Walking into a meeting conducted in German can feel like stepping onto a stage where everyone else already knows the script. The good news is that business meetings run on a surprisingly fixed set of phrases. Learn the german meeting phrases professional speakers rely on — to open, to steer the discussion, to disagree without offending, and to close with decisions — and you will sound competent long before your German is perfect.
The 40 phrases below are grouped by meeting phase. Each one comes with a natural English translation, a note on exactly when to use it, and a short example sentence so you can hear how it sounds in context. All of them use the formal Sie form, which is the safe default in German business life. For the unwritten rules around these phrases, our German business etiquette rules guide is a useful companion.
German Meeting Phrases for a Professional Opening
The first two minutes set the tone. These phrases get the meeting started, confirm who is there, and show you are in control of the room.
1. Können wir anfangen? — Can we start?
The standard, friendly way to kick off once everyone is seated and settled. It is a question rather than a command, which makes it polite even when you are the most junior person in the room. Example: „Können wir anfangen? Herr Weber wartet schon.” (Can we start? Mr. Weber is already waiting.)
2. Lassen Sie uns beginnen. — Let’s begin.
A touch more formal and decisive than the question form — good when you are chairing and want to signal that small talk is over. Example: „Lassen Sie uns beginnen. Wir haben viel vor heute.” (Let’s begin. We have a lot to get through today.)
3. Ich eröffne die Sitzung. — I declare the meeting open.
Very formal; use it for official sessions like board meetings or works council sessions, not the weekly team standup. Example: „Ich eröffne die Sitzung um 10 Uhr.” (I declare the meeting open at 10 o’clock.)
4. Ist jemand entschuldigt? — Is anyone excused?
Ask this right after opening, before diving into the agenda. It shows you run a proper meeting and keeps the attendance record clean. Example: „Ist jemand entschuldigt? Frau Meyer fehlt.” (Is anyone excused? Ms. Meyer is absent.)
5. Ich schlage eine kurze Vorstellungsrunde vor. — I suggest a quick round of introductions.
Perfect when guests, clients, or new colleagues are present. It takes two minutes and prevents the awkwardness of strangers negotiating for an hour. Example: „Da wir Gäste haben, schlage ich eine kurze Vorstellungsrunde vor.” (Since we have guests, I suggest a quick round of introductions.)
Running the Discussion
Once the meeting is rolling, these phrases keep the conversation structured and invite input — the mark of a professional chair. Pair them with the German idioms for work and business colleagues actually use, and you’ll follow even fast native discussion.
6. Das Protokoll der letzten Sitzung liegt vor. — The minutes of the last meeting are available.
Say this before approving them, then follow with „Gibt es Anmerkungen zum Protokoll?” (Any comments on the minutes?). In German companies the minutes are a real document with real consequences, so this step matters.
7. Zum ersten Tagesordnungspunkt… — To the first agenda item…
Tagesordnungspunkt is almost always shortened to TOP in spoken German: „Kommen wir zu TOP 2.” Using TOP immediately marks you as someone who knows how German meetings work.
8. Ich möchte vorschlagen, dass wir… — I’d like to suggest that we…
The polite way to introduce a proposal. It is deliberately softer than „Ich schlage vor”, which can sound like a demand. Example: „Ich möchte vorschlagen, dass wir das Budget erhöhen.” (I’d like to suggest that we increase the budget.)
9. Was halten Sie davon? — What do you think of it?
Invites opinions without putting anyone on the spot. It is open, neutral, and one of the most-used professional phrases in German meetings. Example: „Was halten Sie von dem neuen Zeitplan?” (What do you think of the new schedule?)
10. Sind Sie damit einverstanden? — Do you agree with that?
Use it when you need explicit consent before moving on — for example before closing a topic. Silence in German meetings is ambiguous; this phrase removes the ambiguity.
11. Ich bin dafür. / Ich bin dagegen. — I’m for it. / I’m against it.
Short, clear, and completely standard in votes and decisions. Germans value a clear position over vague hedging, so pick one. Example: „Ich bin dafür, aber mit einer Bedingung.” (I’m for it, but with one condition.)
12. Könnten wir bitte bei der Sache bleiben? — Could we please stay on topic?
The polite brake for tangents and side discussions. Smile when you say it and it lands as facilitation, not criticism. Example: „Interessant, aber könnten wir bitte bei der Sache bleiben?”
13. Dazu möchte ich Folgendes anmerken… — On that, I’d like to note the following…
A smooth way to insert your point without interrupting the speaker. It signals that you are adding to the topic, not changing it.
German Meeting Phrases Professional Teams Actually Use: Disagreeing Politely
Disagreeing in German business culture is expected — but the packaging matters. Directness is fine; rudeness is not. These phrases keep it professional.
14. Könnten Sie das bitte wiederholen? — Could you repeat that, please?
Use it freely. Asking for repetition signals careful listening, not weakness — and in a second language it is simply smart. Example: „Könnten Sie das bitte wiederholen? Ich habe die Zahl nicht verstanden.”
15. Darf ich Sie kurz unterbrechen? — May I interrupt you briefly?
The polite interruption formula. Germans appreciate the permission-asking first; it turns an interruption into a courtesy. Example: „Darf ich Sie kurz unterbrechen? Dazu habe ich aktuelle Zahlen.”
16. Könnten Sie das bitte genauer erläutern? — Could you explain that in more detail, please?
Better than pretending you understood. It shows engagement and often helps native speakers too, who may have been equally lost.
17. Ich verstehe Ihren Standpunkt, aber… — I see your point, but…
The classic softener: acknowledge first, then pivot to your own view. This single sentence structure will carry half of your disagreements. Example: „Ich verstehe Ihren Standpunkt, aber die Kosten sind zu hoch.”
18. Das sehe ich anders. — I see it differently.
Short, honest, and professional. No apology needed — in German work culture, a clear contrary view is respected. Example: „Das sehe ich anders. Die Daten sprechen dagegen.” (I see it differently. The data speaks against it.)
19. Damit bin ich nicht einverstanden. — I don’t agree with that.
Clear and final-sounding; use it when your position is firm and the matter needs a decision. Example: „Damit bin ich nicht einverstanden. Wir brauchen mehr Zeit.”
20. Ich stimme Ihnen zu. — I agree with you.
Say it explicitly. In German meetings, silent agreement is often read as having no opinion, so voicing support matters. Example: „Ich stimme Ihnen zu, das ist der richtige Weg.”
21. Guter Punkt. — Good point.
Two words that build enormous goodwill. Use them generously — acknowledging others’ contributions is a quiet power move in any meeting culture.
Assigning Action Items and Deadlines
Meetings that end without clear next steps are a German manager’s nightmare. These phrases make sure things actually get done.
22. Lassen Sie mich zusammenfassen… — Let me summarize…
Signals that you are wrapping up a topic and locking in what was decided. Whoever summarizes controls the record — a subtle but real advantage.
23. Wer übernimmt das? — Who will take care of that?
Direct and effective. In German work culture, tasks without a named owner simply do not happen, so ask the question out loud. Example: „Wer übernimmt das Angebot bis Freitag?”
24. Wer ist dafür zuständig? — Who’s responsible for that?
A step firmer than the previous phrase; use it when accountability genuinely needs a name attached. Example: „Wer ist für die Kundenpräsentation zuständig?”
25. Bis wann ist das machbar? — By when is that doable?
Machbar (doable) is a wonderfully German word — practical, realistic, no drama. It asks for a commitment without pressure. Example: „Bis wann ist der Entwurf machbar?”
26. Bis wann brauchen Sie eine Rückmeldung? — By when do you need feedback?
Ask this of others so deadlines run both ways. It shows reliability and keeps projects moving on both sides.
27. Können wir das als Aktion festhalten? — Can we record that as an action item?
Makes sure the task lands in the minutes with an owner and a deadline, not just in everyone’s fuzzy memory. Example: „Können wir das als Aktion für Herrn Schmidt festhalten?”
28. Wir sollten das vertagen. — We should postpone that.
For topics that need more data, the right people in the room, or simply cooler heads. Postponing is not failure — it is process. Example: „Wir sollten das auf nächste Woche vertagen.”
Closing the Meeting: German Meeting Phrases Professional Speakers Swear By
Endings matter as much as openings. These phrases bring the meeting to a clean, professional close.
29. Lassen Sie uns zum nächsten Punkt übergehen. — Let’s move on to the next item.
Keeps momentum when a topic is genuinely done and discussion starts circling. A chair’s best friend.
30. Können wir das nächste Thema besprechen? — Can we discuss the next topic?
The gentler version — a nudge rather than a ruling. Works well when you are not chairing but can see time slipping away.
31. Wir liegen gut in der Zeit. — We’re on schedule.
Reassuring for everyone; say it when the agenda is flowing. Germans notice and appreciate time discipline being acknowledged.
32. Wir sind etwas in Zeitverzug. — We’re running a bit behind schedule.
The honest version. Flag it early rather than rushing the last three agenda items in five minutes. Example: „Wir sind in Zeitverzug — können wir die Punkte 4 und 5 zusammenfassen?”
33. Gibt es Einwände? — Any objections?
Ask before finalizing a decision. In German meeting logic, silence after this question means consent — which is exactly why you ask it.
34. Ich muss leider gleich los. — I have to leave shortly, unfortunately.
The graceful early exit. Leider (unfortunately) does all the softening work; nobody will hold it against you. Example: „Ich muss leider um 11 Uhr los.”
35. Haben Sie noch Fragen? — Any more questions?
The standard pre-closing check. Ask it, pause properly, and only then move to the thanks.
36. Zusammenfassend lässt sich sagen… — In summary, it can be said…
A formal wrap-up phrase; great for distilling a long discussion into two sentences before the final thanks.
37. Vielen Dank für Ihre Aufmerksamkeit. — Thank you for your attention.
Works for presentations and formal meetings alike. Simple, correct, and always appropriate as a closing line.
38. Das war ein produktives Meeting. — That was a productive meeting.
A positive closing note; Germans genuinely value this verdict. Say it when it is true — it reinforces good meeting habits.
39. Ich schicke Ihnen das Protokoll zu. — I’ll send you the minutes.
Commit to it on the spot, then actually do it the same day. Fast minutes are a quiet mark of professionalism — and our guide on how to write a business email in German has the exact phrases for sending them.
40. Die Sitzung ist beendet. — The meeting is adjourned.
The official full stop. Use it when you chair formal sessions to make the ending unambiguous.
Key Takeaways
- These 40 german meeting phrases professional speakers use will carry you through any meeting: opening, discussion, polite disagreement, action items, and closing.
- Default to the formal Sie form, soften disagreement with an acknowledgement first (Ich verstehe Ihren Standpunkt, aber…), and always attach a name to every action item.
- Practice the phrases for your role: chairs need the steering phrases, participants need the input and clarification ones.
- Keep building your workplace German with essential German business vocabulary and our guide to German business culture explained.