Mastering German 🇩🇪 skills at work

We’ve all been there—you’ve been learning German for a while, and you can read and understand most things. You’re no longer thrown off by "siebenundzwanzig" (seven-and-twenty) for 27, and you confidently tell the cashier at Lidl, "Mit Karte, bitte." But real-life conversations, especially when people speak quickly and unclearly, are a different story. After all, we don’t always speak our native language like a professional announcer, right?

So, when a colleague says something you don’t catch, politely ask them to repeat: "Nochmal, bitte," or humorously, "Ich glaube, mein Deutsch ist gerade nicht so schnell wie du, könntest du das noch einmal wiederholen?" (I think my German isn’t as fast as you right now, could you repeat that?).

But how can you make these situations easier and communicate more effectively in the workplace? Here are a few tips:

- Small Talk in Germany 🌦️🗣️: Germans may not indulge in small talk as much as other cultures, but when they do, it’s often about current events, the weather, or hobbies. Having a few go-to topics in German (and learning some vocabulary for such a conversation) can make these casual chats smoother and help build connections.

- Responding to "Wie geht’s?" 🤝😊: In Germany, “Wie geht’s?” is more than just a formality. It’s common to respond with more than a simple “gut” (good). Offering a bit more information about how you’re doing or how your day is going can create a genuine connection and open the door for further conversation.

- Language Tandem 💬🤓: A language tandem is a mutual exchange where two people, each wanting to learn the other's language, meet regularly to practice. For example, you could meet with a German colleague who wants to improve their English while you work on your German.

With these tips, you'll navigate workplace conversations in German with more confidence and ease. Viel Erfolg! 🇩🇪✨

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