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B1 noun #2,000 most common 11 min read

das Meeting

At the A1 level, your goal is to understand basic, everyday vocabulary. Even though you are just starting to learn German, you will find 'das Meeting' very easy to remember because it looks and sounds exactly like the English word. In German, we use this word to talk about a work appointment where people talk about business. The most important thing to learn right now is the gender: it is 'das' Meeting (neuter). You also need to know how to say you have a meeting. You can simply say 'Ich habe ein Meeting' (I have a meeting). This is a very useful phrase if you work in Germany, Austria, or Switzerland. You should also learn the plural, which is very simple: just add an 's' to make 'die Meetings'. At this stage, do not worry about complicated grammar; just focus on recognizing the word when your colleagues use it and being able to say that you have one. For example, if someone asks you to drink coffee, you can say 'Nein, ich habe ein Meeting.' This simple sentence is perfectly correct and very natural in a German office. Remember to always write it with a capital 'M' because all nouns in German are capitalized. Practice saying 'das Meeting' and 'die Meetings' until it feels natural.
At the A2 level, you are starting to build more complex sentences and talk about your daily routine. Since work is a big part of daily life, 'das Meeting' becomes a very active part of your vocabulary. You should now learn how to use prepositions with this word. If you want to say 'I am in a meeting', you must say 'Ich bin im Meeting'. The word 'im' is short for 'in dem'. This is because 'in' is a two-way preposition, and here it takes the dative case to show location. If you want to say 'I am going to the meeting', you say 'Ich gehe ins Meeting' ('ins' is short for 'in das', using the accusative case for movement). You should also learn basic verbs associated with meetings, such as 'anfangen' (to start) and 'enden' (to end). For example: 'Das Meeting fängt um 10 Uhr an' (The meeting starts at 10 o'clock). You can also start using adjectives to describe the meeting, like 'ein langes Meeting' (a long meeting) or 'ein wichtiges Meeting' (an important meeting). Being able to schedule, accept, or decline a meeting using simple German sentences is a key skill at this level. You will often see this word in short emails or chat messages at work, so recognizing its context is crucial for everyday office communication.
At the B1 level, you are expected to handle most situations that arise while working in a German-speaking environment. 'Das Meeting' is now a core part of your professional vocabulary, and you need to use it with greater precision. You should be comfortable using more advanced verbs like 'einberufen' (to convene/call), 'verschieben' (to postpone), and 'absagen' (to cancel). For instance, 'Wir müssen das Meeting auf morgen verschieben' (We have to postpone the meeting to tomorrow). You also need to understand the difference between 'das Meeting' and its German synonyms, particularly 'die Besprechung'. While they mean the same thing, 'Meeting' is often used in modern, international companies, whereas 'Besprechung' might be used in more traditional or formal settings. At this level, you should be able to actively participate in a meeting. This means understanding phrases like 'Wer leitet das Meeting?' (Who is leading the meeting?) and 'an einem Meeting teilnehmen' (to participate in a meeting). Note that 'teilnehmen' requires the preposition 'an' plus the dative case: 'Ich nehme an dem Meeting teil'. You are also starting to express opinions and agree or disagree during these meetings. Your vocabulary should expand to include related terms like 'die Agenda' (the agenda), 'das Protokoll' (the minutes), and 'der Teilnehmer' (the participant). Mastery at B1 means you can confidently navigate the logistics and basic interactions of a German business meeting.
At the B2 level, your fluency allows you to navigate complex professional environments with ease. Your use of 'das Meeting' should reflect a deep understanding of German corporate culture and nuanced communication. You are no longer just scheduling meetings; you are leading them, debating within them, and summarizing their outcomes. You should seamlessly use compound nouns like 'Meetingraum', 'Meetingkultur', or 'Online-Meeting'. At this stage, you must master the subtle differences in register. You know that while 'das Meeting' is perfectly fine for a marketing agency, you might choose 'die Sitzung' when speaking with a government official or 'die Konferenz' for a large-scale formal gathering. You are comfortable with complex grammatical structures, such as passive voice: 'Das Meeting wurde vom Abteilungsleiter abgesagt' (The meeting was canceled by the department head). You can also use relative clauses to describe meetings: 'Das Meeting, das wir gestern hatten, war sehr produktiv' (The meeting we had yesterday was very productive). Furthermore, you understand the Denglish phenomenon in German business and can use other English loanwords naturally alongside 'Meeting', such as 'Brainstorming', 'Kick-off', and 'Feedback'. Your goal at B2 is to sound professional, polite, and precise, ensuring that your contributions during a meeting are clearly understood and respected by native speakers.
At the C1 level, you possess an advanced, near-native command of the language. Your interaction with the word 'das Meeting' goes beyond simple usage; you understand its sociological and cultural implications within the DACH region. You can critically discuss 'Meetingkultur' (meeting culture) in Germany, comparing the efficiency of German meetings with those in other countries. You are adept at using highly formal and sophisticated vocabulary to describe meeting dynamics, such as 'die Tagesordnungspunkte abarbeiten' (to work through the agenda items) or 'einen Konsens finden' (to find a consensus). You can effortlessly switch between 'das Meeting', 'die Besprechung', 'die Zusammenkunft', and 'die Sitzung' depending on the exact rhetorical effect you wish to achieve. In written German, such as in formal reports or corporate communications, you know exactly when to employ traditional German terminology to project authority and when to use 'Meeting' to project modernity and agility. You are also comfortable with idiomatic expressions and colloquialisms used during meetings, such as 'den Faden verlieren' (to lose one's train of thought) or 'auf den Punkt kommen' (to get to the point). At this level, any grammatical errors regarding the gender or plural of 'Meeting' are completely eliminated, and your focus is entirely on the strategic and persuasive use of language within a professional setting.
At the C2 level, you have achieved mastery of the German language, equivalent to a highly educated native speaker. Your use of 'das Meeting' is flawless and deeply integrated into a vast, sophisticated vocabulary. You can analyze and critique corporate communication styles, discussing the inflation of 'Meetings' in modern work environments and the phenomenon of 'Zoom-Fatigue' using complex, academic, or highly nuanced German. You can write comprehensive essays or deliver keynote speeches on organizational behavior, using terms like 'Entscheidungsfindungsprozesse innerhalb von Management-Meetings' (decision-making processes within management meetings). You understand the historical linguistic shift that brought English loanwords into German business terminology and can debate the merits and drawbacks of 'Anglizismen' in the German language. Your vocabulary includes highly specialized terms related to corporate governance, such as 'Aufsichtsratssitzung' (supervisory board meeting) or 'Gesellschafterversammlung' (shareholders' meeting), and you know exactly how these differ legally and practically from a standard 'Meeting'. You can employ irony, sarcasm, and humor when discussing endless or unproductive meetings, using the language with complete freedom and creativity. At C2, 'das Meeting' is just one small tool in your extensive linguistic repertoire, used with absolute precision and cultural awareness.
Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

das Meeting in 30 Seconds

  • Neuter noun: das Meeting.
  • Plural adds an 's': die Meetings.
  • Used strictly for professional business gatherings.
  • English loanword heavily used in modern German corporate culture.

The German word das Meeting is a direct loanword from English, heavily integrated into modern German corporate culture. It refers to a professional gathering, assembly, or conference where individuals discuss business matters, make decisions, or brainstorm ideas. While traditional German words like die Besprechung or die Sitzung exist and are still widely used, das Meeting has become the standard term in startups, international corporations, and modern office environments across the DACH region (Germany, Austria, Switzerland).

Grammatical Gender
It is a neuter noun: das Meeting. This is typical for many English loanwords ending in -ing.

Wir haben heute ein wichtiges das Meeting mit dem neuen Kunden.

Understanding the nuance of this word requires looking at its cultural adoption. In the late 20th and early 21st centuries, as global business practices became more interconnected, German professionals began adopting English terminology, often referred to as 'Denglish'. The word Meeting carries a slightly more modern, dynamic, or international connotation compared to the somewhat bureaucratic-sounding Sitzung.

Plural Form
The plural is formed by adding an 's': die Meetings. Do not use traditional German plural endings like -en or -e.

Ich habe heute drei Meetings hintereinander.

When discussing what a meeting entails, it usually involves an agenda (die Agenda), participants (die Teilnehmer), and a specific goal (das Ziel). Meetings can be held in person (in Präsenz) or virtually (virtuell/online). The widespread shift to remote work has only cemented the use of this word, as software platforms often use 'Meeting' in their localized German interfaces.

Das Meeting findet im Konferenzraum statt.

Synonym Comparison
Unlike 'das Treffen', which can be casual (meeting friends), 'das Meeting' is strictly professional.

It is also important to note how the word integrates into German sentence structure. Because it is a neuter noun, it takes neuter articles and adjective endings. For example, 'ein langes Meeting' (a long meeting) or 'das gestrige Meeting' (yesterday's meeting). The integration is seamless, demonstrating how flexible the German language is when adopting foreign vocabulary.

Wer leitet das Meeting heute Nachmittag?

In summary, 'das Meeting' is an indispensable word for anyone working in a German-speaking environment. It bridges the gap between local business practices and global corporate standards, serving as a linguistic testament to the globalization of the modern workplace. Mastering its usage, along with its associated verbs and prepositions, is a key step in achieving professional fluency in German.

Bitte bereiten Sie die Unterlagen für das Meeting vor.

Using das Meeting correctly in German involves pairing it with the right verbs, prepositions, and adjectives. Because it describes an event, there are specific collocations that native speakers use regularly. The most basic verb is haben (to have): 'Ich habe ein Meeting.' However, professional German offers much more precise vocabulary for organizing and conducting these gatherings.

Organizing a Meeting
To schedule or call a meeting, use ein Meeting ansetzen or einberufen.

Der Chef hat ein spontanes Meeting einberufen.

When a meeting needs to be moved to a different time, the verb verschieben is used. If it is canceled entirely, you use absagen. These verbs are separable or inseparable according to standard German grammar rules, and they frequently appear in business emails and calendar invites.

Wir müssen das Meeting leider absagen.

Participating
To express participation, use an einem Meeting teilnehmen (takes the dative case).

Prepositions are crucial. When you are currently in a meeting, you say 'Ich bin im Meeting' (in + dem = im). This is a very common phrase to use when you cannot answer the phone. If you are going to a meeting, you say 'Ich gehe ins Meeting' (in + das = ins). Understanding these two-way prepositions (Wechselpräpositionen) is essential for accurate usage.

Ich kann jetzt nicht sprechen, ich bin im Meeting.

Leading a meeting requires the verb leiten. The person who leads is the 'Meetingleiter' (though often just called the Moderator or Organisator). During the meeting, you might discuss an agenda (die Agenda durchgehen) or take minutes (das Protokoll schreiben). The vocabulary surrounding 'das Meeting' forms a complete semantic field essential for office communication.

Describing Meetings
Common adjectives include produktiv (productive), langweilig (boring), and ergebnisorientiert (results-oriented).

Das war ein sehr produktives Meeting.

In written German, especially in formal invitations, you might see compound nouns like Meetingraum (meeting room) or Meeting-Link (meeting link for virtual calls). These compounds follow the standard German rule of combining nouns to create new, specific meanings. The hyphen is often used when combining an English loanword with a German word to improve readability, though writing them as one solid word is also grammatically acceptable.

Bitte schick mir den Link für das Online-Meeting.

The term das Meeting is ubiquitous in specific environments across the German-speaking world. If you step into an office building in Berlin, Frankfurt, Zurich, or Vienna, you are guaranteed to hear this word multiple times a day. It is the cornerstone vocabulary of the modern corporate sector, startups, marketing agencies, and IT companies.

Corporate Offices
In large multinational companies, 'Meeting' is preferred over German equivalents to maintain a global, unified corporate language.

Das nächste Meeting mit dem Vorstand ist um 14 Uhr.

Startups, particularly in tech hubs like Berlin or Munich, rely heavily on Denglish. Here, you won't just hear 'das Meeting', but also variations like 'das Stand-up Meeting', 'das Kick-off Meeting', or 'das All-Hands Meeting'. These specific types of meetings retain their full English names but are treated grammatically as German neuter nouns.

Wir haben jeden Morgen ein kurzes Stand-up Meeting.

Remote Work
The rise of home office (das Homeoffice) has made virtual meetings the norm, often referred to as Zoom-Meetings or Teams-Meetings.

You will also encounter this word extensively in written communication. Business emails, Slack messages, Microsoft Teams chats, and calendar invitations all utilize 'das Meeting'. A typical calendar block might simply be titled 'Team Meeting' or 'Projekt-Meeting'. The integration into digital tools has solidified its place in the daily vocabulary of millions of workers.

Ich schicke dir eine Einladung für unser Meeting.

Interestingly, while it is dominant in the private sector, the public sector (der öffentliche Dienst) in Germany tends to be more conservative with language. In government offices, schools, or traditional institutions, you are more likely to hear 'die Dienstbesprechung' or 'die Konferenz'. However, even these sectors are slowly adopting 'das Meeting' as younger generations enter the workforce.

Freelance and Agency Work
Freelancers often have 'Kunden-Meetings' (client meetings) to discuss project scopes and deliverables.

Mein Meeting mit dem Kunden dauerte zwei Stunden.

In everyday casual conversation outside of work, you generally do not use 'Meeting'. If you are meeting friends at a café, you use 'das Treffen' or the verb 'sich treffen'. Using 'Meeting' for a casual get-together sounds overly formal, humorous, or ironically corporate. Therefore, understanding the boundary of where to use this word is just as important as knowing what it means.

Nach dem letzten Meeting gehe ich direkt ins Wochenende.

Even though das Meeting is an English word, English native speakers often make mistakes when using it in German because they forget to apply German grammatical rules to it. The most frequent errors involve gender, capitalization, pluralization, and prepositional usage. Let's break down these common pitfalls to help you sound more like a native speaker.

Mistake 1: Incorrect Gender
Many learners guess the gender incorrectly, saying 'der Meeting' or 'die Meeting'. It is strictly das Meeting.

Falsch: Der Meeting beginnt gleich.
Richtig: Das Meeting beginnt gleich.

Because it is a neuter noun, all accompanying articles and adjectives must reflect this. You must say 'ein wichtiges Meeting' (a important meeting), not 'eine wichtige Meeting'. This is a classic trap for beginners who haven't memorized the gender of loanwords. A good rule of thumb is that most English gerunds or -ing words adopted into German are neuter (das Training, das Timing, das Meeting).

Wir hatten ein sehr anstrengendes Meeting.

Mistake 2: Lowercase Writing
In English, 'meeting' is lowercase unless it starts a sentence. In German, ALL nouns are capitalized: Meeting.

Another major area of confusion is prepositions. When you want to say 'I am in a meeting', the English brain wants to translate 'in a' directly. But in German, 'in' is a two-way preposition. Since being in a meeting is a state of location (answering 'wo?'), it requires the dative case. 'In dem Meeting' contracts to 'im Meeting'. Saying 'Ich bin in ein Meeting' is grammatically incorrect and sounds very foreign.

Falsch: Ich bin in ein Meeting.
Richtig: Ich bin im Meeting.

Mistake 3: Using it for Casual Hangouts
Do not use 'Meeting' for meeting friends. Use 'Treffen' instead.

Using 'Meeting' in the wrong context is a semantic mistake. If you tell a German friend, 'Wir haben heute Abend ein Meeting im Restaurant', they will think you are having a formal business dinner. For social gatherings, always use 'das Treffen' or 'die Verabredung'. Reserve 'das Meeting' strictly for professional, organizational, or academic contexts where an agenda or business topic is involved.

Falsch (für Freunde): Unser Meeting im Kino war toll.
Richtig: Unser Treffen im Kino war toll. (Aber im Büro: Das Meeting war toll.)

Finally, watch out for the plural. The plural is simply 'die Meetings'. Do not try to Germanize the plural by adding -en (die Meetingen) or an umlaut. Keep it simple and stick to the English plural 's', which is the standard rule for most English loanwords in German.

Alle Meetings für heute sind abgesagt.

While das Meeting is incredibly popular, the German language possesses a rich vocabulary for gatherings, assemblies, and discussions. Knowing the synonyms and their subtle nuances will elevate your German from a basic B1 level to a more advanced, professional proficiency. The most direct and traditional translation is die Besprechung.

die Besprechung
A formal discussion or meeting. It is the exact German equivalent of 'meeting' and is widely used in all professional contexts.

Die Besprechung findet im Raum 102 statt.

Die Besprechung is slightly more formal and traditional than das Meeting. You will often hear it in government agencies, traditional medium-sized enterprises (der Mittelstand), and formal written correspondence. Another highly common word is die Sitzung. This translates closer to 'session' or 'board meeting'. It implies a seated, formal gathering, often with a strict agenda and a chairperson.

Der Stadtrat hält heute eine wichtige Sitzung ab.

die Konferenz
A conference. This is usually a larger, longer, and more formal event than a standard meeting, often involving multiple presentations.

If you are talking about a large-scale event with many attendees, perhaps spanning several days, you would use die Konferenz or der Kongress. However, in the context of video calls, the term die Videokonferenz is frequently used as a direct synonym for an online meeting. For more casual or general gatherings, the word das Treffen is your best choice.

Wir organisieren ein Treffen aller Abteilungsleiter.

Another useful term is die Zusammenkunft. This is a somewhat elevated or literary word for a gathering or assembly. You might read it in news articles or historical texts, but you would rarely use it to describe a daily 10 AM marketing sync. Understanding these distinctions allows you to choose the perfect word for the specific tone and context of your communication.

das Gespräch
A conversation or talk. Sometimes a 'Meeting' is just a one-on-one 'Gespräch' (e.g., Mitarbeitergespräch - employee review).

Ich habe nachher ein kurzes Gespräch mit dem Chef.

In conclusion, while 'das Meeting' is your go-to word for modern office life, sprinkling in words like 'Besprechung', 'Sitzung', and 'Treffen' will make your German sound much more natural, versatile, and sophisticated. It shows that you understand not just the loanwords, but the native roots of the language.

Lass uns das in der nächsten Besprechung klären.

How Formal Is It?

Formal

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Informal

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Slang

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Difficulty Rating

Grammar to Know

Examples by Level

1

Ich habe ein Meeting.

I have a meeting.

'ein' is the neuter indefinite article in the accusative case.

2

Das Meeting ist heute.

The meeting is today.

'Das' is the definite neuter article.

3

Wo ist das Meeting?

Where is the meeting?

Question word 'Wo' (where) used with the verb 'sein'.

4

Das Meeting ist um 10 Uhr.

The meeting is at 10 o'clock.

Use 'um' for specific times.

5

Wir haben viele Meetings.

We have many meetings.

'Meetings' is the plural form.

6

Ist das Meeting gut?

Is the meeting good?

Simple yes/no question structure.

7

Mein Meeting beginnt jetzt.

My meeting starts now.

'Mein' is the neuter possessive pronoun.

8

Tschüss, ich muss ins Meeting.

Bye, I have to go to the meeting.

'ins' is a contraction of 'in das'.

1

Ich bin gerade im Meeting.

I am currently in a meeting.

'im' (in dem) is used for location (Dative).

2

Das Meeting dauert eine Stunde.

The meeting lasts one hour.

'dauert' is the verb for duration.

3

Wer kommt zum Meeting?

Who is coming to the meeting?

'zum' is a contraction of 'zu dem' (Dative).

4

Wir treffen uns im Meetingraum.

We are meeting in the meeting room.

Compound noun 'Meetingraum'.

5

Das Meeting war sehr interessant.

The meeting was very interesting.

Simple past (Präteritum) of 'sein'.

6

Können wir das Meeting verschieben?

Can we postpone the meeting?

Modal verb 'können' with infinitive 'verschieben' at the end.

7

Ich habe die Einladung für das Meeting bekommen.

I received the invitation for the meeting.

Perfect tense with 'bekommen'.

8

Das nächste Meeting ist am Freitag.

The next meeting is on Friday.

Use 'am' (an dem) for days of the week.

1

Der Chef hat das Meeting kurzfristig abgesagt.

The boss canceled the meeting at short notice.

Separable verb 'absagen' in the perfect tense.

2

Ich nehme heute Nachmittag an einem wichtigen Meeting teil.

I am participating in an important meeting this afternoon.

'teilnehmen an' requires the dative case ('einem').

3

Wir müssen die Agenda für das Meeting noch besprechen.

We still need to discuss the agenda for the meeting.

Modal verb structure with 'besprechen'.

4

Während des Meetings bitte die Handys stumm schalten.

During the meeting, please mute your cell phones.

'Während' is a preposition that takes the genitive case ('des Meetings').

5

Das Meeting findet virtuell über Teams statt.

The meeting takes place virtually via Teams.

Separable verb 'stattfinden'.

6

Wer schreibt heute das Protokoll im Meeting?

Who is writing the minutes in the meeting today?

Vocabulary specific to meetings: 'das Protokoll'.

7

Das Meeting hat länger gedauert als geplant.

The meeting lasted longer than planned.

Comparative 'länger als'.

8

Bitte bereiten Sie sich gut auf das Meeting vor.

Please prepare yourself well for the meeting.

Reflexive verb 'sich vorbereiten auf' + accusative.

1

Das wöchentliche Status-Meeting dient der Abstimmung im Team.

The weekly status meeting serves to coordinate the team.

Verb 'dienen' takes the dative ('der Abstimmung').

2

Aufgrund technischer Probleme musste das Meeting unterbrochen werden.

Due to technical problems, the meeting had to be interrupted.

Passive voice with modal verb in the past tense.

3

Es ist wichtig, dass wir in diesem Meeting zu einer Entscheidung kommen.

It is important that we come to a decision in this meeting.

Subordinate 'dass' clause with verb at the end.

4

Der Meetingleiter hat die Diskussion geschickt auf das Hauptthema zurückgeführt.

The meeting leader skillfully steered the discussion back to the main topic.

Complex sentence with separable verb 'zurückführen'.

5

Ich halte dieses Meeting für reine Zeitverschwendung.

I consider this meeting a pure waste of time.

Construction 'etwas für etwas halten' (to consider something as).

6

Wir sollten das Meeting straffen, um effizienter zu sein.

We should streamline the meeting to be more efficient.

'um... zu' infinitive clause for purpose.

7

Trotz intensiver Debatten im Meeting blieben viele Fragen offen.

Despite intense debates in the meeting, many questions remained open.

Preposition 'Trotz' takes the genitive case.

8

Lassen Sie uns die Ergebnisse des Meetings kurz zusammenfassen.

Let's briefly summarize the results of the meeting.

Imperative 'Lassen Sie uns' for suggestions.

1

Die ausufernde Meetingkultur in diesem Unternehmen bedarf einer dringenden Überarbeitung.

The excessive meeting culture in this company requires urgent revision.

Advanced vocabulary ('ausufernd', 'bedarf' + genitive).

2

Das Meeting eskalierte, als die Budgetkürzungen unangekündigt auf die Tagesordnung gesetzt wurden.

The meeting escalated when the budget cuts were put on the agenda unannounced.

Subordinate clause with 'als' for a past event.

3

Ziel des Kick-off-Meetings ist es, alle Stakeholder auf denselben Informationsstand zu bringen.

The goal of the kick-off meeting is to bring all stakeholders to the same level of information.

Infinitive clause acting as the subject complement.

4

Er glänzte im Meeting durch fundiertes Fachwissen und rhetorisches Geschick.

He shone in the meeting through profound expertise and rhetorical skill.

Preposition 'durch' to express means/cause.

5

Das Meeting wurde anberaumt, um die strategische Neuausrichtung zu erörtern.

The meeting was scheduled to discuss the strategic realignment.

Formal verb 'anberaumen' (to schedule) in passive voice.

6

Es obliegt dem Moderator, ausschweifende Monologe während des Meetings höflich zu unterbinden.

It is incumbent upon the moderator to politely stop rambling monologues during the meeting.

Formal verb 'obliegen' + dative; 'um... zu' infinitive.

7

Die Beschlüsse des gestrigen Meetings sind bindend und umgehend umzusetzen.

The resolutions of yesterday's meeting are binding and to be implemented immediately.

'sein... zu' + infinitive expresses necessity/obligation.

8

Wir müssen aufpassen, dass dieses Meeting nicht in eine endlose Grundsatzdiskussion abgleitet.

We must be careful that this meeting does not slide into an endless debate on principles.

Verb 'abgleiten in' + accusative.

1

Die inflationäre Zunahme von Meetings korreliert oftmals negativ mit der tatsächlichen Produktivität eines Teams.

The inflationary increase of meetings often correlates negatively with the actual productivity of a team.

Academic vocabulary and complex sentence structure.

2

In Anbetracht der fortgeschrittenen Zeit plädiere ich dafür, das Meeting an dieser Stelle zu vertagen.

In view of the late hour, I advocate adjourning the meeting at this point.

Preposition 'In Anbetracht' + genitive; 'plädieren für'.

3

Das Meeting entpuppte sich als bloße Makulatur, da die wesentlichen Entscheidungen bereits im Vorfeld auf dem Flur getroffen worden waren.

The meeting turned out to be a mere formality (waste of paper), as the essential decisions had already been made in the hallway beforehand.

Idiomatic expression 'sich entpuppen als'; Plusquamperfekt Passiv.

4

Es zeugt von schlechtem Führungsstil, Mitarbeiter in Meetings vor versammelter Mannschaft bloßzustellen.

It is indicative of poor leadership style to expose employees in front of the assembled team in meetings.

'zeugen von' + dative; infinitive clause with 'bloßstellen'.

5

Die diskursive Dynamik des Meetings wurde maßgeblich durch unausgesprochene hierarchische Spannungen geprägt.

The discursive dynamic of the meeting was significantly shaped by unspoken hierarchical tensions.

Highly formal/sociological vocabulary; passive voice.

6

Um der vielzitierten Zoom-Fatigue entgegenzuwirken, hat das Management asynchrone Kommunikation anstelle von Meetings verordnet.

To counteract the much-cited Zoom fatigue, management has mandated asynchronous communication instead of meetings.

'entgegenwirken' + dative; preposition 'anstelle' + genitive.

7

Die im Meeting protokollierten Synergieeffekte erwiesen sich bei näherer Betrachtung als reine Augenwischerei.

The synergy effects recorded in the meeting proved to be pure window dressing upon closer inspection.

Participle used as adjective ('protokollierten'); idiom 'Augenwischerei'.

8

Ein stringentes Zeitmanagement ist unabdingbar, um die ineffiziente Ausfransung von Meetings zu unterbinden.

Stringent time management is indispensable to prevent the inefficient fraying of meetings.

Advanced adjectives ('stringent', 'unabdingbar'); metaphorical noun 'Ausfransung'.

Common Collocations

ein Meeting haben
ein Meeting ansetzen
ein Meeting absagen
ein Meeting verschieben
im Meeting sein
ins Meeting gehen
ein Meeting leiten
an einem Meeting teilnehmen
ein produktives Meeting
ein virtuelles Meeting

Common Phrases

Ich bin im Meeting.

Das Meeting fällt aus.

Wer leitet das Meeting?

Wir verschieben das Meeting.

Das Meeting dauert eine Stunde.

Ich muss ins Meeting.

Das Meeting ist beendet.

Haben wir heute ein Meeting?

Das Meeting war sehr produktiv.

Bitte bereiten Sie das Meeting vor.

Often Confused With

das Meeting vs das Treffen (used for casual/private meetings)

das Meeting vs das Kennenlernen (getting to know someone)

das Meeting vs die Verabredung (a date or private appointment)

Idioms & Expressions

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Easily Confused

das Meeting vs

das Meeting vs

das Meeting vs

das Meeting vs

das Meeting vs

Sentence Patterns

How to Use It

context

Strictly professional.

nuances

Implies a structured discussion, not just a casual chat.

frequency

Extremely high in corporate environments.

Common Mistakes
  • Using the wrong gender (der/die Meeting instead of das Meeting).
  • Failing to capitalize the word in written German (meeting instead of Meeting).
  • Using 'in ein Meeting' instead of 'im Meeting' to express current location.
  • Using 'Meeting' to describe a casual get-together with friends.
  • Forming the plural incorrectly (die Meetingen instead of die Meetings).

Tips

Neuter Gender Rule

Remember that English loanwords ending in '-ing' are almost always neuter in German. Das Meeting, das Training, das Timing. This helps you guess the gender correctly.

Im vs. Ins

Master the difference between 'im Meeting' (location: I am in the meeting) and 'ins Meeting' (motion: I am going into the meeting). This is the most common mistake learners make.

Synonym Variety

Don't just use 'Meeting'. Mix in 'Besprechung' for formal contexts or 'Sitzung' for board meetings to sound more like an advanced speaker.

Capitalization is Key

Never write 'meeting' in lowercase in a German sentence. It is a noun, and German grammar dictates that all nouns start with a capital letter: Das Meeting.

Punctuality

German meetings start exactly on time. If a meeting is scheduled for 10:00, be there at 9:55. Being late to 'ein Meeting' is considered very unprofessional.

Verbs of Scheduling

Memorize the trio of meeting verbs: ansetzen (to schedule), verschieben (to postpone), and absagen (to cancel). You will use these constantly in emails.

Compound Nouns

You can combine 'Meeting' with German words. Use a hyphen for clarity: Online-Meeting, Meeting-Raum, Team-Meeting. This is standard Denglish practice.

Not for Friends

Never say 'Ich habe ein Meeting mit Anna' if Anna is your friend and you are getting coffee. Use 'Ich treffe mich mit Anna' or 'Ich habe eine Verabredung'.

Fast Speech Contractions

Native speakers speak fast. 'Ich bin im Meeting' often sounds like 'Ich bin immeeting'. Train your ear to catch the 'im' or 'ins' before the word.

The Agenda

German meetings are highly structured. Always expect an 'Agenda' (agenda) and stick to it. Small talk is brief; the focus is on the 'Tagesordnungspunkte' (agenda items).

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a MEAT-ING (eating meat) in a very formal German boardroom. The MEAT is on a silver platter in the middle of the table. 'Das' (the) MEAT-ING is very important.

Word Origin

English

Cultural Context

Professional/Corporate

Signals a modern, white-collar, or international work environment.

Universally used in DACH, though rural or traditional businesses might prefer 'Besprechung'.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Conversation Starters

"Wann ist unser nächstes Meeting?"

"Warst du heute schon im Meeting?"

"Wer hat das Meeting für morgen angesetzt?"

"Können wir das Meeting auf Freitag verschieben?"

"Was steht auf der Agenda für das Meeting?"

Journal Prompts

Beschreibe dein letztes Meeting auf der Arbeit. War es produktiv?

Magst du Online-Meetings oder Präsenz-Meetings lieber? Warum?

Wie viele Meetings hast du an einem normalen Arbeitstag?

Was macht ein gutes Meeting aus?

Schreibe eine E-Mail, um ein Meeting abzusagen.

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

Yes. All nouns in German are capitalized, regardless of whether they are native German words or loanwords from English. Therefore, you must always write 'das Meeting' with a capital 'M'. Writing it in lowercase is a grammatical error.

The gender is neuter, so the definite article is 'das'. This is a common rule for English loanwords ending in '-ing' (e.g., das Training, das Timing). Consequently, adjectives must take neuter endings, like 'ein gutes Meeting'.

You say 'Ich bin im Meeting'. The word 'im' is a contraction of 'in dem'. Because you are describing a location or state of being (answering the question 'where?'), you must use the dative case. Never say 'in ein Meeting' for this context.

You say 'Ich gehe ins Meeting'. The word 'ins' is a contraction of 'in das'. Because you are describing movement towards a destination (answering the question 'where to?'), you must use the accusative case.

No, that would sound very strange and overly formal, perhaps even humorous. For meeting friends, you should use the noun 'das Treffen' or the verb 'sich treffen'. 'Meeting' is strictly reserved for professional or organizational contexts.

The plural is 'die Meetings'. You simply add an 's' to the end. This is the standard way to form the plural for most English loanwords in German. Do not add traditional German endings like '-en' or '-e'.

They mean the same thing, but 'das Meeting' is an English loanword used heavily in modern, international, or startup environments. 'Die Besprechung' is the traditional German word and is slightly more formal, often used in government or traditional companies.

The most common verb is 'absagen'. You would say 'ein Meeting absagen'. For example: 'Ich muss das Meeting absagen' (I have to cancel the meeting). 'Absagen' is a separable verb.

The verb to use is 'verschieben'. You would say 'ein Meeting verschieben'. If you want to specify the new time, use the preposition 'auf'. For example: 'Wir verschieben das Meeting auf morgen' (We are postponing the meeting to tomorrow).

It means to call or convene a meeting. It is a slightly formal verb used when someone in authority, like a boss or manager, schedules a meeting for a group of people. For example: 'Der Chef hat ein Meeting einberufen'.

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