In this workshop you will practice disagreeing politely in German. Instead of saying someone is wrong, you first show that you heard them, then you add your own view. You will work with short recorded phrases and a short dialogue. You will play both roles, so you can speak as the person who starts an idea and as the person who responds. Listen to each recording, repeat it, and then use it in the tasks below. The goal is not to win an argument, but to keep the conversation friendly and clear.
Acknowledge first, then disagree
The recordings offer openings and complete responses. «Da haben Sie recht, aber...» acknowledges that the other person is right about a point, then leaves a contrast unfinished. It uses formal Sie. «Ich verstehe, was du meinst, aber...» acknowledges understanding, without necessarily agreeing, and uses informal du. The dots mark an unfinished thought. For a complete formal response, rehearse «Da haben Sie recht, aber ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob wir genug Zeit haben.»: you acknowledge the point but are unsure whether there is enough time. For the informal practice scene, use «Ich verstehe, was du meinst, aber wir sollten noch etwas warten.»: you understand the point but suggest waiting a little longer.
Direct disagreement without sounding harsh
Sometimes you want to disagree more directly, but still politely. The recording «Das sehe ich anders.» means that you see the matter in a different way. It does not say that the other person is wrong. It simply shows your own perspective. The recording «Das ist ein gutes Argument, allerdings...» means that you find the other person's argument good, and then you add a contrasting point. The word at the end of «Das ist ein gutes Argument, allerdings...» introduces that contrast in a calm, slightly more formal and appreciative way. These two lines are useful when you want to be clear but not aggressive. You can use «Das sehe ich anders.» in many situations, and «Das ist ein gutes Argument, allerdings...» when you want to sound especially appreciative of the other person's point.
Hear the phrases in a short dialogue
Treat these recordings as two separate scenes so you do not switch the way you address one person mid-conversation. In the formal scene, A says «Ich finde, wir sollten das Projekt nächste Woche starten.» and B answers «Da haben Sie recht, aber ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob wir genug Zeit haben.». A can respond «Das sehe ich anders. Wir haben schon viel vorbereitet.»: A disagrees because much preparation is already done. In a separate scene with a friend addressed as du, use the same opening and answer «Ich verstehe, was du meinst, aber wir sollten noch etwas warten.». The formal reply expresses uncertainty about time; the informal one suggests waiting. They are different responses, not interchangeable translations.
Listen once, then say the phrase yourself. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Checking available voices…
Das sehe ich anders.
I see it differently.
dahs ZAY-uh ikh AHN-duhs
Da haben Sie recht, aber...
You're right about that, but...
dah HAH-ben zee rekht, AH-ber
Ich verstehe, was du meinst, aber...
I understand what you mean, but...
ikh fehr-SHTAY-uh, vahs doo maynst, AH-ber
Das ist ein gutes Argument, allerdings...
That's a good argument, however...
dahs ist igh GOO-tuhs ar-goo-MENT, AHL-luh-dings
Read one side aloud, then answer in your own words. The goal is to make the exchange yours.
Ich finde, wir sollten das Projekt nächste Woche starten.
I think we should start the project next week.Da haben Sie recht, aber ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob wir genug Zeit haben.
You're right about that, but I'm not sure if we have enough time.Das sehe ich anders. Wir haben schon viel vorbereitet.
I see it differently. We've already prepared a lot.Ich verstehe, was du meinst, aber wir sollten noch etwas warten.
I understand what you mean, but we should wait a bit longer.Your turn
Try each prompt out loud. Choose a guided start, the full sequence, or a challenge pass after your first attempt.
Guided exchange: acknowledge and disagree
Practice two separate meetings: one with a colleague you address as Sie, and one with a friend you address as du.
Your task: In the formal scene, A says «Ich finde, wir sollten das Projekt nächste Woche starten.». As B, answer «Da haben Sie recht, aber ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob wir genug Zeit haben.». Then as A, reply «Das sehe ich anders. Wir haben schon viel vorbereitet.». Use these complete models before trying variations.
Reply comprehension: choose the right response
Scene 1 uses Sie by agreement with a colleague. Scene 2 uses du with a close friend. Choose the matching opening from «Da haben Sie recht, aber...» and «Ich verstehe, was du meinst, aber...». These are openings, not complete replies.
Your task: For situation 1, say the phrase that uses the formal register. For situation 2, say the phrase that uses the informal register. Say each phrase out loud in full. Then check your answers below.
Recall and role switch
You will now recall the phrases without looking at them. Imagine two short scenes. In scene one, you speak formally to a colleague. In scene two, you speak informally to a friend. In both scenes, the other person has just shared an opinion.
Your task: From memory, repeat the formal three-turn scene from the first exercise. Then restart with the same opening in a separate du scene and use the complete recorded reply about waiting.
Common questions
Do I always need to acknowledge the other person before disagreeing?
No, but it often helps the conversation stay friendly. The recordings show two common patterns. One pattern starts with an acknowledgment, as in «Da haben Sie recht, aber...» and «Ich verstehe, was du meinst, aber...». Another pattern states your different view directly but politely, as in «Das sehe ich anders.». You can choose the pattern that fits the situation and the person you are speaking with.
How do I know whether to use the formal or informal phrase?
Look at the person you are speaking to. Use the formal phrase from «Da haben Sie recht, aber...» with people you address formally, such as a manager or someone you do not know well. Use the informal phrase from «Ich verstehe, was du meinst, aber...» with friends, family, or peers. In the dialogue, «Da haben Sie recht, aber ich bin mir nicht sicher, ob wir genug Zeit haben.» shows the formal choice and «Ich verstehe, was du meinst, aber wir sollten noch etwas warten.» shows the informal choice. If you are unsure, the formal phrase is usually the safer choice.
Sources and further reading
- german: expressing disagreement politelyChecked September 2026
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