At the A1 level, you are just starting to learn German. The phrase 'zur Verfügung' might seem very long and complicated, but it is actually a very helpful phrase to memorize as a single block. It simply means 'available'. You do not need to worry too much about the complex grammar behind it right now. Just remember that when you see or hear 'zur Verfügung', someone is talking about something being ready to use or someone being ready to help. For example, if you are in a hotel and the receptionist says 'Das Zimmer steht zur Verfügung', it means the room is available for you. If you want to be very polite, you can learn to say 'Ich stehe zur Verfügung', which means 'I am available' or 'I am here to help'. It is a good phrase to recognize because you will see it on signs, in emails, and hear it in shops. Do not worry about the words 'stehen' and 'stellen' too much yet; just focus on recognizing the phrase 'zur Verfügung' and knowing that it means 'available'. Practice saying it out loud: 'tsur ver-fyoo-gung'. It sounds very professional and polite. As you continue to learn German, you will start to understand the grammar behind it, but for now, treating it as a fixed vocabulary word is the best strategy. You will notice that it is always spelled with a capital 'V' because it is a noun, and it always has the word 'zur' in front of it. Keep an eye out for it when you read simple German texts or listen to basic dialogues.
At the A2 level, you are building on your basic knowledge and starting to form more complete sentences. Now is the time to understand how to use 'zur Verfügung' in simple, everyday contexts. You should know that it means 'available' or 'at your disposal'. At this stage, you should learn the two most important verbs that go with it: 'stehen' (to stand) and 'stellen' (to place). When something is available, you use 'stehen'. For example, 'Das Auto steht zur Verfügung' (The car is available). When you make something available, you use 'stellen'. For example, 'Ich stelle das Auto zur Verfügung' (I make the car available). You should also start paying attention to the dative pronouns. If you want to say 'The car is available to me', you say 'Das Auto steht mir zur Verfügung'. If it is available to you, it is 'dir zur Verfügung' or 'Ihnen zur Verfügung' (formal). This phrase is very useful when you are writing short emails or messages. For instance, if a colleague asks if you have time, you can reply, 'Ich stehe morgen zur Verfügung' (I am available tomorrow). It is a polite and clear way to communicate your availability. Make sure you always write 'Verfügung' with a capital 'V' and do not forget the 'r' in 'zur'. Practicing these simple sentences will help you sound much more natural and polite in German. You will hear this phrase often in customer service, like when a shop assistant tells you a product is available.
At the B1 level, 'zur Verfügung' becomes a core part of your active vocabulary. You are now expected to use it correctly in both spoken and written German, especially in professional or formal contexts. You must fully grasp the difference between 'zur Verfügung stehen' (intransitive, describing a state) and 'zur Verfügung stellen' (transitive, describing an action). You should be comfortable using these in various tenses, including the perfect tense. For example, 'Wir haben die Dokumente zur Verfügung gestellt' (We made the documents available) or 'Das Geld hat nicht zur Verfügung gestanden' (The money was not available). You also need to master the sentence structure. Remember that 'zur Verfügung' usually goes at the end of the clause, just before the verb in perfect tenses or with modal verbs. For example, 'Ich kann Ihnen morgen zur Verfügung stehen' (I can be available to you tomorrow). This phrase is essential for writing formal emails, such as applying for a job ('Ich stehe ab sofort zur Verfügung') or answering customer inquiries ('Für Rückfragen stehe ich Ihnen gerne zur Verfügung'). At this level, you should also recognize synonyms like 'verfügbar' and 'vorhanden' and know when to use them instead of 'zur Verfügung' to avoid repetition. Understanding the dative case application is no longer optional; it is mandatory. You must automatically use 'mir', 'dir', 'ihm', 'ihr', 'uns', 'euch', 'ihnen', or 'Ihnen' correctly when specifying to whom something is available. This phrase is a hallmark of B1 proficiency.
At the B2 level, your use of 'zur Verfügung' should be fluid, natural, and highly accurate. You are communicating in more complex professional and academic environments where this phrase is standard terminology. You should be able to integrate it seamlessly into complex sentence structures, such as relative clauses and passive voice constructions. For example, 'Die Mittel, die uns zur Verfügung gestellt wurden, sind aufgebraucht' (The funds that were made available to us are exhausted) or 'Das Material muss bis morgen zur Verfügung gestellt werden' (The material must be made available by tomorrow). You should also understand the subtle nuances of tone. While 'zur Verfügung' is perfect for formal emails and business meetings, you should know that it might sound too stiff for a casual chat with friends, where 'Ich habe Zeit' or 'Es ist da' would be more appropriate. At this level, you are expected to use it in negotiations, presentations, and formal reports. You should also be familiar with related nouns and adjectives, such as 'die Verfügbarkeit' (availability). Your writing should routinely feature standard polite closings like 'Für weitere Auskünfte stehe ich Ihnen jederzeit gerne zur Verfügung'. Errors in case (using accusative instead of dative) or verb choice (using 'machen' instead of 'stellen') should be completely eliminated by this stage. Mastery of this phrase demonstrates your ability to navigate the German business world with linguistic competence and cultural awareness.
At the C1 level, 'zur Verfügung' is a fully integrated tool in your advanced linguistic repertoire. You use it without hesitation in highly formal, academic, legal, and corporate contexts. You are comfortable with sophisticated variations and extended phrases, such as 'jemandem uneingeschränkt zur Verfügung stehen' (to be at someone's unrestricted disposal) or 'Mittel zur freien Verfügung haben' (to have funds freely available/at one's free disposal). You understand the legal and administrative implications of the phrase, such as when a court 'stellt etwas zur Verfügung'. You can easily navigate complex syntax, placing the phrase correctly even in sentences with multiple clauses and modifiers. For example: 'Trotz der anfänglichen Schwierigkeiten konnten die benötigten Ressourcen rechtzeitig zur Verfügung gestellt werden, was den Projektabschluss sicherte.' You also possess the stylistic awareness to vary your vocabulary, seamlessly switching between 'zur Verfügung stellen', 'bereitstellen', 'anbieten', and 'liefern' depending on the exact nuance required by the text. You recognize when 'zur Verfügung' is used metaphorically or rhetorically in literature or political speeches. At this level, you are not just using the phrase correctly; you are using it elegantly to structure your arguments, offer professional assistance, and manage resources in complex discussions. Your command of this phrase reflects a near-native understanding of German professional etiquette and syntactic precision.
At the C2 level, your mastery of 'zur Verfügung' is indistinguishable from that of an educated native speaker. You command the phrase across all registers, from the most rigid legal contracts to nuanced literary texts. You understand its historical and etymological roots, recognizing how the concept of 'Verfügung' (decree/disposal) shapes the power dynamics implied in the phrase. You can play with the phrase stylistically, perhaps using it ironically or subverting expectations in creative writing. You are perfectly comfortable with highly specific collocations, such as 'Haushaltsmittel zur Verfügung stellen' (to allocate budget funds) or 'sich der Justiz zur Verfügung halten' (to keep oneself available for the justice system). You effortlessly handle the passive voice, subjunctive moods, and complex participial attributes involving the phrase, such as 'die zur Verfügung stehenden Mittel' (the available funds) or 'das zur Verfügung gestellte Material' (the provided material). You can debate the subtle semantic differences between 'zur Verfügung stellen' and 'überlassen' in a legal context. At this level of mastery, the phrase is not just vocabulary; it is a structural element of your thought process in German, allowing you to articulate complex ideas about resource management, personal availability, and professional obligation with absolute precision, elegance, and cultural fluency.

zur Verfügung en 30 segundos

  • Means 'available' or 'at your disposal'.
  • Used with 'stehen' (to be) or 'stellen' (to provide).
  • Essential for business emails and formal German.
  • Always requires the dative case for the recipient.
The German phrase zur Verfügung is an absolutely essential vocabulary item that every learner must master to achieve fluency, especially when navigating professional, academic, or formal environments. When we break down this phrase, we see that it consists of the preposition 'zu' merged with the feminine definite article 'der' in the dative case, resulting in the contraction 'zur', followed by the feminine noun 'Verfügung'. The noun 'Verfügung' translates literally to 'disposal', 'availability', or 'decree' depending on the exact context, but in this specific prepositional phrase, it almost exclusively means 'at someone's disposal' or 'available'. Understanding the literal and figurative meanings of this phrase is crucial for anyone looking to communicate effectively in German. It is not merely a combination of words, but a foundational expression used daily across Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Literal Translation
To the disposal or at the disposal.
When you say that something is 'zur Verfügung', you are indicating that it is ready to be used, accessed, or consumed by someone. This can apply to physical objects, such as a car, a room, or a piece of equipment, as well as abstract concepts, such as time, information, or personal assistance.

Das Auto steht Ihnen zur Verfügung.

The versatility of this phrase is what makes it so important. You will encounter it in customer service interactions, where a representative might tell you that they are available to help you. You will see it in business emails, where colleagues offer their time or resources. You will even hear it in casual conversations among friends when someone offers to lend a tool or help with a project. To truly grasp what it means, we must look at the root verb 'verfügen', which means to decree, to order, or to have at one's disposal. When you have something 'zur Verfügung', you have the power or the right to use it as you see fit.
Grammatical Structure
Preposition (zu) + Dative Article (der) + Noun (Verfügung).
This concept of having control or access is central to the meaning of the phrase. It is a polite and professional way to offer something to someone else, showing respect and a willingness to assist.

Ich stehe gerne zur Verfügung.

Furthermore, the phrase is often paired with specific verbs, most notably 'stehen' (to stand) and 'stellen' (to place). When paired with 'stehen', it describes a state of being available. When paired with 'stellen', it describes the action of making something available. This distinction is vital for accurate communication.

Wir stellen das Material zur Verfügung.

In English, we might say 'I am available' or 'I will provide this to you', but in German, the concept of 'putting something to someone's disposal' is much more common and idiomatic. By mastering this phrase, you elevate your German from basic to intermediate, demonstrating a nuanced understanding of how native speakers express availability and readiness to help.
Common Context
Business correspondence and formal offers of assistance.
Whether you are writing a formal letter, attending a job interview, or simply trying to be polite in a shop, knowing how and when to use 'zur Verfügung' will serve you incredibly well.

Die Dokumente stehen zur Verfügung.

It is a phrase that bridges the gap between simple vocabulary and complex, native-like expression, making it a cornerstone of the B1 CEFR level and beyond.

Ein Experte steht Ihnen zur Verfügung.

Therefore, dedicating time to practice and internalize this phrase is highly recommended for all serious learners of the German language.
Using the phrase zur Verfügung correctly requires a solid understanding of German sentence structure, particularly the distinction between transitive and intransitive verbs, as well as the proper application of the dative case. The most critical aspect of using this phrase is knowing which verb to pair it with. The two most common verbs are 'stehen' and 'stellen'. Let us explore 'zur Verfügung stehen' first. This combination is used when you want to express that something or someone is currently available. It describes a state of being.
Verb Pairing 1
zur Verfügung stehen (to be available).
In this construction, the thing that is available is the subject of the sentence and takes the nominative case. The person to whom it is available takes the dative case. For example, if you want to say 'I am available to you', you would say 'Ich stehe Ihnen zur Verfügung'. Here, 'Ich' is the subject, and 'Ihnen' is the formal dative pronoun.

Der Raum steht uns zur Verfügung.

This structure is incredibly common in professional settings. Now, let us look at 'zur Verfügung stellen'. This combination is used when you want to express the action of making something available or providing something.
Verb Pairing 2
zur Verfügung stellen (to make available / to provide).
In this construction, the person doing the providing is the subject (nominative), the thing being provided is the direct object (accusative), and the person receiving it is the indirect object (dative). For example, 'Wir stellen Ihnen die Informationen zur Verfügung' translates to 'We will make the information available to you'.

Können Sie mir das zur Verfügung stellen?

Understanding the difference between these two verbs is the key to mastering the phrase. Beyond 'stehen' and 'stellen', you might occasionally encounter other verbs like 'halten' (to keep available) or 'bleiben' (to remain available), though these are less frequent.

Bitte halten Sie sich zur Verfügung.

When constructing sentences, remember that 'zur Verfügung' is a fixed prepositional phrase. It does not change its form. The word 'zur' is always 'zur', and 'Verfügung' is always capitalized.
Word Order
The phrase usually comes at the end of the clause in standard sentence structure.
In a main clause with a simple verb, the phrase sits at the end: 'Das Geld steht zur Verfügung'. If there is a modal verb or a perfect tense construction, the main verb ('stehen' or 'stellen') moves to the very end, pushing 'zur Verfügung' just before it: 'Das Geld wird zur Verfügung stehen' or 'Wir haben das Geld zur Verfügung gestellt'.

Er hat es uns zur Verfügung gestellt.

This follows standard German sentence bracketing rules. It is also important to note the tone. While 'zur Verfügung' is highly appropriate for business and formal situations, it can sound a bit stiff in very casual contexts. In a relaxed setting with friends, you might simply say 'Ich habe Zeit' instead of 'Ich stehe zur Verfügung', or 'Hier ist das Buch' instead of 'Ich stelle dir das Buch zur Verfügung'. However, in any customer-facing, academic, or professional scenario, 'zur Verfügung' is exactly the right phrase to use.

Die Hotline steht rund um die Uhr zur Verfügung.

By practicing these structures, you will ensure that your German sounds polite, professional, and grammatically correct.
The phrase zur Verfügung is ubiquitous in the German-speaking world, and you will encounter it in a wide variety of contexts, ranging from everyday customer service interactions to high-level corporate communications. One of the most common places you will hear or read this phrase is in business emails. When a colleague or a service provider finishes an email, they will often include a sentence offering further assistance.
Email Sign-offs
A standard polite closing in professional correspondence.
A classic example is 'Für Rückfragen stehe ich Ihnen gerne zur Verfügung', which translates to 'I am gladly available for any further questions'. This is a standard, polite way to close a professional message and is expected in German business culture.

Für weitere Fragen stehe ich zur Verfügung.

You will also frequently hear this phrase in the hospitality and tourism industries. When you check into a hotel, the receptionist might inform you about the amenities by saying that the spa or the gym 'steht Ihnen zur Verfügung'. Similarly, on public transportation, announcements might state that certain services or alternative routes are available to passengers using this exact phrasing.

Ein Ersatzbus steht zur Verfügung.

In the realm of IT and software, 'zur Verfügung stellen' is the standard way to talk about providing access to files, data, or software tools. An IT department might send an update saying 'Wir stellen das neue Update zur Verfügung' (We are making the new update available).
IT Context
Used to describe granting access to digital resources.
Furthermore, in academic settings, professors and university staff use this phrase constantly. A lecturer might tell students that the lecture slides 'stehen online zur Verfügung' (are available online).

Die Skripte stehen im Portal zur Verfügung.

Job interviews are another critical context. A candidate might express their readiness to start working by saying 'Ich stehe ab sofort zur Verfügung' (I am available immediately). This is a highly professional and expected way to state your availability to a potential employer. In legal and administrative contexts, the phrase takes on a slightly more formal tone, often referring to funds, resources, or legal rights that are placed at someone's disposal by a court or government body.
Legal Context
Refers to resources allocated by an authority.
Even in retail, if a product is out of stock, a shop assistant might check the inventory and say 'Dieser Artikel steht momentan nicht zur Verfügung' (This item is currently not available).

Das Modell steht nicht mehr zur Verfügung.

As you can see, the phrase is incredibly versatile. It is a polite, clear, and universally understood way to communicate availability, making it an indispensable tool for anyone navigating life, work, or study in a German-speaking environment.

Mein Team steht Ihnen zur Verfügung.

Paying attention to these contexts will help you understand not just what the words mean, but how to use them appropriately to sound natural and respectful.
When learning the phrase zur Verfügung, students frequently make a few specific errors that immediately mark them as non-native speakers. The most common mistake is forgetting the 'r' in 'zur'. Because 'zu' is a common preposition, learners often write or say 'zu Verfügung'. This is grammatically incorrect.
The Missing R
Saying 'zu Verfügung' instead of 'zur Verfügung'.
The phrase requires the dative feminine article 'der', which contracts with 'zu' to form 'zur'. Omitting this 'r' is a glaring error in written German and sounds wrong to native ears.

Falsch: Ich stehe zu Verfügung. Richtig: Ich stehe zur Verfügung.

Another frequent mistake involves using the wrong verb. English speakers often try to translate 'to make available' literally and end up using the verb 'machen' (to make), resulting in 'zur Verfügung machen'. This is entirely incorrect in German. You must use 'stellen' when you are providing something.

Wir stellen es zur Verfügung. (Not: Wir machen es zur Verfügung).

A third common issue is confusion over cases, specifically regarding the person to whom something is available. The person receiving the availability must be in the dative case. Learners sometimes use the accusative case instead.
Case Confusion
Using accusative pronouns (mich, dich) instead of dative (mir, dir).
For example, saying 'Das Auto steht mich zur Verfügung' is wrong; it must be 'Das Auto steht mir zur Verfügung'.

Es steht mir zur Verfügung.

Furthermore, capitalization is a persistent issue for beginners. 'Verfügung' is a noun and must always be capitalized. Writing 'zur verfügung' with a lowercase 'v' is a spelling error that is easily avoidable but frequently seen in casual emails from learners. Finally, learners sometimes struggle with word order when using this phrase in complex sentences, particularly in subordinate clauses or perfect tenses. They might place 'zur Verfügung' at the very end of a perfect tense sentence, after the past participle, which disrupts the sentence bracket.
Word Order Errors
Placing the phrase outside the verbal bracket.
For instance, 'Ich habe gestellt das Auto zur Verfügung' is completely wrong. It must be 'Ich habe das Auto zur Verfügung gestellt'.

Er hat das Geld zur Verfügung gestellt.

By paying close attention to the 'r' in 'zur', choosing the correct verbs ('stehen' and 'stellen'), using the dative case for the recipient, capitalizing the noun, and adhering to standard German word order, you can easily avoid these common pitfalls.

Die Hilfe steht Ihnen zur Verfügung.

Mastering these details will make your German sound much more authentic and professional, allowing you to communicate with confidence in any formal or business setting.
While zur Verfügung is the most common and versatile way to express availability in formal German, there are several similar words and phrases that learners should know to enrich their vocabulary and understand nuances in different contexts. One of the most direct synonyms is the adjective 'verfügbar'.
Synonym 1
verfügbar (available).
'Verfügbar' is an adjective and can be used directly to describe a noun or as a predicate adjective. For example, instead of saying 'Das Produkt steht zur Verfügung', you can simply say 'Das Produkt ist verfügbar'. This is often used in retail, IT, and general descriptions of stock or readiness.

Der Artikel ist online verfügbar.

Another excellent word is 'erhältlich', which specifically means 'obtainable' or 'available for purchase'. You would use 'erhältlich' when talking about goods in a store.
Synonym 2
erhältlich (available to buy).
You would not say a person is 'erhältlich' unless you are making a very strange joke.

Das Buch ist im Handel erhältlich.

If you are talking about something being physically present or existing, the word 'vorhanden' is very useful. It translates to 'existing', 'available', or 'present'. For instance, 'Sind genügend Stühle vorhanden?' means 'Are there enough chairs available/present?'.

Es sind keine Tickets mehr vorhanden.

In more casual or immediate contexts, you might hear the word 'parat'. This comes from Latin and means 'ready' or 'prepared'. If someone asks you a question and you have the answer ready immediately, you have the answer 'parat'.
Synonym 3
parat (ready, at hand).
It is less formal than 'zur Verfügung' but very common in spoken German.

Ich habe die Lösung parat.

Another similar concept is 'bereit', meaning 'ready'. You can say 'Ich bin bereit' (I am ready), which conveys a similar personal availability to 'Ich stehe zur Verfügung', though 'bereit' focuses more on mental or physical readiness rather than being at someone's disposal. Finally, for products that can be delivered, 'lieferbar' (deliverable/available for shipping) is the precise term.

Das Sofa ist sofort lieferbar.

Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the exact right word for the situation, whether you are writing a formal email ('zur Verfügung'), checking stock ('verfügbar' or 'vorhanden'), shopping ('erhältlich'), or just having a quick chat ('parat').

How Formal Is It?

Nivel de dificultad

Gramática que debes saber

Dative prepositions (zu)

Two-way verbs (stehen/stellen) - though here used idiomatically

Sentence bracketing (Satzklammer)

Formal pronouns (Ihnen)

Passive voice (werden + Partizip II)

Ejemplos por nivel

1

Das Auto steht zur Verfügung.

The car is available.

Basic sentence structure: Subject + verb + zur Verfügung.

2

Ich stehe zur Verfügung.

I am available.

Using 'ich' with the verb 'stehen'.

3

Das Zimmer steht zur Verfügung.

The room is available.

Common phrase in hotels.

4

Wir stellen es zur Verfügung.

We make it available.

Using 'stellen' for an action.

5

Steht das Haus zur Verfügung?

Is the house available?

Question format: Verb first.

6

Das Buch steht zur Verfügung.

The book is available.

Simple noun usage.

7

Geld steht zur Verfügung.

Money is available.

Using uncountable nouns.

8

Der Platz steht zur Verfügung.

The seat is available.

Useful for public transport.

1

Der Raum steht uns zur Verfügung.

The room is available to us.

Adding the dative pronoun 'uns'.

2

Ich stelle dir das Buch zur Verfügung.

I make the book available to you.

Using 'dir' (dative) and 'das Buch' (accusative).

3

Steht der Arzt heute zur Verfügung?

Is the doctor available today?

Adding time expressions ('heute').

4

Wir haben Zeit zur Verfügung.

We have time available.

Using 'haben' with 'zur Verfügung'.

5

Das Internet steht hier zur Verfügung.

The internet is available here.

Adding location ('hier').

6

Er stellt das Auto zur Verfügung.

He provides the car.

Third person singular with 'stellen'.

7

Stehen Sie morgen zur Verfügung?

Are you available tomorrow? (formal)

Formal 'Sie' in a question.

8

Die Küche steht allen zur Verfügung.

The kitchen is available to everyone.

Using 'allen' (dative plural).

1

Für Rückfragen stehe ich Ihnen gerne zur Verfügung.

I am gladly available for any further questions.

Standard formal email closing.

2

Die Firma hat uns neue Laptops zur Verfügung gestellt.

The company provided us with new laptops.

Perfect tense with 'stellen'.

3

Leider steht dieser Service nicht mehr zur Verfügung.

Unfortunately, this service is no longer available.

Using negation ('nicht mehr').

4

Können Sie mir die Unterlagen bis morgen zur Verfügung stellen?

Can you make the documents available to me by tomorrow?

Modal verb 'können' pushes 'stellen' to the end.

5

Das Budget steht uns dieses Jahr nicht zur Verfügung.

The budget is not available to us this year.

Time expression 'dieses Jahr' placement.

6

Ich werde Ihnen die Informationen online zur Verfügung stellen.

I will make the information available to you online.

Future tense with 'werden'.

7

Das Hotel stellt Handtücher kostenlos zur Verfügung.

The hotel provides towels free of charge.

Adding adverbs like 'kostenlos'.

8

Wenn Sie Hilfe brauchen, stehe ich zur Verfügung.

If you need help, I am available.

Conditional clause with 'wenn'.

1

Die zur Verfügung stehenden Mittel müssen effizient genutzt werden.

The available funds must be used efficiently.

Participial attribute 'zur Verfügung stehenden'.

2

Es wird erwartet, dass die Daten zeitnah zur Verfügung gestellt werden.

It is expected that the data will be made available promptly.

Passive voice in a subordinate clause.

3

Er bedankte sich für das Material, das ihm zur Verfügung gestellt wurde.

He thanked for the material that was made available to him.

Relative clause in the passive perfect.

4

Wir müssen prüfen, welche Alternativen uns zur Verfügung stehen.

We must check which alternatives are available to us.

Indirect question.

5

Der Experte stand dem Ausschuss für Fragen zur Verfügung.

The expert was available to the committee for questions.

Simple past tense ('stand').

6

Trotz der Kürzungen stehen ausreichend Ressourcen zur Verfügung.

Despite the cuts, sufficient resources are available.

Using 'trotz' (despite) with genitive/dative.

7

Bitte stellen Sie sicher, dass die Software allen Mitarbeitern zur Verfügung steht.

Please ensure that the software is available to all employees.

'Sicherstellen, dass...' construction.

8

Die Regierung hat zusätzliche Gelder zur Verfügung gestellt.

The government has made additional funds available.

High-level vocabulary context.

1

Angesichts der Krise wurden weitreichende Befugnisse zur Verfügung gestellt.

In light of the crisis, extensive powers were made available.

Advanced vocabulary ('Angesichts', 'Befugnisse').

2

Die uns zur Verfügung stehende Zeitspanne ist äußerst knapp bemessen.

The timeframe available to us is extremely tight.

Complex subject with participial attribute.

3

Er hat sein gesamtes Vermögen der Stiftung zur Verfügung gestellt.

He placed his entire fortune at the foundation's disposal.

Formal financial context.

4

Es obliegt der Geschäftsführung, die entsprechenden Infrastrukturen zur Verfügung zu stellen.

It is incumbent upon the management to provide the appropriate infrastructures.

Infinitive clause with 'zu'.

5

Die Dokumente sind so aufzubereiten, dass sie der Öffentlichkeit zur Verfügung stehen.

The documents are to be prepared in such a way that they are available to the public.

'sein + zu + infinitive' as passive alternative.

6

Sämtliche zur Verfügung gestellten Daten unterliegen strengster Vertraulichkeit.

All provided data is subject to the strictest confidentiality.

Legal terminology.

7

Hätte uns diese Technologie früher zur Verfügung gestanden, wären viele Fehler vermieden worden.

Had this technology been available to us earlier, many mistakes would have been avoided.

Subjunctive II (Konjunktiv II) in the past.

8

Die Universität stellt den Forschern modernste Laboratorien zur Verfügung.

The university provides the researchers with state-of-the-art laboratories.

Academic context with superlative.

1

Der Angeklagte hat sich der Justiz vollumfänglich zur Verfügung zu halten.

The accused is to keep himself fully at the disposal of the justice system.

Legal imperative using 'haben zu'.

2

Die zur freien Verfügung stehenden Haushaltsmittel wurden drastisch gekürzt.

The budget funds available for free disposal were drastically cut.

Extended phrase 'zur freien Verfügung'.

3

Er stellte sein rhetorisches Talent ganz in den Dienst der Sache und somit der Partei zur Verfügung.

He placed his rhetorical talent entirely in the service of the cause and thus at the party's disposal.

Literary/political phrasing.

4

In Ermangelung anderweitig zur Verfügung stehender Evidenz musste das Gericht den Zeugenaussagen vertrauen.

In the absence of otherwise available evidence, the court had to trust the witness testimonies.

Highly formal preposition 'In Ermangelung'.

5

Die dem Gremium zur Verfügung gestellte Expertise erwies sich als unschätzbar wertvoll.

The expertise made available to the committee proved to be invaluably precious.

Complex attribute modifying 'Expertise'.

6

Es gilt, die zur Verfügung stehenden Synergien optimal auszuschöpfen.

It is necessary to optimally exploit the available synergies.

'Es gilt zu' construction.

7

Sie stellte ihre Räumlichkeiten unentgeltlich für die Benefizveranstaltung zur Verfügung.

She made her premises available free of charge for the charity event.

Nuanced vocabulary ('unentgeltlich', 'Räumlichkeiten').

8

Die von der Natur zur Verfügung gestellten Ressourcen sind endlich und bedürfen des Schutzes.

The resources provided by nature are finite and require protection.

Philosophical/environmental context.

Colocaciones comunes

zur Verfügung stehen
zur Verfügung stellen
gerne zur Verfügung
kostenlos zur Verfügung
jederzeit zur Verfügung
frei zur Verfügung
online zur Verfügung
Mittel zur Verfügung
Ressourcen zur Verfügung
Personal zur Verfügung

Se confunde a menudo con

zur Verfügung vs zu Verfügung (incorrect spelling)

zur Verfügung vs verfügbar (adjective form)

zur Verfügung vs bereit (ready, but not necessarily at disposal)

Fácil de confundir

zur Verfügung vs

zur Verfügung vs

zur Verfügung vs

zur Verfügung vs

zur Verfügung vs

Patrones de oraciones

Cómo usarlo

nuance

Implies a readiness to serve or provide without being overly subservient.

formality

Very formal and polite.

frequency

Extremely high in written German.

Errores comunes
  • Writing 'zu Verfügung'

    The noun is feminine dative, requiring 'zur'.

  • Saying 'zur Verfügung machen'

    'Machen' is an incorrect literal translation of 'make'.

  • Using accusative pronouns (mich, dich)

    The recipient of the availability must be in the dative case.

  • Writing 'zur verfügung'

    Nouns must be capitalized in German.

  • Wrong word order in perfect tense

    The phrase goes before the final participle.

Consejos

The Dative Rule

Always use dative pronouns (mir, dir, ihm, ihr, uns, euch, ihnen, Ihnen) to indicate WHO the thing is available to. Never use accusative.

Capital V

Verfügung is a noun. Never write it with a lowercase v. It is always 'zur Verfügung'.

Stehen vs. Stellen

Memorize this: Stehen = State (It is available). Stellen = Action (I make it available). This is the most important distinction.

Email Sign-offs

Memorize the phrase 'Für Rückfragen stehe ich Ihnen gerne zur Verfügung'. It is the perfect way to end any professional email.

The V Sound

In German, the letter 'v' is usually pronounced like an English 'f'. So 'Verfügung' sounds like 'fer-fyoo-gung'.

Word Order

Keep the phrase together. Do not split 'zur' and 'Verfügung'. Place it towards the end of your sentence.

Professional Tone

Use this phrase in job interviews to sound highly professional. 'Ich stehe ab sofort zur Verfügung' is a great sentence to know.

No 'Machen'

Erase 'zur Verfügung machen' from your brain. It does not exist in German. Only use stehen, stellen, or sometimes halten/bleiben.

Spotting the Noun

When reading, look for the noun before 'steht zur Verfügung' to know exactly what is available.

Listen for the R

Native speakers say 'zur' very quickly, but the 'r' is there. Training your ear to hear it will help you remember to write it.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Imagine a FURRY GOON (Verfügung) standing ready to help you. He is 'zur Verfügung' (at your disposal).

Origen de la palabra

Contexto cultural

High. Perfect for business, academic, and customer service contexts.

Universally understood and used identically in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Inicios de conversación

"Steht der Besprechungsraum heute Nachmittag zur Verfügung?"

"Können Sie mir die Präsentation zur Verfügung stellen?"

"Ab wann stehen Sie für das Projekt zur Verfügung?"

"Steht hier WLAN zur Verfügung?"

"Wer steht als Ansprechpartner zur Verfügung?"

Temas para diario

Write a formal email offering your help to a colleague using 'zur Verfügung'.

Describe a time when important resources were not 'zur Verfügung' and how you handled it.

List five things that 'stehen dir zur Verfügung' in your current workplace or school.

Write a dialogue between a hotel receptionist and a guest using this phrase.

Explain the difference between 'stehen' and 'stellen' in your own words.

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Because 'Verfügung' is a feminine noun (die Verfügung). The preposition 'zu' always requires the dative case. The dative form of 'die' is 'der'. 'Zu' + 'der' contracts to 'zur'.

No. Saying 'zur Verfügung machen' is a direct translation from English ('make available') and is completely wrong in German. You must use 'stellen'.

Yes. In German, all nouns are capitalized. 'Verfügung' is a noun, so it must always start with a capital 'V', even in the middle of a sentence.

'Stehen' is used when something IS available (a state). 'Stellen' is used when someone MAKES something available (an action). 'Das Auto steht zur Verfügung' vs. 'Ich stelle das Auto zur Verfügung'.

In a casual setting with friends, 'Ich stehe zur Verfügung' sounds too formal. You would simply say 'Ich habe Zeit' (I have time) or 'Ich bin da' (I am here).

It typically goes at the end of the clause. If there is a helper verb (like 'kann' or 'habe'), the main verb ('stehen' or 'stellen') goes to the very end, and 'zur Verfügung' goes right before it.

No. The person who receives the availability must be in the dative case. So it is 'mir zur Verfügung' (to me), not 'mich' (accusative).

'Verfügbar' is an adjective meaning 'available'. It can often be used interchangeably in meaning, e.g., 'Das Auto ist verfügbar' means the same as 'Das Auto steht zur Verfügung', but the grammar is different.

It means 'at one's free disposal'. It implies that you can use the resource, time, or money however you want, without any restrictions.

Yes, 'zur Verfügung' is standard German and is used extensively and identically in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

Ponte a prueba 200 preguntas

writing

Translate: The car is available.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Basic state of availability.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Basic state of availability.

writing

Translate: I am available.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Using 'ich' and 'stehe'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Using 'ich' and 'stehe'.

writing

Translate: We make it available.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Using 'wir' and 'stellen'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Using 'wir' and 'stellen'.

writing

Translate: The room is available.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Basic state.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Basic state.

writing

Translate: The room is available to us.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Adding dative 'uns'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Adding dative 'uns'.

writing

Translate: I make the book available to you (informal).

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Adding dative 'dir'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Adding dative 'dir'.

writing

Translate: Is the doctor available today?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Question format with time.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Question format with time.

writing

Translate: He provides the car.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Third person 'stellt'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Third person 'stellt'.

writing

Translate: I am gladly available for further questions.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Standard email phrase.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Standard email phrase.

writing

Translate: The company provided us with laptops.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Perfect tense.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Perfect tense.

writing

Translate: Can you make the documents available to me?

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Modal verb construction.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Modal verb construction.

writing

Translate: The budget is not available to us.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Negation.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Negation.

writing

Translate: The available funds must be used.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Participial attribute.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Participial attribute.

writing

Translate: It is expected that the data will be made available.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Passive subordinate clause.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Passive subordinate clause.

writing

Translate: The expert was available to the committee.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Simple past.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Simple past.

writing

Translate: Despite the cuts, resources are available.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Using 'trotz'.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Using 'trotz'.

writing

Translate: He placed his fortune at the foundation's disposal.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Formal vocabulary.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Formal vocabulary.

writing

Translate: The timeframe available to us is tight.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Complex attribute.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Complex attribute.

writing

Translate: The accused is to keep himself available to the justice system.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Legal imperative.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Legal imperative.

writing

Translate: The funds available for free disposal were cut.

Well written! Good try! Check the sample answer below.

Extended phrase.

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Extended phrase.

speaking

Say: The car is available.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Pronounce 'zur' clearly.

speaking

Say: I am available.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Pronounce 'stehe'.

speaking

Say: We make it available.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Pronounce 'stellen'.

speaking

Say: The room is available.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Pronounce 'Zimmer'.

speaking

Say: The room is available to us.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Emphasize 'uns'.

speaking

Say: I make the book available to you.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Emphasize 'dir'.

speaking

Say: Is the doctor available today?

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Rising intonation for question.

speaking

Say: He provides the car.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Pronounce 'stellt'.

speaking

Say: I am gladly available for further questions.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Professional tone.

speaking

Say: The company provided us with laptops.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Perfect tense pronunciation.

speaking

Say: Can you make the documents available to me?

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Polite request intonation.

speaking

Say: The budget is not available to us.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Emphasize 'nicht'.

speaking

Say: The available funds must be used.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Fluid pronunciation of the attribute.

speaking

Say: It is expected that the data will be made available.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Passive voice rhythm.

speaking

Say: The expert was available to the committee.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Past tense 'stand'.

speaking

Say: Despite the cuts, resources are available.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Pronounce 'Kürzungen'.

speaking

Say: He placed his fortune at the foundation's disposal.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Formal rhythm.

speaking

Say: The timeframe available to us is tight.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Complex attribute pronunciation.

speaking

Say: The accused is to keep himself available to the justice system.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Authoritative tone.

speaking

Say: The funds available for free disposal were cut.

Read this aloud:

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Fluid delivery of long phrase.

listening

Listen and identify the verb: 'Das Auto steht zur Verfügung.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

The verb is steht.

listening

Listen and identify the verb: 'Wir stellen es zur Verfügung.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

The verb is stellen.

listening

Listen and identify the missing word: 'Ich stehe ___ Verfügung.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

It is always zur.

listening

Listen and identify the pronoun: 'Der Raum steht uns zur Verfügung.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

The pronoun is uns.

listening

Listen and identify the pronoun: 'Ich stelle dir das Buch zur Verfügung.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

The pronoun is dir.

listening

Listen and identify the time: 'Steht der Arzt heute zur Verfügung?'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

The time is heute.

listening

Listen and identify the tense: 'Die Firma hat uns Laptops zur Verfügung gestellt.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

hat gestellt is perfect tense.

listening

Listen and identify the negation: 'Das Budget steht uns nicht zur Verfügung.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

The negation is nicht.

listening

Listen and identify the modal verb: 'Können Sie mir die Unterlagen zur Verfügung stellen?'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

The modal verb is Können.

listening

Listen and identify the attribute: 'Die zur Verfügung stehenden Mittel...'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

stehenden is the participial attribute.

listening

Listen and identify the voice: '...dass die Daten zur Verfügung gestellt werden.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

gestellt werden is passive.

listening

Listen and identify the tense: 'Der Experte stand dem Ausschuss zur Verfügung.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

stand is simple past.

listening

Listen and identify the noun: 'Er hat sein Vermögen der Stiftung zur Verfügung gestellt.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Vermögen is the direct object.

listening

Listen and identify the adjective: 'Die uns zur Verfügung stehende Zeitspanne ist knapp.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

knapp describes the timeframe.

listening

Listen and identify the legal term: 'Der Angeklagte hat sich der Justiz zur Verfügung zu halten.'

¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:
¡Correcto! No del todo. Respuesta correcta:

Angeklagte means accused.

/ 200 correct

Perfect score!

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