Kompromiss
masculine
The English word 'compromise' is translated into German as Kompromiss.
The noun Kompromiss refers to a settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions. When using this word in a verb phrase, note that you typically 'close' (einen Kompromiss schließen) or 'find' (einen Kompromiss finden) a compromise in German rather than just 'making' one. Other ways to express related ideas include vermitteln (to adjust and settle by mutual concessions), sich einigen (to bind by mutual agreement) and eine Abmachung machen (to bind by mutual agreement).
Meaning: settlement of differences by arbitration or by consent reached by mutual concessions (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Kompromiss is a masculine noun. Its plural form is Kompromisse. Because Kompromiss is a masculine noun, it takes the accusative ending -en when used as a direct object, such as in 'einen Kompromiss finden'.
Did you know?
- While Kompromiss is neutral in English, the German word Kompromissbereitschaft describes a specific personality trait: the internal willingness and psychological openness to make a compromise.
- The verb vermitteln, used to settle differences, can also mean 'to convey' or 'to mediate' a piece of knowledge or a job, showing that settling a dispute is linguistically linked to bridging a gap.
- In German, the word Kompromiss carries a purely neutral or positive connotation, whereas in English, 'to compromise' can sometimes imply a negative loss of integrity.
Examples in context
- Es war ein Kompromiss.It was a compromise.This sentence uses Kompromiss to state that something was a compromise.Tatoeba #7148223 by Luiaard, translation #2548188 by CK
- Es war ein guter Kompromiss.It was a good compromise.This sentence uses Kompromiss to describe a good compromise.Tatoeba #8873114 by wolfgangth, translation #7725803 by CK
- Gehen Sie einen Kompromiss ein!Make a compromise.This sentence uses Kompromiss to urge someone to make a compromise.Tatoeba #1910672 by al_ex_an_der, translation #11812025 by sundown
- Wir müssen einen Kompromiss finden, der für beide Seiten akzeptabel ist.We need to find a compromise that is acceptable to both sides.
- Die Einigung war nach langen Verhandlungen endlich erreicht.The compromise was finally reached after lengthy negotiations.
- Um eine Lösung zu erzielen, müssen wir einen Mittelweg finden.To achieve a solution, we need to find a compromise.
- Mein Freund und ich mussten einen Kompromiss eingehen, um in Ruhe zusammenzuleben.My friend and I had to compromise to live peacefully together.
- Wir müssen uns darauf einigen, wie wir die Aufgaben gerecht aufteilen.We need to agree on how to divide the tasks fairly.
- Lasst uns eine Lösung in der Mitte finden, mit der wir alle zufrieden sind.Let's find a compromise in the middle where we are all satisfied.
- 40 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Sarah are discussing their holiday plans.
- LukasKönnen wir einen Kompromiss finden?Can we find a compromise?
- SarahJa, ein Kompromiss wäre gut.Yes, a compromise would be good.
- LukasIch schlage diesen Kompromiss vor.I suggest this compromise.
- SarahDas ist ein fairer Kompromiss.That is a fair compromise.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “compromise” translations and entries Kompromiss, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
