Unter Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat vom gestrigen
With reference to our telephone conversation of yesterday
حرفيًا: Under reference to our telephone-call from-the yesterday's [day]
Use this phrase to professionally anchor an email to a previous phone conversation in formal German business settings.
في 15 ثانية
- Formal opening for emails following a phone call.
- Documents verbal agreements to create a written record.
- Essential for business, legal, or bureaucratic correspondence.
المعنى
This is a formal way to say 'Following up on our phone call yesterday.' It’s the standard opening for a professional email or letter to document what was discussed.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6Following up on a job interview
Unter Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat vom gestrigen Tag möchte ich mein Interesse an der Stelle bekräftigen.
With reference to our telephone conversation of yesterday, I would like to reinforce my interest in the position.
Confirming a plumber's appointment
Unter Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat vom gestrigen Vormittag bestätige ich hiermit den Termin am Freitag.
With reference to our telephone conversation of yesterday morning, I hereby confirm the appointment on Friday.
Humorous text to a close friend about a party
Unter Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat vom gestrigen Abend: Ich schulde dir noch ein Bier!
With reference to our telephone conversation of yesterday evening: I still owe you a beer!
خلفية ثقافية
This phrase is a cornerstone of 'Amtssprache' (officialese). It stems from a long tradition of German administrative precision where every interaction must be categorized and referenced. It gained popularity as the standard opening for business letters in the mid-20th century and remains the gold standard for formal follow-ups today.
The Comma Rule
In German, this phrase is often followed by a comma, but the next word (the verb) is not capitalized unless it's a noun. It feels weird, but it's correct!
Don't Forget the 'Tag'
While 'vom gestrigen' is sometimes seen in old files, always add 'Tag' (vom gestrigen Tag) to sound modern and grammatically complete.
في 15 ثانية
- Formal opening for emails following a phone call.
- Documents verbal agreements to create a written record.
- Essential for business, legal, or bureaucratic correspondence.
What It Means
Think of this phrase as the 'anchor' for your professional correspondence. It tells the reader exactly why you are writing. It connects your email to a specific moment in time—your call from yesterday. In German business culture, verbal agreements are great, but written confirmation is king. This phrase acts as the official bridge between a chat and a record. It signals that you are organized, attentive, and serious about the topic at hand. It’s like saying, 'Hey, remember that thing we talked about? Here it is in writing.'
How To Use It
You will almost always find this at the very beginning of a letter or email. It typically functions as an introductory clause. Because it’s a prepositional phrase, it usually sits before the main verb of the sentence. For example: Unter Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat vom gestrigen Tag sende ich Ihnen... (With reference to our call yesterday, I am sending you...). Note that gestrigen usually expects the word Tag (day) to follow it, though in very stiff old-school legalese, it’s sometimes implied. Keep your posture straight when typing this one!
When To Use It
Use this in any professional setting where you need to be precise. It’s perfect for following up after a job interview. Use it when confirming a price quote with a contractor. It’s also the go-to when dealing with German bureaucracy, like the Arbeitsagentur or your insurance company. If you’ve had a productive call and want to make sure the details don’t vanish into thin air, this is your best friend. It’s the 'per my last email' of the German telephone world.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this with your friends, your partner, or your siblings. If you text your roommate, Unter Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat... regarding the dirty dishes, they will think you are either joking or planning to sue them. It is far too stiff for casual settings. Also, avoid it if the phone call happened five minutes ago—in that case, a simple Wie gerade besprochen (as just discussed) is much more natural and less robotic.
Cultural Background
Germany has a deep-seated respect for the Schriftform (written form). There is an old saying: Wer schreibt, der bleibt (He who writes, stays/remains). This reflects the importance of documentation in legal and business life. Using this phrase isn't just about being polite; it’s about creating a 'paper trail.' It shows you respect the formal structures of German professional life. It’s a linguistic handshake that says, 'I am a reliable partner who documents our agreements.'
Common Variations
If you want to sound slightly less like a 19th-century clerk, you can use Bezugnehmend auf unser Telefonat.... It means the same thing but feels a tiny bit more modern. For a friendlier professional vibe, try Wie gestern telefonisch besprochen... (As discussed yesterday on the phone). If you are referencing a meeting instead of a call, swap Telefonat for Gespräch. If the call was further back, replace gestrigen with the specific date, like vom 12. Oktober.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
This is a high-register expression. Use it when you need to be officially on the record, especially with banks, landlords, or employers. Ensure the rest of your email maintains this formal tone.
The Comma Rule
In German, this phrase is often followed by a comma, but the next word (the verb) is not capitalized unless it's a noun. It feels weird, but it's correct!
Don't Forget the 'Tag'
While 'vom gestrigen' is sometimes seen in old files, always add 'Tag' (vom gestrigen Tag) to sound modern and grammatically complete.
The 'Sie' Factor
If you are using this phrase, you should almost certainly be using 'Sie' (formal you) in the rest of the email. It's too stiff for a 'Du' relationship.
أمثلة
6Unter Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat vom gestrigen Tag möchte ich mein Interesse an der Stelle bekräftigen.
With reference to our telephone conversation of yesterday, I would like to reinforce my interest in the position.
Very professional way to stay top-of-mind with a recruiter.
Unter Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat vom gestrigen Vormittag bestätige ich hiermit den Termin am Freitag.
With reference to our telephone conversation of yesterday morning, I hereby confirm the appointment on Friday.
Clear and leaves no room for scheduling misunderstandings.
Unter Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat vom gestrigen Abend: Ich schulde dir noch ein Bier!
With reference to our telephone conversation of yesterday evening: I still owe you a beer!
The extreme formality creates a funny, ironic contrast to the casual topic.
Unter Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat vom gestrigen Tage widerspreche ich der Ablehnung meines Antrags.
With reference to our telephone conversation of yesterday, I contest the rejection of my application.
The 'Tage' ending adds an extra layer of old-school formal weight.
Unter Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat vom gestrigen Tag sende ich Ihnen die Kopie meines Ausweises.
With reference to our telephone conversation of yesterday, I am sending you the copy of my ID.
Standard polite business communication.
Unter Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat vom gestrigen Nachmittag erwarte ich nun eine zeitnahe Lösung.
With reference to our telephone conversation of yesterday afternoon, I now expect a prompt solution.
The formal tone signals that your patience is wearing thin.
اختبر نفسك
Complete the formal opening for an email referencing yesterday's call.
___ Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat vom gestrigen Tag...
In German, the fixed expression is always 'Unter Bezugnahme auf' (Under reference to).
Choose the correct ending for the adjective 'gestrig' in this formal context.
Unter Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat vom ___ Tag...
After 'vom' (von + dem), the adjective takes the dative masculine ending '-en'.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality Levels for Referencing a Call
Texting a friend
Wegen gestern...
Friendly colleague
Wie gestern besprochen,
Standard Business
Bezugnehmend auf unser Telefonat,
Official/Legal
Unter Bezugnahme auf unser Telefonat vom gestrigen Tag,
When to use 'Unter Bezugnahme auf...'
Job Application
After a screening call
Insurance
Reporting a car accident
Government
Replying to the Bürgeramt
B2B Sales
Sending a price quote
الأسئلة الشائعة
11 أسئلةIt literally means 'under reference to.' It's a way of saying that the following text is based on or connected to a previous event, like unser Telefonat (our phone call).
Bezugnehmend is slightly more modern and concise, while Unter Bezugnahme is the classic, very formal version. Both are perfectly acceptable in business.
Vom gestrigen Tag is more formal and precise. Von gestern is fine for casual talk, but in a business letter, the adjective gestrigen adds a professional polish.
Only if you have a very formal relationship or are documenting something for HR. Otherwise, use Wie besprochen (as discussed) to avoid sounding like a robot.
Usually a comma and then the main action of your email, like ...bestätige ich den Termin (I confirm the appointment) or ...sende ich Ihnen die Unterlagen (I am sending you the documents).
Yes, but it's very old-fashioned and mostly found in legal documents. In a normal business email, just use vom gestrigen Tag.
Yes, it is the standard way to start a formal business email in Germany, especially if it's the first contact after a call.
Yes, just change it to Unter Bezugnahme auf unser gestriges Gespräch (With reference to our meeting yesterday).
Yes, you can say Bezugnehmend auf unser Telefonat.... It saves a few characters and sounds a bit more active.
Using the wrong preposition, like In Bezugnahme. Always use Unter for this specific construction.
Not inherently, but because it is so formal, it can feel cold. If you want to be warmer, use Vielen Dank für das freundliche Telefonat gestern instead.
عبارات ذات صلة
Wie telefonisch besprochen
As discussed over the phone (more neutral/common).
Anknüpfend an unser Gespräch
Following up on our conversation (elegant and professional).
Bezugnehmend auf Ihr Schreiben
With reference to your letter/written correspondence.
In Ergänzung zu unserem Telefonat
In addition to our phone call (used when adding new info).
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