En 15 secondes
- Use it for professional scheduling like doctors or banks.
- Avoid using it for casual hangouts with your friends.
- The formal version uses the verb 'vereinbaren' instead of 'machen'.
Signification
This phrase is the standard way to say you are scheduling a specific time and date for a meeting or service. It is used for anything from a doctor's visit to a business meeting.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6At the doctor's office
Ich möchte einen Termin beim Arzt machen.
I would like to make an appointment with the doctor.
Calling the hair salon
Kann ich für morgen einen Termin machen?
Can I make an appointment for tomorrow?
Formal business email
Wir sollten einen Termin für das Meeting machen.
We should make an appointment for the meeting.
Contexte culturel
Punctuality is essential. If you make a Termin, you must be there on time. Similar to Germany, but often slightly more formal in tone. Very strict about appointments; being late is highly discouraged. In global settings, German speakers may use 'Termin' even when speaking English to refer to a meeting.
Use 'vereinbaren' for work
If you are emailing a boss or client, use 'vereinbaren' instead of 'machen' to sound more professional.
Don't be late
If you make a Termin, arriving even 5 minutes late can be seen as disrespectful.
En 15 secondes
- Use it for professional scheduling like doctors or banks.
- Avoid using it for casual hangouts with your friends.
- The formal version uses the verb 'vereinbaren' instead of 'machen'.
What It Means
This phrase is your golden ticket to organized German life. It means you are setting a specific time and date. You use it for professional or official meetings. Think of it as locking a slot in a calendar.
How To Use It
The verb machen is very flexible here. You can say Ich möchte einen Termin machen. It is simple and works in most daily situations. You just need the accusative case for einen Termin. If you want to sound fancier, use vereinbaren. But for a beginner, machen is perfectly fine.
When To Use It
Use this at the doctor or the dentist. Use it when you need to see a lawyer. It is perfect for the hair salon or the bank. Even for a job interview, this phrase works well. If there is a desk and a calendar, use this.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for a casual coffee date. If you tell a friend Ich möchte einen Termin machen, they might laugh. It sounds way too formal for friends. Use treffen or etwas ausmachen for social plans. Don't use it for deadlines either; that is just Frist.
Cultural Background
Germany is famous for its love of planning. Spontaneous visits are quite rare in professional settings. Even some government offices require an appointment weeks in advance. This phrase reflects the German respect for time and structure. Without a Termin, you might wait for hours.
Common Variations
You will often hear einen Termin vereinbaren in formal letters. It sounds more professional than machen. Another common one is einen Termin ausmachen. This is slightly more casual but still very common. If you need to change it, say den Termin verschieben. If you must cancel, use den Termin absagen.
Notes d'usage
The phrase is neutral and safe for 90% of situations. Just remember to switch to 'vereinbaren' for high-level business or very formal government correspondence.
Use 'vereinbaren' for work
If you are emailing a boss or client, use 'vereinbaren' instead of 'machen' to sound more professional.
Don't be late
If you make a Termin, arriving even 5 minutes late can be seen as disrespectful.
Exemples
6Ich möchte einen Termin beim Arzt machen.
I would like to make an appointment with the doctor.
A standard way to start a conversation at a medical reception.
Kann ich für morgen einen Termin machen?
Can I make an appointment for tomorrow?
Uses 'kann ich' for a polite request.
Wir sollten einen Termin für das Meeting machen.
We should make an appointment for the meeting.
Simple and direct for workplace coordination.
Lass uns einen Termin ausmachen!
Let's set a date/appointment!
Using 'ausmachen' is a common, slightly more casual variation.
Ich muss einen Termin mit meinem Sofa machen.
I need to make an appointment with my sofa.
A funny way to say you are exhausted and need rest.
Ich habe endlich einen Termin bei der Therapie gemacht.
I finally made an appointment for therapy.
Shows taking an important step in personal health.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct article for 'Termin'.
Ich muss _____ Termin beim Arzt machen.
Termin is masculine, and it is the direct object, so we use the accusative 'einen'.
Which verb is most common for scheduling?
Ich _____ einen Termin.
To schedule an appointment is 'einen Termin machen'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ich brauche einen Termin. B: Gerne, wann _____ es Ihnen?
'Wann passt es Ihnen?' is the standard way to ask 'When does it suit you?'.
🎉 Score : /3
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
3 exercicesIch muss _____ Termin beim Arzt machen.
Termin is masculine, and it is the direct object, so we use the accusative 'einen'.
Ich _____ einen Termin.
To schedule an appointment is 'einen Termin machen'.
A: Ich brauche einen Termin. B: Gerne, wann _____ es Ihnen?
'Wann passt es Ihnen?' is the standard way to ask 'When does it suit you?'.
🎉 Score : /3
Questions fréquentes
2 questionsYes, it is very flexible and widely accepted.
No, it is for any scheduled meeting.
Expressions liées
einen Termin vereinbaren
synonymTo agree on an appointment
einen Termin absagen
contrastTo cancel an appointment
einen Termin verschieben
similarTo reschedule
einen Termin haben
builds onTo have an appointment
