Handling sensitive workplace criticism | Learn German in English

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Use Handling sensitive workplace criticism to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Mir ist aufgefallen, dass du während des Gesprächs frustriert gewirkt hast.

meer ist OWF-guh-fah-len, dass doo VAY-rent des guh-SHPRAYKHS froo-STREET guh-VIRKT hahst. I noticed you seemed frustrated during the review.

Das war ich, obwohl ich versucht habe, die Frustration nicht überhandnehmen zu lassen.

dahs vahr ikh, ob-VOHL ikh fer-ZOOKT HAH-buh, dee froo-straht-see-OHN nikht UE-ber-HAHNT-nay-men tsoo LAH-sen. I was, although I tried not to let it dominate.

Die Anmerkungen waren direkt, aber sie bezogen sich auf die Arbeit.

dee AHN-mehr-koong-en VAH-ren dee-REKT, AH-ber zee beh-TSOH-gen zikh owf dee AR-bite. The comments were direct, but they were aimed at the work.

Das verstehe ich jetzt, aber der Zeitpunkt hat mich überrascht.

dahs fer-SHTAY-uh ikh yetst, AH-ber dayr TSITE-punkt haht mikh UE-ber-RASHT. I understand that now, but the timing caught me off guard.

Wir können dir früher Bescheid geben, wenn wir mit sensibler Rückmeldung rechnen.

veer KUR-nen deer FRUE-er beh-SHYT GAY-ben, ven veer mit zen-ZEE-blər RUEK-mel-doong REKH-nen. We can give you more notice when we expect sensitive feedback.

Das würde mir helfen, in dem Moment überlegter zu reagieren.

dahs VUER-duh meer HEL-fen, in daym moh-MENT UE-ber-LAYK-ter tsoo ray-ah-GEER-en. That would help me respond more thoughtfully in the moment.

Deine Analyse war wertvoll, auch an den Stellen, an denen Überarbeitungen nötig waren.

DYE-nuh ah-nah-LUE-zuh vahr VAYRT-foll, owkh ahn dayn SHTEL-len, ahn DAY-nen UE-ber-AR-bite-oong-en NUER-tikh VAH-ren. Your analysis was valuable, even where revisions were needed.

Ich weiß diese Unterscheidung zu schätzen, weil sie verändert, wie ich Kritik auffasse.

ikh VICE DEE-zuh OON-ter-SHY-doong tsoo SHET-sen, vile zee fer-EN-dairt, vee ikh kree-TEEK OWF-fah-suh. I appreciate that distinction, because it changes how I interpret criticism.

Word by Word

Mir In “Mir ist aufgefallen”, “Mir” means “to me” and identifies the person who notices something. This dative form is commonly used with experiences or observations that occur to someone, as in “Mir ist aufgefallen, dass …”.

ist In “Mir ist aufgefallen”, “ist” helps express that something has come to the speaker’s attention. It belongs to this complete noticing construction rather than meaning “is” by itself here. A reusable pattern is “Mir ist aufgefallen, dass …”.

aufgefallen In “Mir ist aufgefallen”, “aufgefallen” expresses that the speaker noticed something. Together with “Mir ist”, it presents an observation that became noticeable to the speaker. The pattern “Mir ist aufgefallen, dass …” can introduce a noticed fact.

dass “Dass” introduces the content of the observation: “dass du während des Gesprächs frustriert gewirkt hast”. It starts a subordinate clause, where the remaining verb forms come at the end. Use “dass” to connect an observation with what was observed.

du “Du” means “you” for the person being addressed directly in this workplace conversation. It is the subject of “du … gewirkt hast”. This form is used for one person in an informal direct address.

während In “während des Gesprächs”, “während” means “during” and locates the frustration in time. It introduces the event or period during which something happens. A reusable pattern is “während des Gesprächs” for “during the conversation”.

des In “während des Gesprächs”, “des” is the article that links “Gesprächs” to “während”. Together, “des Gesprächs” identifies the conversation during which the observation was made. This form appears in the time expression “während des Gesprächs”.

Gesprächs “Gesprächs” means “conversation” or “discussion” in “während des Gesprächs”. Its form connects the conversation to the time expression introduced by “während”. The complete phrase “während des Gesprächs” is useful for describing something happening during a discussion.

frustriert “Frustriert” describes the person’s emotional state in “du … frustriert gewirkt hast”. It means “frustrated” here and describes how the person appeared during the conversation. It can be used after “wirken” to describe how someone seems.

gewirkt In “frustriert gewirkt hast”, “gewirkt” contributes the meaning “seemed” or “appeared”. It combines with “frustriert” to say that the person appeared frustrated, not that the speaker makes a definite claim about their inner state. A reusable pattern is “[description] gewirkt haben” for how someone seemed.

hast In “frustriert gewirkt hast”, “hast” is the auxiliary form that completes the past expression about how “du” appeared. It works with “gewirkt” and does not mean “have” independently in this sentence. The pattern “du hast … gewirkt” describes how someone seemed.

Das In “Das war ich”, “Das” refers back to being frustrated rather than naming a separate object. It means roughly “that” in the reply. This form is useful when referring back to a previous statement or situation.

war In “Das war ich”, “war” states that the speaker was indeed in the condition just mentioned. It links “ich” with the previous description of being frustrated. This past form is commonly used to confirm a previous statement about someone’s state.

ich “Ich” means “I” and identifies the speaker in “Das war ich”. It is also the person who tried to prevent the frustration from taking over in the following clause. Use “ich” when speaking about yourself.

obwohl “Obwohl” introduces a concession: the speaker was frustrated, although they tried to control it. It connects “Das war ich” with “obwohl ich versucht habe …”. A reusable pattern is “obwohl ich …” when acknowledging a fact despite another action or circumstance.

versucht In “ich versucht habe”, “versucht” means “tried” and presents an attempt to keep the frustration from taking over. It works with “habe” to form the past expression. The pattern “ich habe versucht, …” introduces an attempted action.

habe In “ich versucht habe”, “habe” helps express the speaker’s completed attempt. It combines with “versucht” and is placed at the end because the phrase is inside the subordinate clause introduced by “obwohl”. A reusable pattern is “obwohl ich versucht habe, …”.

die In “die Frustration”, “die” is the article accompanying “Frustration”. It identifies the frustration as the specific feeling the speaker tried to control. This form is used directly before the noun in the phrase “die Frustration”.

Frustration “Frustration” names the feeling that the speaker tried not to let take over. In “die Frustration nicht überhandnehmen zu lassen”, it is the thing whose intensity is being controlled. It can be used with “die” when referring to a specific frustration already under discussion.

nicht “Nicht” negates the attempt in “die Frustration nicht überhandnehmen zu lassen”. It shows that the speaker tried to prevent the frustration from taking over. Place it before the part of the expression being negated, as in “nicht überhandnehmen zu lassen”.

überhandnehmen In “die Frustration nicht überhandnehmen zu lassen”, “überhandnehmen” means “to get out of hand” or “to take over”. The expression describes an emotion becoming too dominant, while “lassen” frames it as something the speaker tried to prevent. A reusable pattern is “etwas nicht überhandnehmen lassen” for keeping something from getting out of control.

zu In “überhandnehmen zu lassen”, “zu” marks the infinitive construction attached to “lassen”. It helps connect the action of letting or allowing with the event described by “überhandnehmen”. The complete pattern is “etwas nicht überhandnehmen zu lassen”.

lassen In “überhandnehmen zu lassen”, “lassen” means “let” or “allow”, but the full expression means allowing the frustration to get out of hand. Here it describes control over whether that situation occurs. A reusable pattern is “etwas geschehen lassen” for allowing something to happen.

Anmerkungen “Anmerkungen” means “comments” or “remarks” in “Die Anmerkungen waren direkt”. It refers to the feedback made during the review. The plural form is useful when discussing several comments together.

waren In “Die Anmerkungen waren direkt”, “waren” says that the comments had the quality described by “direkt”. It agrees with the plural subject “Die Anmerkungen”. Use this form when describing several things in the past.

direkt “Direkt” describes the comments as straightforward or direct in “Die Anmerkungen waren direkt”. It characterizes how the feedback was expressed, not what the feedback was about. It can be used after “waren” to describe the style of comments.

aber “Aber” contrasts the directness of the comments with their focus on the work: “aber sie bezogen sich auf die Arbeit”. It means “but” and joins two related statements. Use it to acknowledge one point while adding a contrasting point.

sie In “aber sie bezogen sich auf die Arbeit”, “sie” refers back to “Die Anmerkungen”. It means “they” and is the subject of the expression about what the comments concerned. This form can refer to plural things already mentioned.

bezogen In “sie bezogen sich auf die Arbeit”, “bezogen” contributes the meaning “referred” or “were directed”. With “sich auf”, it explains what the comments concerned. A reusable pattern is “sich auf etwas beziehen” for referring to or concerning something.

sich In “bezogen sich auf die Arbeit”, “sich” is part of the reflexive expression “sich auf … beziehen”. It helps form the meaning “refer to” or “concern”. Keep it with “bezogen” and “auf” in the reusable pattern “sich auf etwas beziehen”.

auf In “bezogen sich auf die Arbeit”, “auf” is the preposition required by the expression about what something refers to. Together with “bezogen sich”, it connects the comments to “die Arbeit”. The pattern is “sich auf etwas beziehen”.

Arbeit “Arbeit” means “work” in “die Arbeit”. It is the subject matter to which the comments referred. The phrase “sich auf die Arbeit beziehen” is useful when explaining that feedback concerns the work rather than the person.

verstehe In “Das verstehe ich jetzt”, “verstehe” means “understand” and shows that the speaker now grasps the point. The object “Das” refers to the distinction that the comments were aimed at the work. A reusable pattern is “Das verstehe ich jetzt” when acknowledging new understanding.

jetzt “Jetzt” means “now” in “Das verstehe ich jetzt”. It marks a change in understanding between the earlier reaction and the present moment. It is commonly used to show that something has become clear.

der In “der Zeitpunkt”, “der” is the article accompanying the noun “Zeitpunkt”. Together they identify the particular timing that surprised the speaker. This form appears directly before the noun in “der Zeitpunkt”.

Zeitpunkt “Zeitpunkt” means “point in time” or “timing” in “der Zeitpunkt hat mich überrascht”. It identifies when the feedback was given as the unexpected factor. A reusable pattern is “Der Zeitpunkt war …” when discussing whether timing was suitable.

hat In “hat mich überrascht”, “hat” helps express the completed effect of the timing on the speaker. It combines with “überrascht” and takes “mich” as the affected person. The pattern “etwas hat mich überrascht” means that something surprised me.

mich In “hat mich überrascht”, “mich” means “me” and identifies the person affected by the surprising timing. It is the person who experienced the surprise. A reusable pattern is “Das hat mich überrascht” for saying that something surprised you.

überrascht In “hat mich überrascht”, “überrascht” means “surprised” and describes the effect of the timing on the speaker. It combines with “hat” to express a completed reaction. The pattern “etwas hat mich überrascht” can describe an unexpected event or decision.

Wir “Wir” means “we” and identifies the people offering to change how they give notice. It is the subject of “Wir können dir früher Bescheid geben”. Use it when referring to yourself together with other people.

können In “Wir können dir früher Bescheid geben”, “können” expresses ability or possibility: the speakers are able to give earlier notice. It is followed by the infinitive expression “Bescheid geben”. A reusable pattern is “Wir können dir … geben” for offering a possible action.

dir In “Wir können dir früher Bescheid geben”, “dir” means “to you” and identifies the person who will receive the notice. It is used with “Bescheid geben” to show the recipient. The pattern “jemandem Bescheid geben” means letting someone know.

früher “Früher” means “earlier” in “dir früher Bescheid geben”. It compares the proposed notice with the timing used previously. It can be placed before an action to specify that it should happen earlier.

Bescheid geben “Bescheid geben” is the complete expression for informing someone or letting someone know. In “dir früher Bescheid geben”, “Bescheid” names the notice or information and “geben” expresses giving it to the recipient “dir”. A reusable pattern is “jemandem Bescheid geben, wenn …”.

wenn In “wenn wir mit sensibler Rückmeldung rechnen”, “wenn” introduces the situation or time at which the speakers expect sensitive feedback. It connects that condition with the offer to give earlier notice. A reusable pattern is “Bescheid geben, wenn …” for notifying someone when something is expected.

mit In “mit sensibler Rückmeldung rechnen”, “mit” is part of the expression for expecting or reckoning with something. It links “rechnen” to the expected feedback. The reusable pattern is “mit etwas rechnen”.

sensibler “Sensibler” describes the feedback as sensitive in “mit sensibler Rückmeldung rechnen”. Its form accompanies “Rückmeldung” inside the prepositional phrase introduced by “mit”. It can be used before a noun when describing feedback or another matter that requires careful handling.

Rückmeldung “Rückmeldung” means “feedback” in “mit sensibler Rückmeldung rechnen”. It refers to the comments or evaluation that may be difficult to receive. A reusable pattern is “Rückmeldung geben” or “mit Rückmeldung rechnen” when discussing feedback.

rechnen In “mit sensibler Rückmeldung rechnen”, “rechnen” contributes the meaning “expect” or “reckon with”. The preposition “mit” is essential to this meaning, so the complete expression means expecting something. A reusable pattern is “mit etwas rechnen”.

würde In “Das würde mir helfen”, “würde” presents the help as a possible or hypothetical result of receiving earlier notice. It makes the statement less direct and links the condition with its expected benefit. The pattern “Das würde mir helfen, …” expresses what would be helpful.

helfen In “Das würde mir helfen, in dem Moment überlegter zu reagieren”, “helfen” means “help” and introduces the action that would become easier. The person helped is marked by “mir”. A reusable pattern is “Das würde mir helfen, … zu …”.

in In “in dem Moment”, “in” places the reaction within a particular moment. It combines with “dem Moment” to mean “at that moment” or “in that moment”. This phrase is useful for describing an immediate response to an event.

dem In “in dem Moment”, “dem” is the article accompanying “Moment” after “in”. Together, they identify the particular moment when the speaker would respond. The complete phrase is “in dem Moment”.

Moment “Moment” means “moment” in “in dem Moment”. It refers to the immediate point when the sensitive feedback is received. The phrase “in dem Moment” can describe what someone does during an immediate reaction.

überlegter “Überlegter” means “more thoughtfully” in “überlegter zu reagieren”. It describes a more considered way of responding after receiving earlier notice. It can be used before “zu reagieren” to explain how someone would respond.

reagieren In “überlegter zu reagieren”, “reagieren” means “respond” or “react”. It names the action that earlier notice would help the speaker perform more thoughtfully. A reusable pattern is “helfen, … zu reagieren” for saying that something helps someone respond in a certain way.

Deine “Deine” means “your” in “Deine Analyse”. It identifies the analysis as belonging to the person being addressed. This possessive form appears directly before the noun it specifies.

Analyse “Analyse” means “analysis” in “Deine Analyse war wertvoll”. It refers to the work that received feedback and was considered valuable despite needed revisions. A reusable pattern is “Deine Analyse war …” when evaluating someone’s analysis.

wertvoll “Wertvoll” describes the analysis as valuable in “Deine Analyse war wertvoll”. It acknowledges the quality or usefulness of the work before mentioning that revisions were needed. It can be used after “war” to evaluate work positively.

auch In “auch an den Stellen, an denen Überarbeitungen nötig waren”, “auch” means “even” and broadens the positive evaluation to include the parts needing revision. It emphasizes that the value applied in those places as well. A reusable pattern is “auch an den Stellen, an denen …”.

an In “an den Stellen”, “an” introduces the specific points or aspects where revisions were needed. It connects “Stellen” with the following relative clause. The phrase “an den Stellen, an denen …” is useful for identifying particular aspects of a text or piece of work.

den In “an den Stellen”, “den” is the article accompanying the plural noun “Stellen”. Together they identify the points or aspects under discussion. This form appears in the phrase “an den Stellen, an denen …”.

Stellen “Stellen” means “points”, “places”, or “sections” in “an den Stellen, an denen Überarbeitungen nötig waren”. Here it refers to parts of the analysis rather than physical locations. The phrase can identify particular sections where something was needed.

denen In “an den Stellen, an denen Überarbeitungen nötig waren”, “denen” refers back to “Stellen” and introduces information about those points. It has the meaning “where” or “at which” in this context. The reusable pattern is “an den Stellen, an denen …”.

Überarbeitungen “Überarbeitungen” means “revisions” in “Überarbeitungen nötig waren”. It refers to changes or further editing needed in particular sections of the analysis. The plural form is used because more than one revision or revision process is being discussed.

nötig “Nötig” means “necessary” in “Überarbeitungen nötig waren”. It describes the revisions as required in the relevant sections. A reusable pattern is “etwas ist nötig” when stating that something is necessary.

weiß In “Ich weiß diese Unterscheidung zu schätzen”, “weiß” is part of the expression for appreciating or valuing something. The full expression, rather than “weiß” alone, conveys the speaker’s appreciation. A reusable pattern is “etwas zu schätzen wissen” for saying that someone appreciates something.

diese In “diese Unterscheidung”, “diese” points to the specific distinction just made between the value of the analysis and the need for revisions. It means “this” in the speaker’s reference to that point. It is placed directly before “Unterscheidung”.

Unterscheidung “Unterscheidung” means “distinction” in “diese Unterscheidung”. It refers to separating the value of the analysis from the fact that some revisions were necessary. A reusable pattern is “eine Unterscheidung zwischen … und …” when identifying two separate aspects.

schätzen In “zu schätzen wissen”, “schätzen” contributes the meaning “appreciate” or “value”. Together with “weiß” and “zu”, the expression means that the speaker appreciates the distinction. A reusable pattern is “Ich weiß das zu schätzen” for expressing appreciation.

weil “Weil” introduces the reason for appreciating the distinction: “weil sie verändert, wie ich Kritik auffasse”. It connects the appreciation with its explanation. A reusable pattern is “Ich schätze das, weil …” when giving a reason.

verändert In “weil sie verändert, wie ich Kritik auffasse”, “verändert” means “changes”. The subject “sie” refers to the distinction, which changes the speaker’s way of interpreting criticism. It can be used with “wie” to explain how something changes a process or reaction.

wie In “wie ich Kritik auffasse”, “wie” introduces the way in which the speaker interprets criticism. It connects the verb “verändert” with the embedded explanation of the new interpretation. A reusable pattern is “verändern, wie jemand etwas …”.

Kritik “Kritik” means “criticism” in “wie ich Kritik auffasse”. It refers to the workplace feedback discussed throughout the conversation. A reusable pattern is “Kritik auffassen” for describing how someone interprets criticism.

auffasse In “wie ich Kritik auffasse”, “auffasse” means “interpret” or “understand”. It describes the speaker’s way of making sense of criticism, which has changed because of the distinction. A reusable pattern is “wie ich etwas auffasse” for explaining how someone interprets something.

Grammar Points

etwas zu schätzen wissen

Ich weiß Ihre Rückmeldung zu schätzen.

ikh VICE EE-ruh RUEK-mel-doong tsoo SHET-sen.

I appreciate your feedback.

This fixed expression uses wissen with a zu-infinitive to express appreciation.

sich auf etwas beziehen

Die Anmerkung bezieht sich auf die Analyse.

dee AHN-mer-koong beh-TSOHT zikh owf dee ah-nah-LUE-zuh.

The comment refers to the analysis.

The reflexive verb sich beziehen requires auf and commonly takes an accusative object.

German Vocabulary

Anmerkung noun

AHN-mehr-koong comment; remark Anmerkungen

auffallen verb

OWF-fah-len to notice aufgefallen

Mir ist aufgefallen

Bescheid geben phrase

beh-SHYT GAY-ben to let someone know; to give notice

direkt adj

dee-REKT direct; straightforward

Frustration noun

froo-straht-see-OHN frustration

frustriert adj

froo-STREET frustrated

frustriert gewirkt

Gespräch noun

guh-SHPRAYKH conversation; discussion Gesprächs

sich beziehen auf phrase

zikh beh-TSOH-en owf to refer to; to concern bezogen sich auf

sie bezogen sich auf die Arbeit

überhandnehmen verb

UE-ber-HAHNT-nay-men to get out of hand

die Frustration nicht überhandnehmen zu lassen

überraschen verb

UE-ber-RASH-en to surprise überrascht

wirken verb

VIR-ken to seem; to appear gewirkt

Zeitpunkt noun

TSITE-punkt point in time; timing

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

comment; remark

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Anmerkungen

frustration

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Frustration

conversation; discussion

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Gesprächs

direct; straightforward

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direkt