German · Upper intermediate (B2) · Chapter 2 of 12
Work in depth
Das Jahresgespräch
Handle an annual review in German: give and react to feedback, negotiate politely, use modal verbs with nuance and set noun-verb phrases.
In this chapter you'll learn to
- Give and react to feedback at work
- Ask for something politely and negotiate
- Use sollen, dürfte and müsste to say what you've heard or expect
- Use set phrases like eine Entscheidung treffen
Listen
In Braunschweig, Jana Wolff (29), who works in marketing for a bicycle maker, has her annual review with her boss, Herr Brandt (55). Listen to the whole dialogue first, then line by line.
Herr Brandt
Frau Wolff, schön, dass Sie Zeit haben. Zuerst mal: Ich bin mit Ihrer Arbeit sehr zufrieden. Die Kampagne für unser neues E-Bike war ein großer Erfolg.
Ms Wolff, thank you for making the time. First of all: I'm very happy with your work. The campaign for our new e-bike was a great success.
Jana Wolff
Vielen Dank, das freut mich. Gibt es auch etwas, das ich besser machen könnte?
Thank you very much, I'm glad to hear it. Is there anything I could do better?
Herr Brandt
Ja, da gibt es etwas. Bei Problemen geben Sie mir manchmal sehr spät Bescheid. Ich würde mir wünschen, dass Sie früher zu mir kommen.
Yes, there is something. When there are problems, you sometimes let me know very late. I'd like you to come to me sooner.
Jana Wolff
Da haben Sie recht. Ich wollte die Probleme immer zuerst ohne Hilfe lösen. In Zukunft sage ich Ihnen früher Bescheid.
You're right. I always wanted to solve the problems on my own first. In future I'll let you know sooner.
Herr Brandt
Gut. Und was wünschen Sie sich für das nächste Jahr?
Good. And what would you like for next year?
Jana Wolff
Ich hätte zwei Anliegen. Erstens würde ich gern zwei Tage pro Woche im Homeoffice arbeiten. Ich wohne in Wolfsburg und brauche jeden Tag eine Stunde ins Büro.
I have two requests. First, I'd like to work from home two days a week. I live in Wolfsburg, and it takes me an hour to get to the office every day.
Herr Brandt
Das dürfte kein Problem sein. Sie brauchen nicht jeden Tag hier zu sein. Nur montags sollten Sie für die Besprechung im Büro sein.
That shouldn't be a problem. You don't need to be here every day. You should just be in the office on Mondays for the meeting.
Jana Wolff
Selbstverständlich. Zweitens: Im Frühling soll ein neues Projekt in Schweden starten. Käme ich als Projektleiterin dafür infrage?
Of course. Second: a new project in Sweden is supposed to start in the spring. Would I be considered as project manager?
Herr Brandt
Die Entscheidung trifft die Geschäftsführung im Januar. Sie müssten eigentlich gute Chancen haben. Allerdings soll Herr Kurz aus dem Vertrieb auch Interesse haben.
The management will make the decision in January. You ought to have a good chance. Mind you, I hear Mr Kurz from sales is interested too.
Jana Wolff
Verstehe. Dann mache ich Ihnen bis Freitag einen Vorschlag, wie ich das Projekt organisieren würde.
I see. Then by Friday I'll put together a proposal for how I would organise the project.
Herr Brandt
Sehr gut. Und wenn Sie Fragen haben, stehe ich Ihnen gern zur Verfügung.
Very good. And if you have any questions, I'm happy to help.
Jana Wolff
Vielen Dank, Herr Brandt. Das Gespräch war sehr hilfreich.
Thank you very much, Mr Brandt. This conversation was very helpful.
Understand
Modal verbs with a twist: sollen, dürfte, müsste
You know the basic meanings of the modal verbs. At B2 you'll notice that some of them can also show how sure you are of something, or where you heard it.
can mean “people say” or “I've heard”: (I hear Mr Kurz is interested too). It can also mean something is planned: and (Konjunktiv II of and ) say what you expect: (that probably won't be a problem). (you ought to have a good chance).
nicht brauchen zu means “not need to” and is the everyday alternative to : Careful: means “you mustn't”, not “you don't have to”.
| German | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
| + infinitive | people say / it's planned | (The canteen is said to be very good.) |
| + infinitive | probably | |
| + infinitive | ought to, should (logically) | |
| don't need to | ||
| mustn't |
Noun + verb: eine Entscheidung treffen
Work and formal German use many fixed pairs of a noun and a verb (). The noun carries the meaning, and the verb is almost empty. You can't swap the verb: you a decision (literally “meet”), you don't it.
Most of them have a simpler verb with the same meaning, which you'll hear more in everyday speech: = . Learn the noun and its verb together.
| Noun + verb | Meaning |
|---|---|
| to make a decision (= ) | |
| to make a suggestion, a proposal (= ) | |
| / | to let someone know |
| to be available | |
| to be possible, to be an option | |
| to matter, to play a part |
Giving and taking feedback
German feedback is often quite direct. Polite forms are the Konjunktiv II and a positive start: … When you receive criticism, agree with the part that's fair and say what you'll do: …
To ask for something, name it first: (I have a request), then use … or a question with … or …?
- Ich würde mir wünschen, dass Sie früher Bescheid geben.I'd like you to let me know sooner.
- Danke für das Feedback. Das nehme ich mit.Thanks for the feedback. I'll bear that in mind.
- Wäre es möglich, dass ich im Homeoffice arbeite?Would it be possible for me to work from home?
More in the grammar: Modal verbs: können, müssen, wollen … · Formal style: nouns, fixed noun-verb pairs and genitive prepositions
New words
- zufrieden mithappy with, satisfied with · + dative:
- der Erfolgsuccess · masculine, plural: ; = campaign
- Bescheid geben / sagento let (someone) know · + dative:
- die Hilfehelp · feminine; = on your own
- das Anliegenrequest, concern · neuter, plural:
- das Homeofficeworking from home · neuter;
- die Besprechungmeeting · feminine, plural:
- selbstverständlichof course, naturally · a stronger, more formal
- infrage kommento be possible, to be considered · = That's out of the question.
- die Geschäftsführungmanagement · feminine; / = managing director
- allerdingshowever, mind you · counts as position one: …
- der Vertriebsales (department) · masculine
- zur Verfügung stehento be available · = I'm at your disposal.
- hilfreichhelpful
Practise
1.Herr Brandt says: “” What does he mean?
2.Complete the fixed phrase.
The management will make the decision in January.
3.Complete with the missing word.
You don't need to be here every day.
4.Put the words in order.
Tap the words below in the right order.That shouldn't be a problem.
5.Match the phrases with their meanings.
Pick a word on the left, then its meaning on the right.
6.Which sentence means “You don't have to come”?
0 of 6 exercises done.
Say it out loud
Ich hätte ein Anliegen.
I have a request.
Listen, then say it out loud, as close to the recording as you can.
Check
Five questions on this chapter. Then mark it as finished to add its words to your review deck.
0 of 5 answered.