New here? This is lesson 215 of a free 240-lesson German course.
Give feedback in German
Priya and Jonas stand at the loft whiteboard with two screens side by side.
He wants the recycling-app copy in plain words, not a long speech.
She says what already works, what still needs a fix, and what they should change.
By the end, you will open with a fair overall take, name the weak spot, pick a stronger draft, and thank someone for honest feedback.
Jonas uses du from day one at work, so keep the thanks informal.
By the end of this lesson
Say what already works, what still needs a fix, and what to change.
- Insgesamt geht das schon in die richtige Richtung.Overall this is already heading the right way.
- An der Stelle würde ich noch nachbessern.I'd still tighten this part up a bit.
- Der erste Teil sitzt, der zweite noch nicht.The first part works, the second doesn't yet.
- Wäre es klarer, wenn wir das kürzer fassen?Would it be clearer if we made this shorter?
- Von den Entwürfen überzeugt mich der zweite am meisten.Of the drafts, the second one convinces me most.
- Danke, dass du so offen Rückmeldung gibst.Thanks for giving such honest feedback.
Scene — the loft whiteboard
Tuesday at the co-working loft by the canal. Two drafts sit on the whiteboard: a long one and a shorter one.
Jonas has a coffee mug. Priya has her backpack on the chair. He wants the recycling-app copy in plain words.
Learn — what works and what to change
Six lines cover a fair overall take, a part to tighten, and what already works.
You will also pick a stronger draft, suggest a shorter rewrite, and thank someone for honest feedback.
Insgesamt geht das schon in die richtige Richtung.
Overall this is already heading the right way.
When to use it: Use this to open when the work is already on the right track.
In a main clause the verb stays second, so geht follows Insgesamt.
Say it: Richtung uses the soft ch, as in ich, not ach.
An der Stelle würde ich noch nachbessern.
I'd still tighten this part up a bit.
When to use it: Use this when one part still needs a small fix.
In a main clause the verb stays second, so würde comes after the place phrase.
Der erste Teil sitzt, der zweite noch nicht.
The first part works, the second doesn't yet.
When to use it: Use this to split what already works from what does not.
Say the working half first, then name the half that is not ready yet.
Wäre es klarer, wenn wir das kürzer fassen?
Would it be clearer if we made this shorter?
When to use it: Ask this when a shorter version would make the point clearer.
After wenn the verb comes last, so fassen sits at the end of the clause.
Von den Entwürfen überzeugt mich der zweite am meisten.
Of the drafts, the second one convinces me most.
When to use it: Use this to pick one draft as the strongest of the set.
After von you use the dative, so it is den Entwürfen.
Danke, dass du so offen Rückmeldung gibst.
Thanks for giving such honest feedback.
When to use it: Say this after a colleague has given you honest feedback.
After dass the verb comes last, so gibst sits at the end.
Story — two drafts
Watch Priya and Jonas compare two drafts at the loft whiteboard. He wants plain words.
The highlighted phrases are the lines you just learned. Turn on Show English if you need it.
- The loft is quiet except for the canal. Two drafts sit on the whiteboard, a long one and a short one.
JonasWie geht's?How are you?
PriyaGut, danke.I'm good, thanks.- Jonas taps the longer draft with his mug.
- JonasSchau mal, links der lange Entwurf, rechts der kurze.Have a look: the long draft on the left, the short one on the right.
- PriyaInsgesamt geht das schon in die richtige Richtung.Overall this is already heading the right way.
- JonasDer linke Text erklärt zu viel auf einmal.The left-hand text explains too much at once.
- PriyaDer erste Teil sitzt, der zweite noch nicht.The first part works, the second doesn't yet.
- JonasGenau, die Vorteile sind klar, die Schritte nicht.Right, the benefits are clear, the steps are not.
- PriyaAn der Stelle würde ich noch nachbessern.I'd still tighten this part up a bit.
- JonasMeinst du die Schritte im zweiten Entwurf?Do you mean the steps in the second draft?
- PriyaWäre es klarer, wenn wir das kürzer fassen?Would it be clearer if we made this shorter?
- JonasJa, kürzer. Welcher Entwurf überzeugt dich?Yes, shorter. Which draft convinces you?
- PriyaVon den Entwürfen überzeugt mich der zweite am meisten.Of the drafts, the second one convinces me most.
- He almost smiles and sets the mug down.
- JonasGut. Dann nehmen wir den und streichen drei Sätze.Good. Then we'll take that one and cut three sentences.
- JonasDanke, dass du so offen Rückmeldung gibst.Thanks for giving such honest feedback.
- PriyaGern. Dann ziehe ich die Schritte nach vorne.Gladly. Then I'll move the steps up.
- JonasPerfekt. Das reicht für heute.Perfect. That's enough for today.
Practice — a fair take, then a fix
Eleven quick exercises wait here. You will listen, pick, match, fill a gap, and build a line.
They stay short, so the round still moves.
0 of 11 done
What did you hear?
What did you hear?
Match the pairs
German
Insgesamt geht das schon in die richtige Richtung.Drop the English hereDer erste Teil sitzt, der zweite noch nicht.Drop the English hereVon den Entwürfen überzeugt mich der zweite am meisten.Drop the English hereEnglish
What do you say?
What do you say?
You want to name one part that still needs a small fix.
Fill the gap
Fill the gap
The first part works, the second doesn't yet.
Der erste Teil ____, der zweite noch nicht.
What does it mean?
What does it mean?
Wäre es klarer, wenn wir das kürzer fassen?
Swap the word
Swap the word
You have two drafts. Say the second one convinces you most.
Von den Entwürfen überzeugt mich der ____ am meisten.
Pick the reply
Jonas says:
Pick the reply
Der linke Text ist ehrlich gesagt zu lang.
The left-hand text is honestly too long.
And you reply with:
Build the line
Build the line
Thanks for giving such honest feedback.
, .
Tap the words in order.
Which one doesn’t belong?
Which one doesn’t belong?
True or false?
True or false?
You say this when someone asks how you are.
Find the mistake
Find the mistake
Say it — say the feedback
Now you're Priya at the loft whiteboard. When it's your turn, tap the microphone and speak the line.
Tap ▶ first if you want to hear the line. Your recording stays on your device.
- JonasEhrlich gesagt ist der linke Text zu lang.Honestly, the left-hand text is too long.
- Priya (you)Thank him for giving such honest feedback.
Thank him for giving such honest feedback.
Danke, dass du so offen Rückmeldung gibst.
Thanks for giving such honest feedback.
0 of 6 said
Recap — what you can say now
| German | English | Play |
|---|---|---|
| Insgesamt geht das schon in die richtige Richtung. | Overall this is already heading the right way. | |
| An der Stelle würde ich noch nachbessern. | I'd still tighten this part up a bit. | |
| Der erste Teil sitzt, der zweite noch nicht. | The first part works, the second doesn't yet. | |
| Wäre es klarer, wenn wir das kürzer fassen? | Would it be clearer if we made this shorter? | |
| Von den Entwürfen überzeugt mich der zweite am meisten. | Of the drafts, the second one convinces me most. | |
| Danke, dass du so offen Rückmeldung gibst. | Thanks for giving such honest feedback. |
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