is perfect for B2/C1 exams and professional environments. Avoid using it for trivial, everyday choices unless you want to sound humorous.
The 'Sein' Rule
Always remember that this verb uses 'sein' (to be) in the past tense, not 'haben'. It's a common trap for English speakers!
Don't Overuse It
If you use this for choosing a pizza topping, Germans might think you're being sarcastic or overly dramatic.
The Consensus Culture
Germans value the process of 'Aushandeln' (negotiating). Using 'übereinkommen' acknowledges that both parties worked to find a middle ground.
أمثلة
6Wir sind schließlich übereingekommen, die Firma zu verkaufen.
We finally agreed to sell the company.
Uses the perfect tense with 'sein' to show a final decision.
Nach langem Hin und Her kamen sie überein, das Haus zu kaufen.
After much back and forth, they agreed to buy the house.
The 'Hin und Her' emphasizes the process before the agreement.
Sind wir uns dahingehend übereingekommen, den Termin zu verschieben?
Did we agree to postpone the appointment?
Slightly formal for a text, but very clear and precise.
Mein Hund und ich sind übereingekommen, dass er das Sofa besitzt.
My dog and I have agreed that he owns the sofa.
Using a formal word for a silly situation creates humor.
Die Anwälte kamen überein, den Prozess zu beenden.
The lawyers agreed to end the trial.
Classic legal usage of the verb.
Wir kamen überein, dass jeder seinen eigenen Flug bucht.
We agreed that everyone would book their own flight.
Sets a clear rule for the group.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the correct form of the verb in the past tense (Perfekt).
Wir ___ uns schließlich ___, das Projekt zu starten.
In German, 'übereinkommen' always takes 'sein' as the auxiliary verb in the perfect tense.
Choose the correct prefix for the sentence: 'Wir kommen morgen darüber ___.'
Wir kommen morgen darüber ___.
The verb is 'übereinkommen', and since it is separable, the prefix 'überein' goes to the end.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'Agreeing'
Used with friends for small things.
Abgemacht!
Standard way to say you agree.
Sich einigen
Reaching a consensus or official deal.
Übereinkommen
Legal or diplomatic treaties.
Eine Übereinkunft treffen
Where to use Übereinkommen
Business Meeting
Agreeing on a budget.
Inheritance/Law
Dividing assets.
Serious Relationship Talk
Deciding to move in together.
Group Travel
Setting a departure time.
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلة'Zustimmen' means you agree with an opinion or a person. 'Übereinkommen' means two or more people have reached a joint decision together.
Yes, it is. In a main clause, the 'überein' part goes to the very end, like in Wir kommen heute überein.
You can, but it sounds very deliberate. It's better for when you've finally finished a long discussion about plans: Schön, dass wir übereingekommen sind!
Yes, die Übereinkunft. It means 'the agreement' or 'the consensus,' often used in professional or legal contexts.
No, unlike sich einigen, übereinkommen is not reflexive. You just say Wir sind übereingekommen.
You often use dahingehend (to the effect that) or simply a dass-clause. You can also use über for the topic: Wir kamen über den Preis überein.
It is used in both, but it's more common in formal writing or structured meetings than in casual chit-chat.
No, for matching data or opinions, use übereinstimmen. Übereinkommen is specifically for the act of reaching an agreement.
It is always sein. Example: Wir sind übereingekommen.
Using it like 'agree' in English for simple opinions. Don't say Ich komme mit dir überein for 'I agree with you'; say Ich stimme dir zu instead.
عبارات ذات صلة
sich einigen
to reach an agreement (more common/neutral)
zustimmen
to agree with someone/something
einverstanden sein
to be in agreement / to be okay with something
eine Abmachung treffen
to make a deal
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