Leading a Meeting in German: Setting the Agenda and Managing Turns
Learn to lead a meeting in German by setting the agenda, opening topics, and managing who speaks next. Intermediate level.
By TheaFirst conversations · Yapr Learn
Leading a meeting in German requires more than just vocabulary; it involves specific phrases to structure discussion, assign turns, and keep the meeting on track. This lesson focuses on the language you need as a chairperson: starting the meeting, introducing agenda items, giving the floor to participants, and moving to the next point. You'll practice standard contemporary German used in professional settings, with notes on regional variations where relevant. By the end, you'll be able to confidently guide a meeting from opening to closing.
By the end, you can…
- open a meeting and present the agenda in German.
- introduce the first agenda item and transition between topics.
- give the floor to a participant and manage speaking turns.
- summarize decisions and close a meeting.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Beginnen wir mit dem ersten Punkt.
Let's start with the first item.
buh-GIN-nen veer mit deym AIR-sten poonkt
Standard opening phrase to introduce the first agenda item. Use in formal and semi-formal meetings.
Kommen wir nun zum nächsten Tagesordnungspunkt.
Let's move on to the next agenda item.
KOM-men veer noon tsoom NÄCH-sten TAH-guhs-OR-dnoongs-poonkt
Formal transition to the next topic. 'Tagesordnungspunkt' is the standard term for agenda item.
Ich gebe das Wort an Frau Müller.
I give the floor to Ms. Müller.
ikh GAY-buh das vort an frow MÜL-ler
Formal way to invite someone to speak. Use 'Herr' for Mr. and adjust the name.
Möchten Sie etwas dazu sagen?
Would you like to say something about that?
MÖKH-ten zee ET-vas da-TSOO ZAH-guhn
Polite invitation for input. Use with 'du' in informal settings: 'Möchtest du etwas dazu sagen?'
Fassen wir das Wichtigste zusammen.
Let's summarize the most important points.
FAS-sen veer das VIKH-tikh-stuh tsoo-ZAM-muhn
Used to recap before moving on or closing. Helps ensure clarity.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
To structure a meeting, use imperative phrases with 'wir' (we) to suggest collective action: 'Beginnen wir mit...' (Let's start with...), 'Kommen wir zu...' (Let's come to...), 'Fassen wir zusammen...' (Let's summarize...). These are polite and inclusive. For example: 'Beginnen wir mit dem ersten Punkt.' Another pattern is 'Ich gebe das Wort an...' (I give the floor to...) to assign turns. Note that 'das Wort' is neuter and does not change in the accusative, so it stays 'das Wort'. In informal meetings, you might use 'du' forms: 'Gibst du uns einen Überblick?' (Can you give us an overview?).
When to use it
Use these phrases when you are the chairperson or facilitator. Start with a welcome and agenda overview: 'Ich begrüße Sie herzlich. Wir haben drei Punkte auf der Agenda.' Then introduce each item: 'Punkt eins: ...' After discussion, summarize: 'Wir halten fest: ...' (We note that...). To manage turns, say: 'Einen Moment, bitte. Herr Schmidt, Sie waren zuerst dran.' (One moment, please. Mr. Schmidt, you were first.) In Southern Germany and Austria, 'Grüß Gott' is a common greeting; in Switzerland, 'Grüezi'. For closing, use: 'Damit sind wir am Ende der Besprechung. Vielen Dank für Ihre Teilnahme.'
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Guten Morgen, ich begrüße Sie herzlich zur heutigen Besprechung. Beginnen wir mit dem ersten Punkt: dem Projektstatus.
Good morning, I warmly welcome you to today's meeting. Let's start with the first item: the project status.GOO-ten MOR-guhn, ikh buh-GRÜ-suh zee HERTS-likh tsoor HOY-ti-guhn buh-SHPREH-khoong. buh-GIN-nen veer mit deym AIR-sten poonkt: deym pro-YEKT-sta-toosDanke. Der Projektstatus ist gut. Wir liegen im Zeitplan.
Thank you. The project status is good. We are on schedule.DAN-kuh. dair pro-YEKT-sta-toos ist goot. veer LEE-guhn im TSYT-plahnDas freut mich zu hören. Kommen wir nun zum nächsten Tagesordnungspunkt: dem Budget.
I'm glad to hear that. Let's move on to the next agenda item: the budget.das froyt mikh tsoo HÖ-ruhn. KOM-men veer noon tsoom NÄCH-sten TAH-guhs-OR-dnoongs-poonkt: deym bud-ZHAYIch habe eine Frage zum Budget. Können wir das später besprechen?
I have a question about the budget. Can we discuss that later?ikh HAH-buh AY-nuh FRAH-guh tsoom bud-ZHAY. KÖN-nen veer das SHPÄ-ter buh-SHPREH-khuhnA little context goes a long way
In German business meetings, punctuality and a clear agenda are highly valued. It's common to address participants with 'Herr' or 'Frau' plus last name, and using 'Sie' is standard unless colleagues have agreed on 'du'. In Austria and Switzerland, similar formalities apply, but greetings may differ: 'Grüß Gott' in Austria and 'Grüezi' in Switzerland. Directness is appreciated, but polite phrasing like 'Möchten Sie etwas dazu sagen?' maintains a collaborative tone. Avoid overly casual language unless the meeting is explicitly informal.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Ich gebe das Wort zu Frau Müller' instead of 'an Frau Müller'.
Try this instead: The correct preposition is 'an' in the phrase 'Ich gebe das Wort an Frau Müller.' 'Zu' would imply direction towards, but 'an' indicates the recipient. Example: 'Ich gebe das Wort an Herrn Schmidt.' (Note: 'Herrn' is the accusative form of 'Herr'.)
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'Let's start with the first item' in German?
Show a sample answer
Beginnen wir mit dem ersten Punkt.
This uses the imperative 'Beginnen wir' (let's start) and 'mit dem ersten Punkt' (with the first item). Alternative: 'Fangen wir mit dem ersten Punkt an.' is also correct.
2What phrase would you use to give the floor to Ms. Schmidt?
Show a sample answer
Ich gebe das Wort an Frau Schmidt.
This is the standard formal phrase. You could also say 'Frau Schmidt, Sie haben das Wort.' (Ms. Schmidt, you have the floor.)
3How do you transition to the next agenda item?
Show a sample answer
Kommen wir nun zum nächsten Tagesordnungspunkt.
This is a formal transition. In informal meetings, you might say 'Kommen wir zum nächsten Punkt.' Both are acceptable.
As a meeting leader in German, use inclusive 'wir' phrases to guide the agenda, give the floor with 'Ich gebe das Wort an...', and summarize with 'Fassen wir zusammen...'. Always maintain a polite, formal register unless the group has agreed otherwise.
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