Clarifying Dependencies at Work | Learn German in English

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Use Clarifying Dependencies at Work to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Die Diskussion wurde angespannt, sobald die Leute anfingen, die Prioritäten aller zu ordnen.

dee dee-koos-see-OHN VOOR-duh AHN-guh-SHPAHNT, zoh-BAHLT dee LOY-tuh AHN-fing-en, dee pree-oh-ree-TEH-ten AHL-ler tsoo ORD-nen. The discussion got tense once people started ranking everyone's priorities.

Es klang so, als hätten einige Teams das Gefühl, dass ihre Arbeit zurückgestellt wurde.

ess klahng zoh, ahls HET-ten EYE-nee-guh teems dahs guh-FYOOL, dahss EE-ruh AHR-bite tsoo-RYUK-guh-SHTELT VOOR-duh. It sounded like some teams felt their work was being pushed aside.

Das kann das Vertrauen beeinträchtigen, auch wenn es niemand so gemeint hat.

dahs kahn dahss fer-TROW-en beh-EYN-tray-hy-tig-en, owkh venn ess NEE-mahnt zoh guh-MINE-t haht. That can hurt trust, even if nobody meant it that way.

Vielleicht sollten wir vor dem nächsten Treffen Abhängigkeiten und Wichtigkeit voneinander trennen.

fee-LYKHT SHOL-ten veer fohr dehm NEKH-sten TREF-fen AHP-heng-ig-KY-ten oont VIKH-tig-KITE fohn-EYE-nahn-der TREN-nen. Maybe we should separate dependencies from importance before the next meeting.

Einige Aufgaben müssen zuerst erledigt werden.

EYE-nee-guh OWF-gah-ben MYOO-sen tsoo-AIR-st air-LAY-dikt VAIR-den. Some tasks need to happen first.

Aber dadurch sind sie nicht wertvoller.

AH-ber dah-DOORKH zint zee nikht VAIRT-fohl-er. But that does not make them more valuable.

Ich kann vor unserem nächsten Treffen eine Übersicht über die Abhängigkeiten erstellen.

ikh kahn fohr OON-zuh-rem NEKH-sten TREF-fen EYE-nuh YOO-ber-zikht YOO-ber dee AHP-heng-ig-KY-ten air-SHTEL-len. I can put together a dependency map before we meet again.

Damit sollte die Diskussion konkret bleiben, statt persönlich zu werden.

DAH-mit SHOL-tuh dee dee-koos-see-OHN kon-KRAYT BLY-ben, shtat PUR-zurn-likh tsoo VAIR-den. That should keep the discussion concrete instead of personal.

Dann können alle die Diskussion auf dieselben Informationen gründen und nicht nur auf ihren Frust.

dahn KUR-nen AHL-luh dee dee-koos-see-OHN owf DEE-zell-ben in-for-mah-TSYOH-nen GRYOO-nden oont nikht noor owf EE-ren froost. Then people can base the discussion on the same information, not just their frustrations.

Word by Word

Die Die means “the” in “Die Diskussion” and identifies the discussion being discussed. It is used before this noun in a phrase such as “Die Diskussion wurde ...”. In a workplace conversation, it can introduce a specific discussion already known to the speakers.

Diskussion Diskussion means “discussion” here, referring to the workplace conversation about priorities. It is used with “Die” in “Die Diskussion”. This word is useful when describing a meeting, debate, or exchange of views.

wurde Wurde means “became” in “wurde angespannt”, describing a change in the discussion. It is a form of werden used to say that something became a certain way. The pattern “wurde + adjective” describes a change of condition.

angespannt Angespannt means “tense” here and describes the atmosphere of the discussion. It follows “wurde” in “wurde angespannt”. You can use it when a meeting or conversation becomes uncomfortable or strained.

sobald Sobald means “as soon as” and introduces the point at which the discussion became tense. It connects “wurde angespannt” with the event that followed. It is useful for describing an immediate result after something happens.

Leute Leute means “people” in “die Leute”, referring to the participants in the discussion. It is commonly used for people as a group, especially in everyday speech. In this sentence, “die Leute” is the group performing the action.

anfingen Anfingen means “started” in “die Leute anfingen, ... zu ordnen”. It describes the beginning of the action of ranking the priorities. The pattern “anfangen, etwas zu tun” is useful when saying that someone started an activity.

Prioritäten Prioritäten means “priorities” here, referring to the items that people were ranking. It appears in “die Prioritäten aller zu ordnen”. At work, this word is commonly used for tasks or goals that need to be ordered by importance or sequence.

aller Aller means “everyone’s” in “die Prioritäten aller”, showing that the priorities belong to all the people involved. It follows “Prioritäten” to identify whose priorities are meant. This pattern is useful when referring to something belonging to everyone in a group.

zu Zu marks the infinitive in “zu ordnen”, meaning “to rank or arrange”. Together with “anfingen”, it forms the construction “anfingen, die Prioritäten aller zu ordnen”. This use is common after verbs that describe beginning an action.

ordnen Ordnen means “to rank or arrange” in “die Prioritäten aller zu ordnen”. Here it describes putting priorities into an order for comparison. It is useful when organizing tasks, information, or items systematically.

Es Es means “it” in “Es klang so”, where it refers to the impression created by the situation. It is the subject of the expression “Es klang so, als ...”. This pattern is useful when reporting how something appeared or sounded.

klang Klang means “sounded” in “Es klang so, als ...”, describing the impression the situation gave. It is used with “so” and “als” to introduce an interpretation. In a conversation, this form can help express an impression without stating it as certain fact.

so So means “so” in “Es klang so, als hätten ...”, linking the impression to the following explanation. Together with “als”, it forms the pattern “so, als ...”, meaning that something appeared as if a certain situation were true. This is useful when describing an impression rather than confirmed information.

als Als introduces the “as if” clause in “Es klang so, als hätten ...”. It connects the reported impression with the situation that seemed to be true. The pattern “Es klingt, als ...” is useful when giving a cautious interpretation.

hätten Hätten expresses “had” in the impression “als hätten einige Teams das Gefühl”. In this clause, it presents the teams’ feeling as part of what seemed to be the case. The pattern “als hätten ...” is useful for describing an apparent situation cautiously.

einige Einige means “some” in “einige Teams”, referring to an unspecified part of the teams. It limits the statement to a group rather than everyone. You can use it before a plural noun when the exact number or members are not specified.

Teams Teams means “teams” here, referring to groups whose work and feelings are being discussed. It appears after “einige” in “einige Teams”. This word is useful for talking about organized groups in a workplace.

das Das means “the” in “das Gefühl”, identifying the feeling being described. It forms the noun phrase “das Gefühl, dass ...”. This phrase is useful when reporting that someone has a particular impression or feeling.

Gefühl Gefühl means “feeling” in “das Gefühl, dass ihre Arbeit zurückgestellt wurde”. It refers to the teams’ sense that their work was being put aside. The pattern “das Gefühl haben, dass ...” is commonly used to report a perception.

dass Dass means “that” and introduces the statement explaining the feeling: “dass ihre Arbeit zurückgestellt wurde”. It connects “das Gefühl” with a complete clause. This conjunction is useful when stating the content of an opinion, feeling, or belief.

ihre Ihre means “their” in “ihre Arbeit”, referring to the work belonging to the teams. It links the work to the teams mentioned earlier. A possessive form like “ihre” is useful when identifying who something belongs to.

Arbeit Arbeit means “work” here, referring to the tasks or efforts of the teams. It appears in “ihre Arbeit zurückgestellt wurde”. In workplace discussions, this word commonly describes someone’s responsibilities or output.

zurückgestellt Zurückgestellt means “set aside” or “deferred” in “ihre Arbeit zurückgestellt wurde”. It describes work being given less immediate attention rather than necessarily being rejected. This form is useful when discussing postponed tasks or proposals.

kann Kann means “can” in “kann das Vertrauen beeinträchtigen”, expressing a possible effect. It introduces what the situation may cause. The pattern “kann + infinitive” is useful for describing possible consequences.

Vertrauen Vertrauen means “trust” in “das Vertrauen beeinträchtigen”. It refers to confidence between colleagues or teams. This noun is useful in workplace conversations about cooperation and relationships.

beeinträchtigen Beeinträchtigen means “harm” or “undermine” in “das Vertrauen beeinträchtigen”. It describes negatively affecting trust without necessarily destroying it completely. The pattern “etwas beeinträchtigen” is useful when naming what is being negatively affected.

auch Auch contributes the meaning “even” in “auch wenn niemand so gemeint hat”. It emphasizes that the possible harm remains despite the absence of bad intent. This use is common in the concessive pattern “auch wenn ...”.

wenn Wenn introduces the condition or concession in “auch wenn niemand so gemeint hat”. Here it means “if” in the sense of “even if”. The pattern “auch wenn + clause” is useful when acknowledging an exception or opposing circumstance.

niemand Niemand means “nobody” in “niemand so gemeint hat”, referring to no person involved. It is used to deny that anyone intended the situation in that way. This word is useful when clarifying that an action had no individual intentional source.

gemeint Gemeint means “meant” or “intended” in “es niemand so gemeint hat”. It refers to the intention behind the situation, especially whether anyone intended it to have that effect. The pattern “etwas so gemeint haben” is useful when clarifying intended meaning.

hat Hat completes the verb phrase “so gemeint hat”, meaning that nobody intended it that way. Together with “gemeint”, it reports the completed intention in the subordinate clause. This pattern is useful when discussing what someone intended.

Vielleicht Vielleicht means “maybe” and softens the proposal “Vielleicht sollten wir ...”. It presents the suggestion as an option rather than a firm instruction. This is useful when proposing a change diplomatically in a meeting.

sollten Sollten means “should” in “Vielleicht sollten wir ...”, expressing a recommendation for the group. Together with “wir”, it proposes an action before the next meeting. The pattern “Wir sollten + infinitive” is useful for making practical suggestions.

wir Wir means “we” in “sollten wir ...”, referring to the speakers and possibly their colleagues as a group. It identifies who is being asked to take the proposed action. This pronoun is useful when making a shared plan.

vor Vor means “before” in “vor dem nächsten Treffen”, placing the proposed action earlier than the next meeting. It is used here with a time expression. This pattern is useful for setting a deadline or preparation point.

dem Dem means “the” in “vor dem nächsten Treffen”, referring to the specific next meeting. It appears after the time expression “vor”. This form is commonly used in a phrase naming a particular event before which something happens.

nächsten Nächsten means “next” in “dem nächsten Treffen”, identifying the meeting that will follow. It specifies which meeting is meant. This word is useful when planning work in relation to an upcoming event.

Treffen Treffen means “meeting” in “dem nächsten Treffen”. It refers to the next occasion when the colleagues will meet. This noun is useful for discussing preparation, decisions, or follow-up before a meeting.

Abhängigkeiten Abhängigkeiten means “dependencies” here, referring to relationships in which one task needs another task first. It is one of the two things the speakers want to separate from importance. This word is useful when mapping task order or prerequisites at work.

und Und means “and” in “Abhängigkeiten und Wichtigkeit”, joining the two concepts being compared. It presents dependencies and importance as separate items. This conjunction is useful when listing related topics or alternatives for discussion.

Wichtigkeit Wichtigkeit means “importance” here, referring to how valuable or significant a task is. It is contrasted with dependencies in “Abhängigkeiten und Wichtigkeit voneinander trennen”. This noun is useful when evaluating priorities independently of task order.

voneinander Voneinander means “from each other” in “Abhängigkeiten und Wichtigkeit voneinander trennen”. It shows that the two concepts should be kept distinct from one another. This word is useful with verbs describing separation between two or more things.

trennen Trennen means “separate” in “Abhängigkeiten und Wichtigkeit voneinander trennen”. It describes treating task dependencies and importance as different questions. The pattern “etwas voneinander trennen” is useful when distinguishing related concepts.

Aufgaben Aufgaben means “tasks” in “Einige Aufgaben müssen zuerst erledigt werden”. It refers to pieces of work that may have to be completed in a particular order. This plural noun is useful when discussing responsibilities or work items.

müssen Müssen means “must” or “need to” in “Aufgaben müssen zuerst erledigt werden”. It expresses necessity: some tasks have to be completed before others. The pattern “etwas muss erledigt werden” is useful for stating required work.

zuerst Zuerst means “first” in “zuerst erledigt werden”, marking the required position in the sequence. It explains when the tasks need to be completed, not how important they are. This adverb is useful when describing a process or order of work.

erledigt Erledigt means “completed” or “done” in “Aufgaben müssen zuerst erledigt werden”. It describes the tasks as finished before a later step can happen. The pattern “Aufgaben erledigen” is useful for talking about completing work.

werden Werden completes the passive construction “erledigt werden”, meaning that the tasks need to be completed. It shows that the focus is on the tasks receiving the action. This construction is useful when the required result matters more than who performs it.

Aber Aber means “but” and introduces the contrast between needing to do tasks first and their value. It signals that the next statement limits the conclusion from the previous sentence. This conjunction is useful when correcting or balancing an argument.

dadurch Dadurch means “as a result” or “by that” in “dadurch sind sie nicht wertvoller”. It refers back to the fact that some tasks must happen first. This word is useful when explaining the consequence of an action or circumstance.

sind Sind means “are” in “sie sind nicht wertvoller”, describing the tasks’ value. It links “sie” with the adjective “wertvoller”. This form is useful for making a statement about several things or people.

sie Sie means “they” in “sie sind nicht wertvoller”, referring back to “Aufgaben”. It is the group being evaluated in the contrast about value. This pronoun is useful for avoiding repetition when referring to plural nouns.

nicht Nicht means “not” in “nicht wertvoller”, rejecting the idea that the tasks are more valuable. It negates the comparison that follows. This placement is useful when denying a quality or comparison.

wertvoller Wertvoller means “more valuable” in “nicht wertvoller”. It compares the value of the tasks and shows that being first does not automatically make them more valuable. Comparative forms like this are useful when evaluating alternatives or priorities.

Ich Ich means “I” in “Ich kann ... erstellen”, identifying the speaker as the person offering to prepare the overview. It is the subject of the proposed action. This pronoun is useful when making a personal offer or commitment.

unserem Unserem means “our” in “unserem nächsten Treffen”, referring to a meeting shared by the speakers. It connects the meeting with the group that includes the speaker. A possessive form like this is useful when identifying a shared event or responsibility.

eine Eine means “a” in “eine Übersicht”, introducing one overview that the speaker can prepare. It presents the item as a new or unspecified document. This article is useful when mentioning a singular countable item for the first time.

Übersicht Übersicht means “overview” or “map” in “eine Übersicht über die Abhängigkeiten”. It refers to a structured presentation of how the dependencies relate to one another. This noun is useful for describing a summary or organized view of information.

über Über means “about” in “eine Übersicht über die Abhängigkeiten”, identifying the subject of the overview. It is part of the common pattern “eine Übersicht über etwas”. This pattern is useful when describing the topic covered by a summary or map.

erstellen Erstellen means “create” or “prepare” in “eine Übersicht ... erstellen”. It describes producing the dependency overview before the next meeting. The pattern “eine Übersicht erstellen” is useful for planning or documenting information.

Damit Damit means “with that” or “by doing so” in “Damit sollte die Diskussion konkret bleiben”. It refers back to preparing the dependency overview and introduces its expected effect. This word is useful when explaining how a proposed action should lead to a result.

sollte Sollte means “should” in “Damit sollte die Diskussion ... bleiben”, expressing an expected or intended result. It says that the overview is expected to help keep the discussion focused. The pattern “Damit sollte + infinitive” is useful for describing the likely purpose of an action.

konkret Konkret means “concrete” or “specific” in “die Diskussion konkret bleiben”. It describes a discussion based on identifiable tasks and dependencies rather than personal reactions. This adjective is useful when asking people to focus on clear facts or actions.

bleiben Bleiben means “remain” or “stay” in “konkret bleiben”. It describes keeping the discussion in a specific, fact-focused state. The pattern “konkret bleiben” is useful when encouraging a conversation to stay focused.

statt Statt means “instead of” in “statt persönlich zu werden”. It contrasts a concrete discussion with one that becomes personal. This word is useful for expressing an unwanted alternative to the intended course of an interaction.

persönlich Persönlich means “personal” in “persönlich zu werden”, describing a discussion that shifts from the work to the people involved. It is the contrasting outcome to “konkret bleiben”. This adjective is useful when distinguishing factual criticism from criticism directed at individuals.

Dann Dann means “then” in “Dann können alle ...”, linking the expected result to the previous proposal. It marks what can happen after the overview has been prepared. This adverb is useful for describing a consequence in a sequence of actions.

können Können means “can” in “können alle die Diskussion ... gründen”, expressing the possibility created by using the same information. It introduces the action that everyone will be able to take. The pattern “können + infinitive” is useful for describing ability or possibility.

alle Alle means “everyone” or “all” in “alle die Diskussion ...”, referring to all participants in the discussion. It broadens the statement beyond only the speakers or certain teams. This word is useful when emphasizing that a group shares an action or reference point.

auf Auf means “on” in “auf dieselben Informationen gründen”. It is part of the pattern used to say that a discussion is based on a source. The pattern “etwas auf Informationen gründen” is useful when explaining the basis for a decision or argument.

dieselben Dieselben means “the same” in “dieselben Informationen”, emphasizing that everyone should use identical information. It points to one shared set of information rather than separate personal impressions. This word is useful when establishing a common basis for discussion.

Informationen Informationen means “information” here, referring to the shared facts on which the discussion should be based. It appears in “auf dieselben Informationen gründen”. This plural form is useful when discussing several facts, details, or pieces of knowledge.

gründen Gründen means “base” or “ground” in “die Diskussion auf dieselben Informationen gründen”. It describes using information as the foundation of the discussion. The reusable pattern is “etwas auf etwas gründen”, with the first object being what is based and the second being its foundation.

nur Nur means “only” or “just” in “nicht nur auf ihren Frust”, limiting what should serve as the basis for the discussion. Together with “nicht”, it helps contrast shared information with frustration. This pattern is useful when saying that one factor should not be the sole basis for something.

ihren Ihren means “their” in “ihren Frust”, referring to the frustration felt by the people in the discussion. It connects the frustration with the participants rather than with the shared information. A possessive form like this is useful when identifying whose reaction or feeling is meant.

Frust Frust means “frustration” in “ihren Frust”, referring to the participants’ emotional reactions. The sentence contrasts this personal frustration with the same information for everyone. This word is useful in workplace conversations about emotions caused by disagreements or blocked work.

Grammar Points

sobald + Nebensatz: Das Verb steht am Ende.

Sobald die Leute anfingen, klang die Diskussion angespannt.

zoh-BAHLT dee LOY-tuh AHN-fing-en, klahng dee dee-koos-see-OHN AHN-guh-SHPAHNT.

As soon as the people started, the discussion sounded tense.

Nach „sobald“ steht das konjugierte Verb im Nebensatz am Ende.

Komparativ: Adjektiv + -er + als

Vertrauen ist wertvoller als Frust.

fer-TROW-en ist VAIRT-fohl-er ahls froost.

Trust is more valuable than frustration.

Mit „-er als“ vergleicht man zwei Dinge oder Gefühle.

German Vocabulary

anfingen verb

AHN-fing-en started

angespannt adj

AHN-guh-SHPAHNT tense

beeinträchtigen verb

beh-EYN-tray-hy-tig-en to impair

Diskussion noun

dee-koos-see-OHN discussion

Gefühl noun

guh-FYOOL feeling

gemeint verb

guh-MINE-t meant

klang verb

klahng sounded

Leute noun

LOY-tuh people

Prioritäten noun

pree-oh-ree-TEH-ten priorities

sobald conj

zoh-BAHLT as soon as

Vertrauen noun

fer-TROW-en trust

zurückgestellt verb

tsoo-RYUK-guh-SHTELT pushed aside

Quiz

Word Order

Arrange the words in the correct order.

Some tasks need to happen first.

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Einige Aufgaben müssen zuerst erledigt werden.

But that does not make them more valuable.

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Aber dadurch sind sie nicht wertvoller.

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

started

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anfingen

tense

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angespannt

people

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Leute

discussion

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Diskussion