In 15 Seconds
- A formal way to say 'referring to' in German.
- Always pairs with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative case.
- Perfect for professional emails and structured business discussions.
Meaning
This phrase is like building a bridge back to a previous conversation or document. It is a classy way to say 'referring to' or 'regarding' something already mentioned.
Key Examples
3 of 7Writing a professional email follow-up
Ich nehme Bezug auf unser gestriges Telefonat.
I am referring to our telephone conversation yesterday.
Submitting a formal complaint
Wir nehmen Bezug auf Ihr Schreiben vom 10. Mai.
We are referring to your letter from May 10th.
Texting a friend ironically
Bezug nehmend auf deine Pizza-Frage: Ja, ich habe Hunger!
Referring to your pizza question: Yes, I am hungry!
Cultural Background
In Germany, 'Bezug nehmen auf' is part of the 'Protokoll'. It shows you are paying attention to detail and respecting the hierarchy of information. Austrian German (Österreichisches Deutsch) uses this phrase even more frequently in official 'Amtsdeutsch' (bureaucratic language), often in even longer, more complex sentences. University culture in Germany is very formal. Students are expected to use 'Bezug nehmen' in their 'Hausarbeiten' (term papers) to link their ideas to existing research. In Swiss business contexts, clarity is king. 'Bezug nehmen' is used to ensure that every email in a long chain is clearly linked to the original 'Betreff' (subject).
The 'Email Opener' Trick
If you want to sound like a native professional, always start your follow-up emails with 'Ich nehme Bezug auf unser Gespräch vom [Datum]'.
Case Alert!
Remember: auf + Akkusativ. It's the most common mistake at the B2 level.
In 15 Seconds
- A formal way to say 'referring to' in German.
- Always pairs with the preposition 'auf' and the accusative case.
- Perfect for professional emails and structured business discussions.
What It Means
Imagine you are building a bridge between two ideas. Bezug nehmen auf is that bridge. It tells people exactly what you are talking about. It is like saying 'About that thing we discussed...' but classier. It helps you point back to a previous point. It ensures everyone is on the same page. Think of it as a verbal anchor. You are anchoring your current words to a past event.
How To Use It
You need three parts: the phrase and the preposition auf. After auf, always use the accusative case. For example, use auf das Gespräch or auf Ihren Brief. It is a fixed set. You cannot swap nehmen for another verb. It is a Nomen-Verb-Verbindung. This means the noun and verb work as a team. You can use it at the start of a sentence. Or you can tuck it into the middle. Just remember the auf is non-negotiable.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to look sharp. It is perfect for professional emails. Use it in meetings to sound organized. It works well when following up on a request. Even in serious personal talks, it adds weight. It shows you have been paying attention. It makes your arguments feel more structured. If you are writing a cover letter, use it. It proves you are professional and articulate. It is a great way to start a formal complaint too.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it at a loud party. Your friends might think you are a robot. Avoid it when asking for a favor from your mom. It sounds too detached for intimate moments. Keep it away from slang-heavy chats. If you are just hanging out, use wegen. Overusing it makes you sound like a lawyer. If you are ordering a Döner, definitely skip it. The guy at the stand will just be confused. Keep it for the office or serious emails.
Cultural Background
Germans value precision in communication. They like to know the context immediately. This phrase is a staple of Beamtendeutsch or bureaucratic German. It shows you are serious and attentive. It has been a business standard for decades. It reflects the German desire for clear, logical connections. In Germany, being sachlich (objective) is a high compliment. This phrase helps you achieve that objective tone perfectly. It is the language of contracts and official letters.
Common Variations
The most common alternative is sich beziehen auf. It means the same thing but feels lighter. You can also use hinsichtlich for 'regarding.' In very formal writing, you might see unter Bezugnahme auf. Stick to the main phrase for B2 exams. It is the gold standard for formal clarity. You might also hear was ... betrifft. But that is much more casual. Bezug nehmen auf remains the king of formal links.
Usage Notes
This is a formal Nomen-Verb-Verbindung. It is primarily used in written correspondence, legal contexts, or professional business settings to establish clear context.
The 'Email Opener' Trick
If you want to sound like a native professional, always start your follow-up emails with 'Ich nehme Bezug auf unser Gespräch vom [Datum]'.
Case Alert!
Remember: auf + Akkusativ. It's the most common mistake at the B2 level.
Don't overdo it
Using this phrase more than once in a short email makes you sound like a lawyer. Use 'sich beziehen auf' or 'bezüglich' to vary your language.
Examples
7Ich nehme Bezug auf unser gestriges Telefonat.
I am referring to our telephone conversation yesterday.
This is the most standard way to start a professional follow-up email.
Wir nehmen Bezug auf Ihr Schreiben vom 10. Mai.
We are referring to your letter from May 10th.
Common in legal or customer service correspondence.
Bezug nehmend auf deine Pizza-Frage: Ja, ich habe Hunger!
Referring to your pizza question: Yes, I am hungry!
Using formal language in a text adds a touch of humor.
Ich möchte kurz Bezug auf das nehmen, was du vorhin gesagt hast.
I would like to briefly refer to what you said earlier.
Helps structure a serious conversation without getting too emotional.
Darf ich kurz auf den letzten Punkt Bezug nehmen?
May I briefly refer to the last point?
A polite way to interject and stay on topic.
Ich wollte nur Bezug auf deinen Vorschlag nehmen, er war super!
I just wanted to refer to your suggestion, it was great!
Formal but friendly praise.
Nimm bitte keinen Bezug auf mein Outfit von gestern!
Please don't refer to my outfit from yesterday!
Using a formal phrase for a silly topic creates a funny contrast.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct preposition and article (Akkusativ).
Ich nehme Bezug ______ ______ (der) Brief von gestern.
The phrase 'Bezug nehmen' always requires 'auf' + Akkusativ. 'Brief' is masculine, so it becomes 'den'.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal business email?
How should you start a follow-up email?
Option A uses the correct verb (nehmen) and preposition (auf).
Complete the dialogue in a professional manner.
Chef: 'Haben Sie die neuen Verkaufszahlen?' Angestellter: 'Ja, ______ ______ ______ ______ (referring to the) Bericht, den ich Ihnen geschickt habe, sind die Zahlen gestiegen.'
The participle 'Bezug nehmend auf' is the most elegant way to start this sentence in a formal context.
Match the register to the sentence.
Match the following:
This shows the hierarchy of formality in German discourse.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Formality Levels
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch nehme Bezug ______ ______ (der) Brief von gestern.
The phrase 'Bezug nehmen' always requires 'auf' + Akkusativ. 'Brief' is masculine, so it becomes 'den'.
How should you start a follow-up email?
Option A uses the correct verb (nehmen) and preposition (auf).
Chef: 'Haben Sie die neuen Verkaufszahlen?' Angestellter: 'Ja, ______ ______ ______ ______ (referring to the) Bericht, den ich Ihnen geschickt habe, sind die Zahlen gestiegen.'
The participle 'Bezug nehmend auf' is the most elegant way to start this sentence in a formal context.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
This shows the hierarchy of formality in German discourse.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsNeither is 'better', but 'Bezug nehmen auf' is more formal and common in written business German, while 'sich beziehen auf' is slightly more common in spoken professional German.
Usually no. You refer to things people said, wrote, or did, but you don't 'take reference on a person'. Use 'sich auf jemanden beziehen' if you mean you are citing them.
Always the Akkusativ case.
No, that is grammatically incorrect. The preposition is fixed as 'auf'.
Yes, it is standard in Swiss High German business and legal contexts.
Ich nahm Bezug auf... (Präteritum) or Ich habe Bezug auf... genommen (Perfekt).
'Erwähnen' just means to mention something briefly. 'Bezug nehmen' means to actively link your current topic to that thing.
Only if you are being ironic or talking to a very formal business contact.
It is written as two words: 'Bezug nehmend'.
'Wegen' or 'Über ... sprechen' are good simpler alternatives.
Related Phrases
sich beziehen auf
similarTo refer to
anknüpfen an
builds onTo follow up on / pick up from
hindeuten auf
similarTo point towards
verweisen auf
specialized formTo refer/direct to
in Betracht ziehen
contrastTo take into consideration
