Phrase in 30 Seconds
A versatile way to say 'Agreed' or 'I'm okay with that' in almost any German social or professional situation.
- Means: 'Agreed' or 'I accept' (expresses consent to a proposal)
- Used in: Business deals, social plans, or accepting a compromise
- Don't confuse: With 'Ich verstehe' (I understand the logic, but don't necessarily agree)
Explanation at your level:
Meaning
Used to express agreement or consent.
Cultural Background
In Germany, 'Einverstanden' is often the final word in a negotiation. Once said, it is socially expected that the terms will not be changed. It reflects the value of 'Direktheit' (directness). Swiss German speakers might use 'Einverstanden' in formal High German contexts, but in dialect, they might say 'Abgmacht' or 'Guet so'. However, the High German 'Einverstanden' remains the standard for official consensus. Austrians might use 'Einverstanden' slightly less frequently in casual speech than North Germans, opting for 'Passt scho' (It fits already), but 'Einverstanden' is still the polite, standard form for agreement. In German Slack or WhatsApp groups, 'Einverstanden' is often abbreviated to 'evtl.' (though that usually means 'eventually/perhaps') or more commonly replaced by the '✅' emoji or 'i.O.' (in Ordnung).
The 'Power' Response
Use 'Einverstanden' in a job interview when discussing salary or start dates to sound decisive and professional.
Avoid 'Ich bin einverstanden mit du'
Always remember that 'mit' takes the dative. It's 'mit DIR' or 'mit IHNEN'.
The 'Power' Response
Use 'Einverstanden' in a job interview when discussing salary or start dates to sound decisive and professional.
Avoid 'Ich bin einverstanden mit du'
Always remember that 'mit' takes the dative. It's 'mit DIR' or 'mit IHNEN'.
The 'Damit' Shortcut
Instead of repeating the whole proposal, just say 'Ich bin damit einverstanden'. It makes you sound much more fluent.
German Directness
Don't say 'Einverstanden' just to be polite if you don't actually agree. Germans prefer a clear 'Nein' over a fake 'Einverstanden'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing word to agree with the proposal.
Sollen wir morgen ins Museum gehen? - ______, das ist eine gute Idee!
'Einverstanden' is the correct response to agree to a suggestion.
Which sentence is grammatically correct?
How do you say 'I agree with the price'?
You need 'sein' (bin) + 'mit' + Dative ({dem|m} Preis).
Complete the dialogue between two colleagues.
A: Können wir das Meeting auf 14 Uhr verschieben? B: Ja, ich bin ______ ______.
'Damit' is used to refer back to the previously mentioned idea (shifting the meeting).
Match the response to the situation.
Situation: A boss asks an employee if they can work on Saturday.
'Einverstanden' signals professional consent to the request.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Agreement vs. Understanding
Where to use it
Shopping
- • Price
- • Quantity
- • Delivery
Work
- • Meetings
- • Deadlines
- • Tasks
Friends
- • Movies
- • Dinner
- • Travel
Practice Bank
5 exercisesSollen wir morgen ins Museum gehen? - ______, das ist eine gute Idee!
'Einverstanden' is the correct response to agree to a suggestion.
How do you say 'I agree with the price'?
You need 'sein' (bin) + 'mit' + Dative ({dem|m} Preis).
A: Können wir das Meeting auf 14 Uhr verschieben? B: Ja, ich bin ______ ______.
'Damit' is used to refer back to the previously mentioned idea (shifting the meeting).
Situation: A boss asks an employee if they can work on Saturday.
'Einverstanden' signals professional consent to the request.
🎉 Score: /5
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend. It's always safe.
Yes, in fact, saying just 'Einverstanden!' is very common and natural in conversation.
'Abgemacht' is more like 'It's a deal' and is more informal. 'Einverstanden' is more like 'I agree/consent'.
Simply say 'Ich bin nicht einverstanden' or 'Nicht einverstanden'.
No. For 'I understand', use 'Ich verstehe' or 'Alles klar'.
Yes, but use 'mit': 'Ich bin mit dir einverstanden' (I agree with you/your point).
Yes, {das|n} Einverständnis. For example: 'mit {dem|n} Einverständnis {der|f} Eltern' (with the parents' consent).
Yes, it is standard High German and understood/used in all German-speaking countries.
Yes, it's very common in business emails: 'Ich bin mit {Ihrem|m} Vorschlag einverstanden.'
Since it's an adjective-like state, you use 'war': 'Ich war einverstanden.' (I was in agreement).
It's better to say 'Völlig einverstanden' or 'Ganz einverstanden' for 'Totally agreed'.
'Okay' is more casual. 'Einverstanden' is more precise and signals actual consent.
Related Phrases
Abgemacht
synonymIt's a deal / settled
In Ordnung
similarIn order / Okay
Zustimmen
builds onTo agree / To consent
Alles klar
similarAll clear / Okay
D'accord
similarAgreed (loanword from French)
Nicht einverstanden
contrastNot agreed / I disagree
Where to Use It
Buying at a flea market
Verkäufer: Fünf Euro für {die|f} Vase?
Käufer: Einverstanden. Hier sind fünf Euro.
Making dinner plans
Freund A: Sollen wir Pizza bestellen?
Freund B: Einverstanden. Ich habe Hunger!
In a business meeting
Chef: Wir brauchen {einen|m} neuen Plan.
Mitarbeiter: Ich bin mit {Ihrem|m} Vorschlag einverstanden.
Parent and child
Mutter: Zuerst Hausaufgaben, dann Videospiele.
Kind: Einverstanden, Mama.
Booking a hotel
Rezeptionist: Das Zimmer kostet 100 Euro pro Nacht.
Gast: Einverstanden, ich nehme es.
Resolving a conflict
Person A: Entschuldigung. Können wir uns in {der|f} Mitte treffen?
Person B: Einverstanden. Schwamm drüber.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Think of 'Ein' (One) + 'Verstanden' (Understood). When you agree, you and the other person have 'One Understanding'.
Visual Association
Imagine two puzzle pieces clicking together perfectly. One piece is the proposal, the other is your 'Einverstanden'. They fit to make one solid shape.
Rhyme
Bist du mit dem Plan im Reinen? Einverstanden, muss ich meinen!
Story
A baker offers a traveler a loaf of bread for one silver coin. The traveler, knowing it's a fair price, looks the baker in the eye and says 'Einverstanden'. They shake hands, and the deal is done. The 'One Understanding' is reached.
In Other Languages
In English, we say 'Agreed'. In French, 'D'accord'. Both imply a coming together of minds or hearts, much like the German 'One Understanding'.
Word Web
Challenge
Next time you agree with a friend's suggestion (even in English), say 'Einverstanden' in your head and visualize a green checkmark.
Review this word 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week after learning. Focus on the 'mit + Dative' construction in the second week.
Pronunciation
Sounds like the English word 'eye' followed by an 'n'.
The 'v' is pronounced like an 'f'. The 'er' is a vocalized 'r', sounding like a short 'ah'.
The 'st' is pronounced like 'sht' as in 'ship'.
A very short, neutral 'e' sound.
Formality Spectrum
Ich bin mit {der|f} vorgeschlagenen Planung einverstanden. (General agreement)
Ich bin mit {dem|m} Plan einverstanden. (General agreement)
Einverstanden! (General agreement)
Geht klar! (General agreement)
Derived from the Middle High German 'einverstān', which meant to reach a mutual understanding or to harmonize with someone.
Fun Fact
Even though 'verstehen' means 'to understand', you can be 'einverstanden' (in agreement) with something you don't fully 'verstehen' (understand), though it's not recommended!
Cultural Notes
In Germany, 'Einverstanden' is often the final word in a negotiation. Once said, it is socially expected that the terms will not be changed. It reflects the value of 'Direktheit' (directness).
“In a business meeting: 'Einverstanden, wir unterschreiben {den|m} Vertrag.'”
Swiss German speakers might use 'Einverstanden' in formal High German contexts, but in dialect, they might say 'Abgmacht' or 'Guet so'. However, the High German 'Einverstanden' remains the standard for official consensus.
“During a communal vote: 'Sind alle einverstanden?'”
Austrians might use 'Einverstanden' slightly less frequently in casual speech than North Germans, opting for 'Passt scho' (It fits already), but 'Einverstanden' is still the polite, standard form for agreement.
“Accepting a coffee invitation: 'Einverstanden, gerne!'”
In German Slack or WhatsApp groups, 'Einverstanden' is often abbreviated to 'evtl.' (though that usually means 'eventually/perhaps') or more commonly replaced by the '✅' emoji or 'i.O.' (in Ordnung).
“A quick reply to a plan: 'i.O. (in Ordnung)' or 'Einverstanden!'”
Conversation Starters
Sollen wir am Wochenende wandern gehen?
Ich schlage vor, dass wir die Kosten teilen. Was sagst du?
Bist du mit {den|pl} neuen Regeln im Büro einverstanden?
Wären Sie mit einer Verschiebung des Projekts einverstanden?
Common Mistakes
Ich bin einverstanden mit du.
Ich bin mit dir einverstanden.
L1 Interference
Ich verstehe einverstanden.
Ich bin einverstanden.
L1 Interference
Einverstanden?
Bist du einverstanden?
L1 Interference
Ich habe einverstanden.
Ich bin einverstanden.
L1 Interference
In Other Languages
De acuerdo
Spanish uses 'estar' (to be), German uses 'sein' (to be).
D'accord
French often uses it as a filler word, whereas German uses it more deliberately.
D'accordo
Italian often adds 'Sono' (I am) more frequently than German drops 'Ich bin'.
分かりました (Wakarimashita)
Japanese focuses on the act of understanding, while German focuses on the state of being in agreement.
موافق (Muwafiq)
Arabic uses an active participle (the one who agrees), German uses a past participle (the state of having reached understanding).
同意 (Tóngyì)
Chinese 'Tóngyì' is often used more formally; 'Hǎo de' is used for casual agreement.
알겠습니다 (Algesseoyo)
Korean has many levels of politeness that change the word entirely, whereas 'Einverstanden' is quite stable.
De acordo
Portuguese speakers might use 'Combinado' (combined/arranged) more frequently in casual settings.
Spotted in the Real World
“Einverstanden. Wir machen es so.”
Jonas is making a plan to fix the timeline and agrees to a difficult condition.
“Einverstanden, sagte ich, obwohl ich keine Ahnung hatte.”
The protagonist agrees to a crazy road trip idea from his friend Tschick.
“Einverstanden. Aber nur für kurze Zeit.”
Alex agrees to a compromise to keep the illusion of East Germany alive for his mother.
“Die Koalitionspartner sind mit {dem|m} Kompromiss einverstanden.”
Reporting on a political agreement between parties in the German government.
“Einverstanden, Herr Kommissar.”
Used frequently by subordinates when receiving orders or confirming a plan of action.
Easily Confused
Learners think 'I understand' always means 'I agree'.
Use 'Ich verstehe' for facts/logic, and 'Einverstanden' for plans/consent.
Both are short responses used in social settings.
'Gleichfalls' means 'Likewise/Same to you' (used for wishes), 'Einverstanden' is for agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions (12)
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend. It's always safe.
usage contextsYes, in fact, saying just 'Einverstanden!' is very common and natural in conversation.
grammar mechanics'Abgemacht' is more like 'It's a deal' and is more informal. 'Einverstanden' is more like 'I agree/consent'.
comparisonsSimply say 'Ich bin nicht einverstanden' or 'Nicht einverstanden'.
basic understandingNo. For 'I understand', use 'Ich verstehe' or 'Alles klar'.
common mistakesYes, but use 'mit': 'Ich bin mit dir einverstanden' (I agree with you/your point).
grammar mechanicsYes, {das|n} Einverständnis. For example: 'mit {dem|n} Einverständnis {der|f} Eltern' (with the parents' consent).
grammar mechanicsYes, it is standard High German and understood/used in all German-speaking countries.
cultural usageYes, it's very common in business emails: 'Ich bin mit {Ihrem|m} Vorschlag einverstanden.'
practical tipsSince it's an adjective-like state, you use 'war': 'Ich war einverstanden.' (I was in agreement).
grammar mechanicsIt's better to say 'Völlig einverstanden' or 'Ganz einverstanden' for 'Totally agreed'.
usage contexts'Okay' is more casual. 'Einverstanden' is more precise and signals actual consent.
comparisons
