في 15 ثانية
- To stop being neutral and pick a side in a conflict.
- Commonly used with 'für' to show support for someone.
- Suitable for both professional meetings and personal family arguments.
المعنى
This phrase is used when you stop being neutral in a conflict and decide to support one person or group over another. It is like stepping off the fence and picking a team during an argument.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6In a work meeting
Ich möchte in diesem Streit keine Partei ergreifen.
I don't want to take sides in this dispute.
Talking about a family argument
Meine Mutter hat sofort Partei für meinen Bruder ergriffen.
My mother immediately took my brother's side.
Texting a friend about a drama
Musst du immer für ihn Partei ergreifen?
Do you always have to take his side?
خلفية ثقافية
In German corporate culture, neutrality is often expected from leaders during interpersonal conflicts to maintain 'Betriebsfrieden' (workplace peace). However, in factual debates, taking a clear side is seen as a sign of competence. Neutrality is a national dogma. 'Partei ergreifen' in a geopolitical sense is a very sensitive topic in Swiss media and is often debated with great intensity. Similar to Germany, but there is often a cultural tendency towards 'Harmoniesucht' (a longing for harmony), which can make people more hesitant to openly 'Partei ergreifen' in social settings. In German universities, students are often encouraged to 'Stellung beziehen' (take a position) in their papers, which is a more formal cousin of 'Partei ergreifen'.
Use it in your B2 exam
This is a high-scoring phrase for the 'Diskussion' part of the Goethe or Telc B2 exam. It shows you can handle abstract collocations.
Don't use 'nehmen'
English speakers often say 'Seite nehmen'. Avoid this! Always use 'Partei ergreifen' or 'auf jemandes Seite stehen'.
في 15 ثانية
- To stop being neutral and pick a side in a conflict.
- Commonly used with 'für' to show support for someone.
- Suitable for both professional meetings and personal family arguments.
What It Means
Imagine two of your friends are arguing about where to go for dinner. You are sitting there quietly, trying to stay out of it. Suddenly, one of them looks at you and asks for your opinion. If you choose a side, you Partei ergreifen. It means you are no longer a neutral observer. You have officially joined one 'party' or side of the dispute. It is a very common way to describe taking a stand in German.
How To Use It
You use this phrase with the preposition für (for) or gegen (against). If you want to support someone, you say you ergreifen Partei für them. The verb ergreifen is a strong verb. This means it changes its stem in the past tense. For example, er ergreift (present) becomes er ergriff (past). You can use it in professional settings or personal ones. It sounds a bit more sophisticated than just saying you are 'on someone's side'.
When To Use It
Use this phrase when the situation involves a real conflict or debate. It fits perfectly in office politics when two managers disagree. You can also use it in family discussions or political debates. It is great for when you want to sound firm and decisive. Use it when you are talking about loyalty or making a tough choice. It works well in writing and speaking.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for simple preferences. If you prefer pizza over pasta, you do not Partei ergreifen. That would sound very dramatic! Also, avoid it for very casual, low-stakes choices. It implies there is a bit of a struggle or a disagreement. If there is no 'fight', this phrase feels out of place. Stick to bevorzugen for simple likes and dislikes.
Cultural Background
Germans often value directness and clear positions. While being a mediator is respected, being 'neutral' can sometimes be seen as indecisive. The word Partei here comes from the Latin 'pars', meaning part. It became popular in legal and political contexts centuries ago. Today, it shows that you are willing to commit to a viewpoint. It reflects a culture that appreciates knowing exactly where someone stands.
Common Variations
You might also hear Stellung beziehen. This means 'to take a position'. It is even more formal than Partei ergreifen. If you want to sound more casual, you can say sich auf jemandes Seite schlagen. That literally means 'to hit oneself onto someone's side'. It sounds much more impulsive and active. Partei ergreifen sits right in the middle as a solid, reliable expression.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This phrase is neutral in register, making it safe for almost any situation. Just remember that it carries a certain weight; it's about commitment to a side, not just a passing preference.
Use it in your B2 exam
This is a high-scoring phrase for the 'Diskussion' part of the Goethe or Telc B2 exam. It shows you can handle abstract collocations.
Don't use 'nehmen'
English speakers often say 'Seite nehmen'. Avoid this! Always use 'Partei ergreifen' or 'auf jemandes Seite stehen'.
The power of silence
In Germany, if you don't 'Partei ergreifen', people might assume you agree with the stronger person. Sometimes silence is seen as taking a side.
أمثلة
6Ich möchte in diesem Streit keine Partei ergreifen.
I don't want to take sides in this dispute.
A classic way to stay professional and neutral.
Meine Mutter hat sofort Partei für meinen Bruder ergriffen.
My mother immediately took my brother's side.
Shows a clear bias in a personal setting.
Musst du immer für ihn Partei ergreifen?
Do you always have to take his side?
A bit confrontational but very common in friendships.
Sogar der Hund hat Partei für meine Frau ergriffen und mich angebellt.
Even the dog took my wife's side and barked at me.
Uses a serious phrase for a funny, relatable situation.
Die Presse sollte in diesem Fall keine Partei ergreifen.
The press should not take sides in this case.
Refers to the importance of journalistic objectivity.
Danke, dass du gestern für mich Partei ergriffen hast.
Thanks for taking my side yesterday.
Expresses gratitude for loyalty.
اختبر نفسك
Füllen Sie die Lücke mit der richtigen Form von 'ergreifen'.
Gestern ________ er endlich Partei für seinen Kollegen.
The sentence refers to 'yesterday' (Gestern), so the simple past (Präteritum) 'ergriff' is required.
Welcher Satz ist grammatikalisch korrekt?
Wähle die richtige Option:
The idiom uses 'Partei' without an article, the verb 'ergreifen', and the preposition 'für'.
Vervollständigen Sie den Dialog.
A: Warum sagst du nichts zu ihrem Streit? B: Ich möchte einfach keine ________________.
In the context of a 'Streit' (argument), 'Partei ergreifen' is the most natural idiom for taking sides.
🎉 النتيجة: /3
وسائل تعلم بصرية
بنك التمارين
3 تمارينGestern ________ er endlich Partei für seinen Kollegen.
The sentence refers to 'yesterday' (Gestern), so the simple past (Präteritum) 'ergriff' is required.
Wähle die richtige Option:
The idiom uses 'Partei' without an article, the verb 'ergreifen', and the preposition 'für'.
A: Warum sagst du nichts zu ihrem Streit? B: Ich möchte einfach keine ________________.
In the context of a 'Streit' (argument), 'Partei ergreifen' is the most natural idiom for taking sides.
🎉 النتيجة: /3
الأسئلة الشائعة
10 أسئلةNo, it sounds too dramatic. Use 'Ich bin für...' or 'Ich bevorzuge...' instead.
Not necessarily. In some jobs, like being a judge or a journalist, it is considered a mistake.
'Beziehen' is slightly more formal and common in writing, while 'ergreifen' is more common in speech.
Usually no. It's a fixed idiom: 'Partei ergreifen'.
Yes, it means to take a side against someone, but 'für jemanden' is more common.
No, 'er-' is an inseparable prefix.
You can say: 'Ich möchte keine Partei ergreifen' or 'Ich halte mich da raus'.
Yes, very often, especially in political reporting.
Yes, if your partner is in an argument with someone else, they might expect you to 'Partei ergreifen'.
The opposite is 'unparteiisch' (impartial).
عبارات ذات صلة
Stellung beziehen
similarTo take a stance on an issue
Sich auf jemandes Seite schlagen
similarTo suddenly take someone's side
Zu jemandem halten
similarTo stand by someone
Parteiisch sein
specialized formTo be biased
Neutral bleiben
contrastTo stay neutral
