In 15 Seconds
- Being the primary decision-maker in a group.
- Equivalent to 'calling the shots' or 'being in charge'.
- Used in offices, families, and social circles.
Meaning
It means you're the one calling the shots and making the final decisions. If you have 'das Sagen,' you are the boss of that specific situation.
Key Examples
3 of 7Discussing office hierarchy
In unserer Abteilung hat Frau Müller das Sagen.
In our department, Ms. Müller is in charge.
Talking about a relationship
Eigentlich hat seine Frau zu Hause das Sagen.
Actually, his wife calls the shots at home.
Arriving at a chaotic event
Wer hat hier eigentlich das Sagen?
Who is actually in charge here?
Cultural Background
Traditionally, German companies have a 'Meister' system where the person with the most technical skill has 'das Sagen'. This is different from the US, where 'leadership' is often seen as a separate soft skill. In Switzerland, the concept of 'das Sagen haben' is often applied to the people ('das {das|n} Volk'). Through referendums, the citizens have the final say on laws. While older generations were more patriarchal, modern German-speaking families emphasize 'Aushandeln' (negotiation). However, the phrase is still used jokingly to describe who really runs the house. In Berlin's international tech scene, English is often the language of work, but 'das Sagen haben' is still used to describe the 'Founders' or 'Investors' power dynamics.
Use it with 'hier'
Adding 'hier' (Wer hat hier das Sagen?) makes you sound much more natural and assertive.
Capitalization
Always capitalize 'Sagen'. If you write 'das sagen', it looks like a mistake in a sentence like 'Ich will das sagen' (I want to say that).
In 15 Seconds
- Being the primary decision-maker in a group.
- Equivalent to 'calling the shots' or 'being in charge'.
- Used in offices, families, and social circles.
What It Means
Imagine you are at a dinner party. Everyone is arguing about which pizza to order. Suddenly, one person stands up and decides. That person has das Sagen. It is about having the authority to speak and be heard. It is not just about talking. It is about your words having the weight of a command. In English, we might say someone 'calls the shots' or 'wears the pants.' It describes the person who holds the power in a room.
How To Use It
You use this phrase with the verb haben. It usually appears as das Sagen haben. You can use it to describe a permanent boss. You can also use it for a temporary leader. If you want to ask who is in charge, you ask: Wer hat hier das Sagen? It is a very flexible phrase. You can use it for people, but also for organizations. Just remember that Sagen is a noun here. That is why it is capitalized.
When To Use It
Use it at work when discussing project leads. It is perfect for talking about family dynamics too. Use it when you are observing a group of friends. Usually, one friend is the 'alpha' who decides the plans. You can even use it in sports. The coach usually has das Sagen on the field. It is great for any situation with a hierarchy. It feels natural and slightly more descriptive than just saying der Chef sein.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for tiny, insignificant things. If you are just holding a pen, you don't 'have the saying' over it. Avoid using it in extremely rigid military contexts. There, specific ranks are more appropriate. Also, do not use it if someone is just talking a lot. Having das Sagen means people actually follow what you say. It is about power, not just volume. If you use it sarcastically, make sure your tone is clear!
Cultural Background
Germans generally appreciate knowing who is responsible for what. Clarity in hierarchy helps things run smoothly in German culture. The phrase dates back to times when the right to speak in a council was a privilege. If you had the 'say,' you had a vote and influence. Today, it reflects that same respect for decision-making power. It is a staple in both office corridors and living rooms across Germany.
Common Variations
You will often hear nichts zu sagen haben. This is the sad opposite. It means you have no influence at all. Another variation is das Sagen übernehmen. This means you are stepping up to take control. Sometimes people say alleiniges Sagen. That means you are the absolute ruler of that domain. No co-captains allowed there!
Usage Notes
The phrase is incredibly stable across all registers. The only thing to watch for is the capitalization of 'Sagen' and ensuring you use 'haben' as the auxiliary verb.
Use it with 'hier'
Adding 'hier' (Wer hat hier das Sagen?) makes you sound much more natural and assertive.
Capitalization
Always capitalize 'Sagen'. If you write 'das sagen', it looks like a mistake in a sentence like 'Ich will das sagen' (I want to say that).
Irony
Germans often use this phrase ironically. If someone is acting bossy but has no power, you might say: 'Na, hast du heute wieder das Sagen?'
Examples
7In unserer Abteilung hat Frau Müller das Sagen.
In our department, Ms. Müller is in charge.
A standard way to identify a supervisor.
Eigentlich hat seine Frau zu Hause das Sagen.
Actually, his wife calls the shots at home.
A common social observation about domestic life.
Wer hat hier eigentlich das Sagen?
Who is actually in charge here?
Used when looking for someone to solve a problem.
Sag mir einfach, wer das Sagen hat, damit ich weiß, wen ich fragen muss.
Just tell me who's in charge so I know who to ask.
Practical use for organizing logistics.
In dieser Wohnung hat der Hund das Sagen.
The dog is the boss in this apartment.
A funny way to say the pet gets whatever it wants.
Ich will in meiner eigenen Firma das Sagen haben.
I want to be the one in charge in my own company.
Expressing a desire for autonomy and power.
Der Aufsichtsrat hat bei dieser Entscheidung das Sagen.
The supervisory board has the final say in this decision.
Shows the phrase works in high-level corporate settings.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to complete the phrase.
In meiner {die|f} Firma ______ mein {der|m} Chef das ______.
The phrase is 'das Sagen haben', and 'Sagen' must be capitalized as it is a noun.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'I have no say here'?
This is the standard way to express a lack of authority.
Match the person to the situation where they 'das Sagen haben'.
1. Im {der|m} OP-Saal... | 2. Im {der|m} Flugzeug... | 3. Im {der|m} Klassenzimmer...
These roles represent the primary authority in their respective environments.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesIn meiner {die|f} Firma ______ mein {der|m} Chef das ______.
The phrase is 'das Sagen haben', and 'Sagen' must be capitalized as it is a noun.
How do you say 'I have no say here'?
This is the standard way to express a lack of authority.
1. Im {der|m} OP-Saal... | 2. Im {der|m} Flugzeug... | 3. Im {der|m} Klassenzimmer...
These roles represent the primary authority in their respective environments.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsNo, it is neutral. However, claiming it for yourself ('Ich habe das Sagen!') can sound arrogant depending on your tone.
Usually no. It is for people or groups (like 'the government'). You wouldn't say a computer 'hat das Sagen', unless you are being metaphorical.
'Entscheiden' is the action of making a choice. 'Das Sagen haben' is the status of being the person who is allowed to make those choices.
It's better to say 'Ich habe bei diesem Projekt das Sagen' or 'In diesem Projekt habe ich das Sagen'.
Related Phrases
die {die|f} Fäden in der {die|f} Hand halten
similarTo be the puppet master / pull the strings.
den {der|m} Ton angeben
similarTo set the tone / lead the way.
das {das|n} Wort führen
similarTo be the spokesperson / lead the discussion.
nichts zu melden haben
contrastTo have nothing to report / no say at all.
