Meaning
To be a subject that is being debated or discussed.
Cultural Background
In German business culture, 'Sachlichkeit' (objectivity) is paramount. Using 'zur Debatte stehen' helps maintain a professional distance from the topic, focusing on facts rather than personal opinions. Austrians might use 'zur Diskussion stehen' slightly more often in semi-formal contexts, but 'zur Debatte stehen' remains the gold standard for official parliamentary or legal discourse. Swiss German speakers use this phrase in 'Schriftdeutsch' (Standard German) contexts, especially in their unique system of direct democracy where many topics 'stehen zur Debatte' for the whole population. In German universities, a 'Debatte' is a rigorous intellectual exercise. If your thesis 'steht zur Debatte', be prepared for very direct and challenging questions.
Use it to deflect
In a meeting, if someone asks a difficult question you aren't ready for, say: 'Das steht heute nicht zur Debatte.' It's a polite way to say 'I'm not talking about that now.'
Gender Alert
Always use 'zur' (feminine). Using 'zum' is a common mistake that immediately marks you as a beginner.
Meaning
To be a subject that is being debated or discussed.
Use it to deflect
In a meeting, if someone asks a difficult question you aren't ready for, say: 'Das steht heute nicht zur Debatte.' It's a polite way to say 'I'm not talking about that now.'
Gender Alert
Always use 'zur' (feminine). Using 'zum' is a common mistake that immediately marks you as a beginner.
Directness
Germans use this phrase to be direct. It's not considered rude; it's considered efficient and clear.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to complete the formal phrase.
Die Zukunft der {die|f} Firma ______ ______ Debatte.
The fixed collocation is 'zur Debatte stehen'.
Which sentence is the most appropriate for a formal business meeting?
You want to say that the budget is being discussed today.
'Zur Debatte stehen' is the standard formal way to introduce an agenda item.
Complete the dialogue with the correct form of the phrase.
A: Können wir über die {die|f} Urlaubsplanung sprechen? B: Nein, das ______ heute nicht ______ ______.
The negation 'nicht' is placed before 'zur Debatte'.
Match the sentence to the correct context.
1. 'Ihre {die|f} Beförderung steht zur Debatte.' 2. 'Was essen wir heute?'
'Zur Debatte stehen' is too formal for deciding on a meal.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesDie Zukunft der {die|f} Firma ______ ______ Debatte.
The fixed collocation is 'zur Debatte stehen'.
You want to say that the budget is being discussed today.
'Zur Debatte stehen' is the standard formal way to introduce an agenda item.
A: Können wir über die {die|f} Urlaubsplanung sprechen? B: Nein, das ______ heute nicht ______ ______.
The negation 'nicht' is placed before 'zur Debatte'.
1. 'Ihre {die|f} Beförderung steht zur Debatte.' 2. 'Was essen wir heute?'
'Zur Debatte stehen' is too formal for deciding on a meal.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsMostly, yes. However, 'zur Debatte stehen' sounds more formal and often implies that the topic is an official item on an agenda or a serious point of contention.
It's grammatically correct but sounds very stiff or ironic. Better to use 'besprechen' or 'reden über' for casual topics.
'Stehen' is the state (it is being debated). 'Stellen' is the action (you are putting it up for debate).
It's a contraction of 'zu' + 'der' (dative feminine article for 'die Debatte').
Rarely. Even if there are multiple topics, we usually say 'Diese {die|f} Themen stehen zur Debatte' (singular noun, plural verb).
Yes: 'Das stand gestern zur Debatte.' (That was up for debate yesterday.)
Yes, very common in professional emails to define the scope of a meeting.
No, it just means the topic is open for discussion. It could be a very friendly debate!
'Zur Diskussion stehen' is the best synonym at the B1 level.
No, that sounds like a literal translation of 'It's up for debate for me'. Better: 'Das ist für mich noch nicht entschieden.'
Related Phrases
zur Diskussion stehen
synonymTo be up for discussion.
etwas zur Debatte stellen
builds onTo put something up for debate.
außer Debatte stehen
contrastTo be beyond debate / not up for discussion.
zur Disposition stehen
similarTo be available or at risk of being discarded.
