zusammen sein

You use this phrase by conjugating the verb sein. Use ich bin, du bist, wir sind, and so on. Place zusammen either before or after the verb depending on the sentence. In a simple statement, it usually comes at the end. For example, Wir wollen heute zusammen sein. It is very flexible with time expressions. You can add schon lange to show a long-term relationship. It feels natural and unforced in almost any sentence structure. Just remember that zusammen stays the same while sein changes.

Use it when meeting friends at a cozy cafe. Use it when a waiter asks if the bill is shared. It is perfect for texting a friend to see if they are free. In romantic contexts, it is the 'official' status. If someone asks Seid ihr zusammen?, they are being nosy about your love life. It is also great for family gatherings. It emphasizes the group rather than the individuals. Use it whenever the focus is on the collective experience. It warms up a conversation instantly.

Do not use it for inanimate objects in a box. For things, use liegen or sein with a location. Avoid using it in very stiff, technical business reports. In those cases, gemeinsam or kooperieren sounds more professional. Don't use it if you just mean 'also'. That would be auch. If you are just walking past someone, you aren't zusammen. It implies a shared purpose or a shared state. Using it for a brief, accidental encounter sounds a bit creepy. Keep it for intentional connections.

Germans deeply value Gemeinsamkeit, which means togetherness or sense of community. This phrase reflects that social fabric. In the 1960s and 70s, it became the standard way to describe 'unmarried couples'. Before that, terms were often more formal or judgmental. Today, it is a neutral, safe term for any kind of partnership. It avoids the heavy weight of 'marriage' while still sounding committed. There is a certain 'Gemütlichkeit' (coziness) associated with being zusammen. It suggests a safe, shared social space.

You will often hear zusammenkommen. This means 'to get together' or 'to meet up'. Then there is zusammenbleiben, which means 'to stay together'. If you want to be more formal, you might use gemeinsam. In slang, younger people might say wir hängen zusammen ab. This means 'we are hanging out together'. Another variation is zusammensein written as one word. This usually functions as a noun, like das Zusammensein. This refers to the concept of togetherness itself.