Signification
To transmit information when someone is unavailable.
Contexte culturel
When leaving a message on an office phone, it is considered professional to state your full name, company, and phone number twice—once at the beginning and once at the end. In Switzerland, you might hear the word 'Telefonbeantworter' more often than 'Anrufbeantworter' for the machine itself, but the phrase 'Nachricht hinterlassen' remains the standard. With the rise of WhatsApp, Germans often say 'Ich schick dir eine Sprachnachricht' (I'll send you a voice message) instead of 'hinterlassen' if they are doing it actively.
The 'No-Ge' Rule
Always remember that 'hinterlassen' is inseparable. If you say 'hintergelassen', Germans will understand you, but it's a very obvious beginner mistake.
Be Specific
In Germany, don't just say 'Call me back'. Say 'Call me back regarding the meeting at 2 PM'. It's more helpful.
Signification
To transmit information when someone is unavailable.
The 'No-Ge' Rule
Always remember that 'hinterlassen' is inseparable. If you say 'hintergelassen', Germans will understand you, but it's a very obvious beginner mistake.
Be Specific
In Germany, don't just say 'Call me back'. Say 'Call me back regarding the meeting at 2 PM'. It's more helpful.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct form of the verb in the Perfekt tense.
Ich habe ihm gestern eine Nachricht ______.
Inseparable verbs like 'hinterlassen' do not take the 'ge-' prefix in the past participle.
Which sentence is correct for a formal phone call?
You want to leave a message for Ms. Bauer.
'Möchte' is polite, and 'hinterlassen' is the correct verb.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hallo, ist Peter da? B: Nein, er ist im Kino. A: Okay, kann ich ______ ______ ______?
This is the standard response when someone is not available.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You are leaving a Post-it on your colleague's desk.
Leaving a physical note is also 'eine Nachricht hinterlassen'.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Types of Messages
Digital
- • Mailbox
- • SMS
Physical
- • Zettel
- • Post-it
- • Brief
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesIch habe ihm gestern eine Nachricht ______.
Inseparable verbs like 'hinterlassen' do not take the 'ge-' prefix in the past participle.
You want to leave a message for Ms. Bauer.
'Möchte' is polite, and 'hinterlassen' is the correct verb.
A: Hallo, ist Peter da? B: Nein, er ist im Kino. A: Okay, kann ich ______ ______ ______?
This is the standard response when someone is not available.
You are leaving a Post-it on your colleague's desk.
Leaving a physical note is also 'eine Nachricht hinterlassen'.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
4 questionsTechnically yes, but it sounds a bit formal. Usually, you would say 'Ich habe dir eine Nachricht geschickt' (I sent you a message).
Yes, it is always '{die|f} Nachricht'.
'Nachricht' is a personal message or news. 'Meldung' is a formal report or notification (like a system error).
No, you must use the full verb 'hinterlassen'. 'Lassen' alone means 'to let' or 'to allow'.
Expressions liées
jemanden zurückrufen
similarTo call someone back.
etwas ausrichten
synonymTo pass on a message.
eine Notiz machen
similarTo make a note.
