Setting sustainable work boundaries | Learn German in English

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Use Setting sustainable work boundaries to practice German conversation, pronunciation, vocabulary, grammar, and quizzes.

Dialogue

Ich war produktiv, aber das Tempo wird zunehmend nicht mehr tragbar.

ikh vahr proh-dook-TEEF, AH-ber dahs TEM-poh veert tsoo-NAY-mend nikht mehr TRAHG-bahr I have been productive, but the pace is becoming unsustainable.

Ich schätze es, dass du das ansprichst, bevor die Leistung nachlässt.

ikh SHET-suh ess, dahss doo dahs AHN-shprikhst, beh-FOHR dee LYE-stoong NAHKH-lest I appreciate you raising it before performance drops.

Ich kann weiterhin Ergebnisse liefern, sofern wir die Prioritäten reduzieren.

ikh kahn VY-ter-heen air-GEB-nis-suh LEE-fern, zoh-FAIRN veer dee pree-oh-ree-TAY-ten reh-dook-TSEE-ren I can continue delivering, provided priorities are reduced.

Wir müssen zwischen dringender Arbeit und Arbeit unterscheiden, die hauptsächlich aus Gründen der Sichtbarkeit erledigt wird.

veer MYU-sen TSVISH-en DRING-en-der AR-bite oont AR-bite oon-ter-SHY-den, dee HOWPT-saykh-likh ows GROO-nen dair ZIKHT-bahr-kite air-LAY-dikt veert We need to distinguish urgent work from work done mainly for visibility.

Manche sichtbaren Aufgaben kosten Energie, ohne etwas an den Ergebnissen zu ändern.

MAHN-khuh ZIKHT-bahr-en OWF-gah-ben KOS-ten en-er-GEE, OH-nuh ET-vahs an den air-GEB-nis-sen tsoo EN-dern Some visible tasks consume energy without changing results.

Dann sollten wir sie bewusst streichen oder delegieren.

dahn ZOL-ten veer zee beh-VOOSST SHTRY-khen OH-der day-leh-GEER-en Then we should cut or delegate them deliberately.

Ich würde auch von klareren Punkten profitieren, an denen wir die Arbeit beenden.

ikh VYUHR-duh owkh fohn KLAH-reh-ren POONGK-ten proh-fee-TEE-ren, an DAY-nen veer dee AR-bite beh-EN-den I would also benefit from clearer stopping points.

Ich kann für jede aktive Aufgabe Kriterien für den Abschluss festlegen.

ikh kahn fyur YAY-duh ak-TEE-vuh OWF-gah-buh kree-TAY-ree-en fyur den AHP-shlooss FEST-lay-gen I can define completion criteria for each active task.

Word by Word

Ich “Ich” means “I” and identifies the speaker as the person describing the workload. It is used as the subject in “Ich war produktiv” and “Ich schätze es”. A learner can use it whenever speaking about their own actions, experiences, or opinions.

war “war” states that the speaker was productive in the past situation described here. It is used with the adjective “produktiv” in “Ich war produktiv”. This is useful for describing a past state or condition.

produktiv “produktiv” means productive: the speaker has been achieving a lot through their work. It describes the subject after “war” in “Ich war produktiv”. It can be reused to describe a person, period, or way of working that produces results.

aber “aber” means “but” and introduces a contrast between being productive and finding the pace unsustainable. In “Ich war produktiv, aber ...”, it connects two opposing points. Use it when one statement limits or contrasts with the previous statement.

das “das” means “the” in “das Tempo” and identifies the specific pace being discussed. It comes directly before the noun “Tempo”. This article can be reused before the same neuter noun when referring to a particular pace.

Tempo “Tempo” means the pace or speed of the work in “das Tempo wird zunehmend nicht mehr tragbar”. The word names the rate at which work is being done. It is useful when discussing whether a work rhythm or speed can be maintained.

wird “wird” means “becomes” here and shows that the pace is changing into a less sustainable condition. It appears in “das Tempo wird zunehmend nicht mehr tragbar”. Use this form to describe a developing change in the situation.

zunehmend “zunehmend” means increasingly and shows that the problem with the pace is growing over time. It modifies the description in “wird zunehmend nicht mehr tragbar”. It is useful when describing a condition that is becoming stronger or more noticeable.

nicht “nicht” provides the negation in “nicht mehr tragbar”. Here it helps say that the pace is no longer sustainable. It is useful for negating an adjective or another part of a sentence.

mehr “mehr” contributes the idea of “any more” in the combination “nicht mehr tragbar”. Together, “nicht mehr” shows that the pace was or may have been bearable before but is not so now. This pattern is useful for describing a condition that has stopped being true.

tragbar “tragbar” means bearable or sustainable in “nicht mehr tragbar”. It evaluates whether the current pace can continue without becoming unacceptable. This adjective is useful when discussing workloads, costs, or conditions that can or cannot be maintained.

schätze “schätze” means “appreciate” in “Ich schätze es, dass du das ansprichst”. It expresses positive recognition of the other person’s action. This form is useful for acknowledging someone’s helpful decision or honest communication.

es “es” is the “it” in “Ich schätze es, dass du das ansprichst”. It serves as the object of “schätze” while the following clause explains what is appreciated. This pattern lets a speaker express appreciation for a complete action or situation.

dass “dass” means “that” and introduces the clause explaining what the speaker appreciates. In “dass du das ansprichst”, it connects the appreciation to the other person’s action. Use it to introduce a statement that functions as the content of another verb or expression.

du “du” means “you” and identifies the person being thanked for raising the issue. It is the subject of “du das ansprichst”. Use it when addressing one familiar person directly.

ansprichst “ansprichst” means “bring up” or “address” in “dass du das ansprichst”. It refers to openly mentioning the workload problem. This form is useful when telling someone that they have raised a topic for discussion.

bevor “bevor” means “before” and introduces the point in time before performance declines. In “bevor die Leistung nachlässt”, it links the action of raising the issue to a later possible development. Use it to explain that one action should happen earlier than another.

die “die” means “the” in “die Leistung” and identifies the performance being discussed. It comes directly before “Leistung”. This article is used here to refer to a specific kind of performance in the situation.

Leistung “Leistung” means performance in “die Leistung nachlässt”. It refers to the quality or level of work output. This noun is useful when discussing whether someone’s work performance is improving, stable, or declining.

nachlässt “nachlässt” means declines or weakens in “bevor die Leistung nachlässt”. It describes performance becoming lower rather than remaining at its current level. Use it when explaining that intensity, quality, or effectiveness is decreasing.

kann “kann” means “can” and expresses the speaker’s ability or possibility to continue delivering results. It is followed by “weiterhin Ergebnisse liefern” in “Ich kann weiterhin Ergebnisse liefern”. This pattern is useful for stating what someone is able to do under a condition.

weiterhin “weiterhin” means still or continuing to and shows that the delivery of results can continue. It modifies “Ergebnisse liefern” in “Ich kann weiterhin Ergebnisse liefern”. Use it when an activity or situation remains possible over time.

Ergebnisse “Ergebnisse” means results and names what the speaker can continue delivering. It appears in the useful expression “Ergebnisse liefern”. This plural noun is useful when discussing concrete outcomes of work or activity.

liefern “liefern” means deliver or provide in “Ergebnisse liefern”. It is the action that the speaker says they can continue performing. This expression is useful for describing the production or provision of results, reports, or other work outcomes.

sofern “sofern” means “provided that” and introduces the condition for continuing to deliver results. In “sofern wir die Prioritäten reduzieren”, it makes the reduction of priorities a requirement. Use it to state a condition that must be met for something to remain possible.

wir “wir” means “we” and refers to the two people jointly deciding how to manage the workload. It is the subject in “sofern wir die Prioritäten reduzieren”. At the beginning of a sentence, the same pronoun appears as “Wir”, as in “Wir müssen ...”.

Prioritäten “Prioritäten” means priorities and refers to the tasks or goals that should be reduced. It is the object of “reduzieren” in “wir die Prioritäten reduzieren”. This word is useful when deciding which work should receive attention first.

reduzieren “reduzieren” means reduce and describes lowering the number or scope of priorities. It appears at the end of the clause “sofern wir die Prioritäten reduzieren”. Use it when proposing a smaller workload, quantity, or level of activity.

müssen “müssen” means “must” or “need to” and expresses a necessary action in “Wir müssen ... unterscheiden”. It is followed by the infinitive “unterscheiden”. This pattern is useful for stating an obligation or an important next step.

zwischen “zwischen” means “between” and introduces the two categories that need to be distinguished. In the dialogue, it connects urgent work with work done for visibility. Use it when comparing or separating two people, things, groups, or types of work.

dringender “dringender” means urgent in “dringender Arbeit”. It identifies work that requires attention because it cannot be treated like merely visible work. This form is useful when describing work that needs prompt action.

Arbeit “Arbeit” means work and appears in “dringender Arbeit” as one side of the distinction. It refers generally to the tasks or activity being managed. This noun is useful when discussing workload, responsibilities, or the effort required.

und “und” means “and” and connects the two types of work in the distinction. It joins “dringender Arbeit” with the following work description. Use it to link equivalent items or ideas.

unterscheiden “unterscheiden” means distinguish or tell apart in “zwischen dringender Arbeit und Arbeit ... unterscheiden”. It describes separating work into meaningful categories. This pattern is useful when deciding whether two things should be treated differently.

hauptsächlich “hauptsächlich” means mainly and shows that visibility is the primary reason for doing the second type of work. It modifies the reason in “hauptsächlich aus Gründen der Sichtbarkeit”. Use it when one reason or part has greater importance than the others.

aus “aus” contributes the meaning “for” in the expression “aus Gründen der Sichtbarkeit”. It introduces the reasons connected with the work being done. This preposition is useful when explaining the reason or motivation behind an action.

Gründen “Gründen” means reasons in “aus Gründen der Sichtbarkeit”. It names the motives for which the work is completed. This form is useful when giving the reasons behind a decision or action.

der “der” links “Sichtbarkeit” to “Gründen” in “Gründen der Sichtbarkeit”, giving the meaning “reasons of visibility”. It identifies the specific concept connected with the reasons. Here it helps form a relationship between two nouns.

Sichtbarkeit “Sichtbarkeit” means visibility and refers to how noticeable the work is to others. In “aus Gründen der Sichtbarkeit”, it describes work done mainly to be seen rather than to change results. This noun is useful when discussing recognition or the public visibility of work.

erledigt “erledigt” means completed or done in “Arbeit ... erledigt wird”. It describes the work as being carried out, with “wird” showing that this completion is part of the sentence’s passive construction. Use it when referring to a task that has been completed or is being completed.

Manche “Manche” means some and introduces a subset of the visible tasks. In “Manche sichtbaren Aufgaben”, it says that the statement applies to certain tasks, not necessarily all of them. Use it when referring to an unspecified part of a group.

sichtbaren “sichtbaren” means visible in “Manche sichtbaren Aufgaben”. It describes tasks that are noticeable to others. This form is useful when identifying work that has a visible presence or output.

Aufgaben “Aufgaben” means tasks and refers to the specific pieces of work that consume energy. It appears in “sichtbaren Aufgaben”. This plural noun is useful when discussing several responsibilities or pieces of work.

kosten “kosten” means cost or consume in “Aufgaben kosten Energie”. Here it describes the energy required by the tasks, not a financial price. This pattern is useful for saying that an activity consumes time, effort, or energy.

Energie “Energie” means energy and names the personal resource consumed by the visible tasks. It is the object in “Aufgaben kosten Energie”. This noun is useful when discussing the effort needed to maintain work or activity.

ohne “ohne” means “without” and introduces an action that does not produce a corresponding change in the results. In “ohne etwas an den Ergebnissen zu ändern”, it links the energy cost to the absence of an outcome. Use it to describe something that happens without another action or result.

etwas “etwas” means something or anything in the phrase “ohne etwas an den Ergebnissen zu ändern”. Under “ohne”, it refers to any change being made to the results. This word is useful when referring to an unspecified thing or amount.

an “an” contributes the relationship between the change and the results in “etwas an den Ergebnissen zu ändern”. It identifies the results as the area being changed. This pattern is useful when describing an adjustment to a particular aspect of something.

den “den” means “the” in “an den Ergebnissen” and identifies the particular results under discussion. It appears directly before “Ergebnissen”. Here it forms the article phrase used for the results being affected.

Ergebnissen “Ergebnissen” means results in “an den Ergebnissen”. It identifies what the tasks fail to change. This form is useful when discussing changes made to existing work outcomes.

zu “zu” marks the infinitive phrase “zu ändern” after “ohne”. It helps express the action that does not occur: changing something about the results. This construction is useful for describing an action that is absent from the situation.

ändern “ändern” means change in “etwas an den Ergebnissen zu ändern”. It describes modifying the results in some way. This verb is useful when discussing whether an action has any effect on an existing outcome.

Dann “Dann” means “then” and introduces the consequence of the previous observation. In “Dann sollten wir ...”, it connects the lack of useful results with a recommended decision. Use it to show what should happen next.

sollten “sollten” expresses a recommendation in “Dann sollten wir sie bewusst streichen oder delegieren”. It presents cutting or delegating the tasks as the sensible next action. This form is useful when suggesting what a group ought to do.

sie “sie” means “them” and refers back to the visible tasks. It is the object of both “streichen” and “delegieren” in “sie bewusst streichen oder delegieren”. Use it to avoid repeating plural tasks that have already been mentioned.

bewusst “bewusst” means deliberately or consciously and shows that the tasks should be removed or delegated as an intentional decision. It modifies both alternatives in “bewusst streichen oder delegieren”. Use it when emphasizing that an action is planned rather than accidental.

streichen “streichen” means cut or remove in the context of tasks that do not change results. It is one of the recommended actions in “sie bewusst streichen oder delegieren”. This verb is useful when deciding to eliminate an item from a list or plan.

oder “oder” means “or” and presents two alternative actions: removing the tasks or delegating them. It connects “streichen” and “delegieren”. Use it when offering a choice between alternatives.

delegieren “delegieren” means delegate and describes giving the tasks to someone else instead of doing them personally. It is the second option in “sie bewusst streichen oder delegieren”. This verb is useful when assigning responsibility for a task to another person.

würde “würde” expresses “would” in “Ich würde auch von klareren Punkten profitieren”. It presents a possible benefit in a softened, non-demanding way. This form is useful when explaining what would help or what someone would gain from a change.

auch “auch” means “also” or “too” and adds clearer stopping points to the other workload measures already discussed. In “Ich würde auch ... profitieren”, it shows that this is an additional useful change. Use it when adding another related point.

von “von” appears in the pattern “von klareren Punkten profitieren” and introduces what provides the benefit. Here, the speaker would benefit from clearer stopping points. This pattern is useful when saying that someone benefits from a person, thing, or change.

klareren “klareren” means clearer and describes stopping points that are easier to understand or apply. It modifies “Punkten” in “von klareren Punkten”. This form is useful when comparing a proposed arrangement with a less clear one.

Punkten “Punkten” means points and refers here to stopping points for ending work. It appears in “klareren Punkten, an denen wir die Arbeit beenden”. This word is useful when defining moments or criteria that mark progress or an endpoint.

profitieren “profitieren” means benefit in “von klareren Punkten profitieren”. It describes receiving a practical advantage from clearer stopping points. This verb is useful with “von” when explaining what helps a person or situation.

denen “denen” refers back to “Punkten” in “Punkten, an denen wir die Arbeit beenden”. It means “at which” and introduces the relative clause explaining what happens at those points. Use it to connect plural points with the actions associated with them.

beenden “beenden” means end or finish in “an denen wir die Arbeit beenden”. It describes bringing the work to a stopping point. This verb is useful when setting a clear endpoint for a task or work period.

für “für” means “for” and links the completion criteria to each active task in “für jede aktive Aufgabe”. It identifies what the criteria apply to. Use it to specify the person, thing, or task that something is intended for.

jede “jede” means each or every and shows that the completion criteria should apply separately to every task. It modifies “aktive Aufgabe” in “für jede aktive Aufgabe”. This form is useful when making a rule apply to all individual items in a group.

aktive “aktive” means active and describes tasks that are currently in progress or still being handled. It appears in “jede aktive Aufgabe”. This adjective is useful when distinguishing current work from work that is finished or inactive.

Aufgabe “Aufgabe” means task and refers to one individual piece of work in “jede aktive Aufgabe”. It is the item for which completion criteria will be defined. This noun is useful when discussing a specific responsibility or work item.

Kriterien “Kriterien” means criteria and refers to the standards used to decide whether a task is complete. It is the object in “Kriterien für den Abschluss festlegen”. This plural noun is useful when setting measurable or understandable requirements.

Abschluss “Abschluss” means completion in “Kriterien für den Abschluss”. It names the endpoint that the criteria are meant to define. This noun is useful when discussing when work can be considered finished.

festlegen “festlegen” means define or set in “Kriterien für den Abschluss festlegen”. It describes formally deciding what the completion standards will be. This verb is useful when establishing rules, criteria, priorities, or stopping points.

Grammar Points

sofern + Nebensatz: Das konjugierte Verb steht am Ende.

Sofern wir die Prioritäten bewusst festlegen, liefern wir weiterhin.

zoh-FAIRN veer dee pree-oh-ree-TAY-ten beh-VOOSST FEST-lay-gen, LEE-fern veer VY-ter-heen

Provided that we deliberately establish the priorities, we will continue to deliver.

„Sofern“ leitet eine Bedingung ein. Im Nebensatz steht das konjugierte Verb am Ende.

Trennbare Verben im Hauptsatz: Präfix am Satzende

Wir legen die Prioritäten fest.

veer LAY-gen dee pree-oh-ree-TAY-ten FEST

We establish the priorities.

Bei „festlegen“ steht „fest“ im Hauptsatz am Ende: „Wir legen … fest.“

German Vocabulary

ansprechen verb

AHN-shpreh-khen to raise; to address ansprichst

Leistung noun

LYE-stoong performance

liefern verb

LEE-fern to deliver

nachlassen verb

NAHKH-lah-sen to decrease; to decline nachlässt

nicht mehr tragbar phrase

nikht mehr TRAHG-bahr no longer sustainable

Priorität noun

pree-oh-ree-TAYT priority Prioritäten

produktiv adj

proh-dook-TEEF productive

schätzen verb

SHET-sen to appreciate schätze

sofern conj

zoh-FAIRN provided that

Tempo noun

TEM-poh pace

weiterhin adv

VY-ter-heen continuously; still

zunehmend adv

tsoo-NAY-mend increasingly

Quiz

Spelling

Tap the letters to spell the word.

continuously; still

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weiterhin

increasingly

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zunehmend

performance

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Leistung

to appreciate

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schätze