Meaning
To arrange a meeting or social engagement.
Cultural Background
In Germany, 'sich verabreden' often happens weeks in advance. Spontaneous visits are rare in many regions. In Vienna, a 'Verabredung' might take place in a {der|m} Kaffehaus, which is the traditional social hub. Swiss German speakers might use 'abmache' instead of 'verabreden' in casual speech.
The 'Busy' Shortcut
If someone asks you to do something and you can't, just say 'Ich bin schon verabredet.' It's the perfect polite excuse.
Reflexive Trap
Never say 'Ich verabrede Max.' It sounds like you are 'arranging Max' like furniture. Always use 'mich mit Max'.
Meaning
To arrange a meeting or social engagement.
The 'Busy' Shortcut
If someone asks you to do something and you can't, just say 'Ich bin schon verabredet.' It's the perfect polite excuse.
Reflexive Trap
Never say 'Ich verabrede Max.' It sounds like you are 'arranging Max' like furniture. Always use 'mich mit Max'.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct reflexive pronoun.
Wir verabreden ____ mit unseren Freunden.
The subject is 'wir', so the reflexive pronoun must be 'uns'.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'I have plans'?
'Ich bin verabredet' is the standard way to say you have an existing plan.
Match the German to the English.
1. sich verabreden, 2. die Verabredung, 3. verabredet sein
These are the three main forms of the concept.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Hast du heute Zeit? B: Nein, ich ____ mich schon mit Anna ____.
This uses the Perfekt tense: 'Ich habe mich verabredet'.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesWir verabreden ____ mit unseren Freunden.
The subject is 'wir', so the reflexive pronoun must be 'uns'.
How do you say 'I have plans'?
'Ich bin verabredet' is the standard way to say you have an existing plan.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the three main forms of the concept.
A: Hast du heute Zeit? B: Nein, ich ____ mich schon mit Anna ____.
This uses the Perfekt tense: 'Ich habe mich verabredet'.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsYou can, but 'einen Termin haben' is much more common for professional services.
No, it can be with friends, family, or colleagues. For a romantic date, Germans often use the English word 'Date'.
'Sich verabreden' is the act of planning (calling/texting). 'Sich treffen' is the act of physically being together.
Related Phrases
einen Termin vereinbaren
similarto arrange an appointment
etwas ausmachen
synonymto fix/arrange something
sich treffen
builds onto meet
