En 15 secondes
- Use 'machen' (to make), never 'geben' (to give) for compliments.
- The person receiving the compliment must be in the Dative case.
- Germans value sincerity over frequent, empty flattery in social settings.
Signification
This is the standard way to say you're praising someone or telling them something nice. Instead of 'giving' a compliment like in English, Germans 'make' one.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6After a home-cooked dinner
Ich muss dir ein Kompliment für das leckere Essen machen.
I have to give you a compliment for the delicious food.
In a professional meeting
Darf ich Ihnen ein Kompliment zu Ihrer Präsentation machen?
May I give you a compliment on your presentation?
Texting a friend about their new look
Wow, tolles Foto! Wollte dir nur kurz ein Kompliment machen.
Wow, great photo! Just wanted to give you a quick compliment.
Contexte culturel
Compliments are often very specific. Instead of saying 'You look good', a German might say 'That color really suits you'. Sincerity is key; over-the-top American-style enthusiasm can sometimes be perceived as fake. In Vienna, compliments can be wrapped in 'Schmäh' (a specific type of Viennese humor/irony). A compliment might sound slightly teasing but is intended to be warm. Swiss culture values modesty. When making a compliment, it's often best to keep it understated. Using 'ganz gut' (quite good) can actually be a high compliment in Swiss German contexts. In a professional setting, compliments are usually reserved for results and hard work rather than personal appearance, especially between different genders, to maintain professional boundaries.
Be Specific
Instead of a general compliment, mention a specific detail. It sounds more sincere in German culture.
Avoid 'Geben'
Never say 'Ich gebe dir ein Kompliment'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from English.
En 15 secondes
- Use 'machen' (to make), never 'geben' (to give) for compliments.
- The person receiving the compliment must be in the Dative case.
- Germans value sincerity over frequent, empty flattery in social settings.
What It Means
Think of this as your social superpower. It is the standard way to praise someone. In English, we 'give' compliments. In German, you 'make' them. It sounds more active, right? You are building a nice moment. It covers everything from looks to skills. It is a 'collocation'. That means these words always hang out together. You won't find them apart very often.
How To Use It
The grammar is quite simple. You use the verb machen. The person getting the praise is in the dative. For example: Ich mache dir ein Kompliment. If you are being polite, use Ihnen. You can add adjectives too. Try ein schönes Kompliment or ein nettes Kompliment. Just don't use the verb geben. That sounds like a direct translation mistake. It is like saying 'I make a walk' instead of 'take a walk'. Stick to machen and you will sound like a pro. You can also use it in the past tense. Say Er hat mir ein Kompliment gemacht.
When To Use It
Use it when you feel genuine. Germans love honesty. If your friend cooks a great meal, say it. If a colleague solves a hard problem, mention it. It works great on dates too. A simple Ich muss dir ein Kompliment machen is a great icebreaker. It shows you are paying attention. Even a stranger might appreciate a quick word. Maybe you like someone's dog or their cool jacket. Just keep it brief and move on. It makes the world a bit friendlier.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid using it too much. If you 'make' ten compliments in a minute, it feels fake. Germans might think you want something from them. They value their Privatsphäre or privacy. Also, be careful at work. Keep it professional. Don't focus only on physical looks in the office. It can get awkward fast. If the vibe is serious, stay focused. If someone looks busy or stressed, maybe wait. A compliment at the wrong time can feel like a distraction.
Cultural Background
Germans have a reputation for being direct. They don't always sugarcoat things. This makes a compliment very valuable. If a German 'makes' you a compliment, they mean it. It is not just empty small talk. Historically, formal etiquette was very strict. Today, it is much more relaxed. But the sincerity remains the core. In some regions, like Northern Germany, people are even more reserved. A small 'not bad' is often the highest praise there. Don't be discouraged!
Common Variations
You might hear jemanden mit Komplimenten überhäufen. This means to shower someone with praise. It is a bit dramatic. You can also say ein Kompliment annehmen. That means to accept one. Some people say ein Kompliment zurückgeben to return the favor. It is a nice social dance. You might also hear ein vergiftetes Kompliment. That is a backhanded compliment. It sounds nice but has a hidden sting. Avoid those if you want to keep your friends!
Notes d'usage
The phrase is universally understood and safe to use. The biggest hurdle is remembering the Dative case for the recipient and avoiding the literal translation of 'give'.
Be Specific
Instead of a general compliment, mention a specific detail. It sounds more sincere in German culture.
Avoid 'Geben'
Never say 'Ich gebe dir ein Kompliment'. It's a dead giveaway that you're translating from English.
Use 'Darf ich...'
Starting with 'Darf ich Ihnen ein Kompliment machen?' makes you sound incredibly polite and sophisticated.
Modesty is Key
If you receive a compliment, a simple 'Danke, das ist nett von dir' is perfect. Don't feel the need to brag.
Exemples
6Ich muss dir ein Kompliment für das leckere Essen machen.
I have to give you a compliment for the delicious food.
A very common way to thank a host.
Darf ich Ihnen ein Kompliment zu Ihrer Präsentation machen?
May I give you a compliment on your presentation?
Uses 'Ihnen' for formal respect in a work environment.
Wow, tolles Foto! Wollte dir nur kurz ein Kompliment machen.
Wow, great photo! Just wanted to give you a quick compliment.
Casual and direct for social media or messaging.
Mach mir keine Komplimente, ich weiß, dass ich toll bin!
Don't give me compliments, I know I'm great!
Playful arrogance used among close friends.
Er hat ihr ein wunderschönes Kompliment gemacht.
He gave her a beautiful compliment.
Using an adjective like 'wunderschön' adds emotional depth.
Sie macht anderen Leuten ständig Komplimente.
She is constantly giving other people compliments.
Describes a personality trait of being very positive.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of 'machen' and the correct dative pronoun.
Ich ___ (present) ___ (you, informal) ein Kompliment.
The subject 'Ich' requires 'mache', and the person receiving the compliment must be in the dative case (dir).
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
Choose the natural German way to say 'He gave her a compliment'.
German uses 'machen' in the perfect tense (hat gemacht) and the dative 'ihr'.
Match the German phrase with its English meaning.
Match the following:
These are the standard translations for these common social phrases.
Complete the dialogue with the correct phrase.
A: Dein Deutsch ist wirklich super! B: Oh, danke! ___
When someone praises you, the standard response is to thank them for the compliment.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
German vs English Verbs
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIch ___ (present) ___ (you, informal) ein Kompliment.
The subject 'Ich' requires 'mache', and the person receiving the compliment must be in the dative case (dir).
Choose the natural German way to say 'He gave her a compliment'.
German uses 'machen' in the perfect tense (hat gemacht) and the dative 'ihr'.
Associez chaque element a gauche avec son pair a droite :
These are the standard translations for these common social phrases.
A: Dein Deutsch ist wirklich super! B: Oh, danke! ___
When someone praises you, the standard response is to thank them for the compliment.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
14 questionsEven then, we usually say 'eine Karte mit einem Kompliment schenken'. 'Kompliment machen' remains the verbal act.
Yes, but keep it professional. Focus on their leadership or a specific decision rather than their appearance.
'Lob' is usually for performance (work, school), while 'Kompliment' is for personal qualities or appearance.
The German expression is 'nach Komplimenten fischen' or 'Komplimente einfangen'.
Both are used. 'Für' is more common for actions/efforts, 'zu' is common for appearance or events.
No, 'tun' is incorrect here. Only 'machen' is used in this collocation.
It's less common than in the US, but usually welcomed if it's respectful and brief.
The most common way is 'Danke!' or 'Vielen Dank, das ist sehr nett von dir/Ihnen.'
It is neuter: {das|n} Kompliment.
Yes, it's very common in professional emails to build rapport.
It's a modern term (often used in workshops) where everyone says something nice about one person.
Yes, but it's very formal and rare. Stick to 'ein Kompliment machen'.
Yes, 'Er hat ihr viele Komplimente gemacht' is perfectly correct.
It can be, but it depends entirely on the context and what you are complimenting.
Expressions liées
jemanden loben
similarTo praise someone
jemandem schmeicheln
similarTo flatter someone
ein Lob aussprechen
formalTo voice praise
Komplimente einfangen
idiomTo fish for compliments
jemandem Honig um den Mund schmieren
idiomTo butter someone up
