TOP 20 Nomen-Verb-Verbindungen B1+ Niveau

Why do Germans "meet" a decision, "put" a question and "step" into force? In this lesson you will learn 20 noun-verb combinations (Nomen-Verb-Verbindungen) that are often used, sometimes hard to understand, or simply very useful. The video is meant for learners who have already reached B1 or higher, because some of the example sentences can be difficult in terms of grammar and vocabulary.

What Are Nomen-Verb-Verbindungen?

A Nomen-Verb-Verbindung is a fixed pair of a noun and a verb. The noun carries the real meaning, while the verb is only a partner that you have to memorize. That is why you cannot simply choose any verb: it is "eine Entscheidung treffen", not "eine Entscheidung machen".

Many of these combinations can be replaced by a single verb ("eine Entscheidung treffen" = "entscheiden"), but the noun-verb version sounds more formal and is very common in writing, at work and in official texts.

The Top 20 Noun-Verb Combinations

1. eine Entscheidung treffen (to make a decision): "Wir müssen bald eine Entscheidung treffen."
2. eine Frage stellen (to ask a question): "Darf ich Ihnen eine Frage stellen?"
3. Rücksicht nehmen auf (to be considerate of): "Bitte nimm mehr Rücksicht auf deine Kollegen."
4. in Betracht ziehen (to consider): "Wir ziehen mehrere Möglichkeiten in Betracht."
5. zur Verfügung stehen (to be available): "Das Auto steht Ihnen jederzeit zur Verfügung."
6. Kontakt aufnehmen (to get in touch): "Ich nehme morgen Kontakt mit Ihnen auf."
7. Abschied nehmen (to say goodbye): "Am Bahnhof nahmen sie Abschied voneinander."
8. eine Rolle spielen (to play a role, to matter): "Geld spielt dabei keine Rolle."
9. einen Vorschlag machen (to make a suggestion): "Ich mache dir einen Vorschlag."
10. Bescheid geben (to let someone know): "Gib mir bitte Bescheid, wenn du ankommst."
11. Stellung nehmen zu (to comment on): "Der Minister nahm zu den Vorwürfen Stellung."
12. Anspruch haben auf (to be entitled to): "Du hast Anspruch auf Urlaub."
13. in Kraft treten (to come into effect): "Das neue Gesetz tritt nächsten Monat in Kraft."
14. zur Sprache kommen (to come up (in discussion)): "Dieses Thema kam in der Sitzung nicht zur Sprache."
15. Verantwortung übernehmen (to take responsibility): "Sie übernimmt die Verantwortung für das Projekt."
16. Einfluss nehmen auf (to influence): "Die Medien nehmen Einfluss auf unsere Meinung."
17. unter Beweis stellen (to prove, to demonstrate): "Im Test stellte er sein Können unter Beweis."
18. in Frage stellen (to question, to call into question): "Niemand stellt seine Entscheidung in Frage."
19. Abstand nehmen von (to refrain from, to distance oneself from): "Von diesem Plan haben wir Abstand genommen."
20. zum Ausdruck bringen (to express): "Er brachte seinen Dank zum Ausdruck."

Tips for Learning Them

• Learn them as a unit. Always memorize noun, verb and any preposition together.
• Notice the article. Some combinations have no article (Kontakt aufnehmen), others have a fixed one (in Kraft treten, zur Verfügung stehen).
• Look for the single-verb version. It helps you understand the meaning, but do not forget that the noun-verb version is the more formal one.
• Watch for them in texts. News articles, emails from your bank or the authorities and business German are full of them.

Häufig gestellte Fragen (FAQ)

What are Nomen-Verb-Verbindungen?

They are fixed combinations of a noun and a verb, such as eine Entscheidung treffen or in Kraft treten. The noun carries the main meaning, while the verb is often fairly empty and has to be learned together with the noun.

Can I replace a Nomen-Verb-Verbindung with a single verb?

Often yes: eine Entscheidung treffen means the same as entscheiden. But the noun-verb version sounds more formal and is very common in written German, at work and in official texts.

Why can't I choose the verb myself?

The verb in these combinations is fixed. You say eine Entscheidung treffen, not eine Entscheidung machen. That is why it is best to learn the noun and the verb as one unit.

Which level are Nomen-Verb-Verbindungen?

They appear from B1 onwards and become especially important at B2 and above, in exams, at work and when reading news or formal texts.

How can I practice them?

Write one example sentence for each combination, try to replace them with a single verb where possible, and pay attention to them when you read German texts.

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