Significado
To initiate contact with someone.
Contexto cultural
In German business culture, 'in Verbindung treten' signals that you respect the 'Sie-Kultur' (formal address). It creates a professional distance that is valued in DACH countries. Austrians may use even more formal language. You might hear 'sich in Verbindung setzen' slightly more often in Viennese offices, but 'treten' remains perfectly acceptable. Swiss German business communication is very polite. 'In Verbindung treten' is common in written 'Schriftdeutsch' (Standard German) used in Swiss offices. In modern Berlin startups, this phrase might be seen as *too* formal. Younger teams often prefer 'sich melden' or 'ping me'.
The 'Mit' Rule
Always remember: 'mit' + Dative. If you forget the 'mit', the sentence falls apart.
Don't over-formalize
If you use this with your friends, they might think you're being sarcastic or angry. Stick to 'sich melden' for casual life.
Significado
To initiate contact with someone.
The 'Mit' Rule
Always remember: 'mit' + Dative. If you forget the 'mit', the sentence falls apart.
Don't over-formalize
If you use this with your friends, they might think you're being sarcastic or angry. Stick to 'sich melden' for casual life.
Email Etiquette
This is the perfect phrase for the closing or opening of a formal German email when discussing future contact.
Auxiliary Verb
Since 'treten' implies movement (even if figurative), it uses 'sein' in the past tense: 'Ich bin getreten'.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the correct preposition and article (Dative).
Ich möchte gerne ___ ___ (the) Direktor in Verbindung treten.
'In Verbindung treten' always takes 'mit' + Dative. 'Direktor' is masculine, so 'dem'.
Which sentence is grammatically correct in the past tense?
How do you say 'I got in touch with her'?
'Treten' uses 'sein' as an auxiliary and the past participle is 'getreten'.
Complete the formal email sentence.
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, ich möchte wegen meiner Bewerbung mit Ihnen ___ ___ ___.
This is the standard formal way to express the desire to initiate contact in an email.
In which situation is 'in Verbindung treten' MOST appropriate?
Choose the best context:
This is a highly formal, official situation where the phrase is perfectly suited.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Treten vs. Setzen
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosIch möchte gerne ___ ___ (the) Direktor in Verbindung treten.
'In Verbindung treten' always takes 'mit' + Dative. 'Direktor' is masculine, so 'dem'.
How do you say 'I got in touch with her'?
'Treten' uses 'sein' as an auxiliary and the past participle is 'getreten'.
Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren, ich möchte wegen meiner Bewerbung mit Ihnen ___ ___ ___.
This is the standard formal way to express the desire to initiate contact in an email.
Choose the best context:
This is a highly formal, official situation where the phrase is perfectly suited.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasIt sounds more elegant and formal. 'Kontaktieren' is fine, but 'in Verbindung treten' is more 'high-level' German.
Yes, it covers all forms of contact—phone, email, or in-person.
'Treten' is slightly more formal and passive; 'setzen' is more active. In 99% of cases, they are interchangeable.
Yes, if you are specifying *who* you are contacting. If you just say 'Lass uns in Verbindung treten', the 'mit uns' is implied.
Rarely. It's almost always active because it's about taking initiative.
Only if it's a very formal text to a business contact. Otherwise, it's too stiff.
The Dative case. Always.
Yes, very often, especially in politics: 'Der Kanzler trat mit dem Präsidenten in Verbindung.'
This usually means to come into contact with something by accident (like a virus or a chemical). Use 'treten' for intentional contact.
You would say 'Ich werde mich wieder bei Ihnen melden.' 'In Verbindung treten' is usually for the *first* or a *new* contact.
Frases relacionadas
Kontakt aufnehmen
synonymTo establish contact
sich in Verbindung setzen
similarTo put oneself in connection
in Verbindung stehen
builds onTo be in contact/connected
jemanden kontaktieren
synonymTo contact someone
sich melden bei
similarTo get in touch with
