B1.5: Negotiations

Verhandlungen

Master essential German negotiation vocabulary like "Verhandeln" (to negotiate) and "Vorschlag" (proposal) in this B1 lesson, focusing on practical expressions used in business and everyday discussions.

Exercises

These exercises can be done together during conversation lessons or as homework.

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Negotiations in German: Lesson Overview

This B1-level lesson focuses on the language and expressions needed to conduct and understand negotiations in German. You will learn key vocabulary, useful phrases, and sentence structures to communicate effectively during discussions, bargaining, and reaching agreements.

Key Vocabulary and Expressions

  • verhandeln – to negotiate
  • ein Angebot machen – to make an offer
  • einen Kompromiss finden – to find a compromise
  • Zustimmung ausdrücken – to express agreement
  • Ablehnung äußern – to express refusal

Important Phrases

  • "Könnten wir den Preis noch einmal besprechen?" – Could we discuss the price again?
  • "Ich bin bereit, einen Kompromiss zu finden." – I am willing to find a compromise.
  • "Das Angebot ist für mich akzeptabel." – The offer is acceptable to me.
  • "Leider kann ich unter diesen Bedingungen nicht zustimmen." – Unfortunately, I cannot agree under these terms.

Grammar and Usage Highlights

The lesson also emphasizes the use of modal verbs like können, sollen, and wollen to express possibility, obligation, and intention, which are essential in negotiation contexts. It highlights polite forms and conditional constructions that soften requests and proposals.

Differences Between English and German Negotiation Language

While English and German negotiation phrases often share the same functions, German tends to use more formal structures and polite modal verbs to convey respect and professionalism. For example, the use of the subjunctive mood (Konjunktiv II) is common in German for polite requests or hypothetical statements, such as "Könnten wir..." (Could we...) which is a polite and indirect form often not present in everyday English equivalents.
Additionally, German negotiations often include specific key nouns like "Abmachung" (agreement) or "Vertrag" (contract), underlining the formal nature of discussions.

Useful Tip

In German, the word order in negotiation statements often places the verb at the end in subordinate clauses, such as: "Ich glaube, dass wir einen guten Preis finden können." This structure might differ from English but is important for natural speaking and writing.

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