Introduction: German directness is a style, not an attitude
Expats often describe German communication with one word: direct. Sometimes they mean it positively (clear, efficient). Sometimes they mean it negatively (blunt, cold). The truth is that “direct” is not a personality trait. It’s a communication style with its own rules.
This article explains German directness through language: the specific phrases, structures, and habits that make German sound more straightforward than many other workplace cultures. You’ll learn what Germans usually mean, what they don’t mean, and how to match the style without sounding rude.
We focus on professional contexts: meetings, emails, feedback, and coordination. Every German sentence includes a phonetic reading for English speakers so you can practice quickly.
Core idea: In German workplaces, clarity is often interpreted as respect. Vagueness can feel like shifting work onto the listener.
Note: Directness varies by company, region, and industry. What stays consistent is the preference for explicit scope, explicit responsibility, and explicit decisions.
1) What German directness is (and what it isn’t)
German directness is mainly about reducing ambiguity. It prioritizes answers that can be acted on. That’s why German communication often contains fewer softeners like “maybe,” “kind of,” or “just.”
It is not primarily about being harsh. A German speaker can be direct and friendly at the same time. The friendliness is expressed through reliability and tone, not through constant verbal cushioning.
Directness also does not mean “always speaking your mind.” German workplaces can be formal and hierarchical. People may be direct about facts and decisions while still respecting roles and authority.
2) Why German can sound blunt to English speakers
German often places the main message early. English business writing often delays the message with warm-up language.
German also uses straightforward verbs and clear negation. English sometimes avoids explicit “no” in favor of indirect cues.
Finally, German meeting culture often treats discussion as a search for the correct solution, not as a social harmony exercise. That can sound confrontational if you’re used to more indirect cultures.
3) The German ‘no’ spectrum: from hard stop to soft boundary
Not every German “no” is the same. Learning the spectrum helps you read intent correctly.
Nein. (nine) — No.
Das geht so nicht. (das gate zo nikht) — That doesn’t work like this.
So können wir das nicht machen. (zo KÖN-nen veer das nikht MAH-khen) — We can’t do it that way.
Das ist schwierig. (das ist SHVEE-rikh) — That’s difficult.
Da sehe ich ein Risiko. (dah ZAY-eh ish ine RIZ-ih-koh) — I see a risk there.
In many teams, “Das ist schwierig” is not small talk. It’s a warning that the proposal may fail unless changed.
4) Direct requests: why Germans ask clearly
German colleagues often state the request plainly, especially when coordination is involved. To expats, this can feel like a command. In German contexts, it’s often just efficiency.
Bitte schicken Sie mir die Unterlagen bis morgen. (BIT-teh SHI-ken zee meer dee OON-ter-lah-gen bis MOR-gen) — Please send me the documents by tomorrow.
Können wir das bis Freitag klären? (KÖN-nen veer das bis FRY-tahk KLÄ-ren) — Can we clarify this by Friday?
Notice that politeness is still present: “bitte,” a question form, and a clear time frame. What’s missing is the English-style cushioning (“sorry to bother you”).
5) Feedback language: direct words, practical intent
German feedback is often framed as evaluation of the work, not the person. That’s why it can be short and direct without intending insult.
Das ist noch nicht gut. (das ist nokh nikht goot) — That’s not good yet.
Das ist nicht optimal. (das ist nikht op-tee-MAHL) — That’s not optimal.
Da fehlt noch etwas. (dah FEELT nokh ET-vas) — Something is still missing.
For expats, the key is to respond with calm professionalism rather than emotional defense.
6) The secret: German directness is structured
German directness often comes with structure: criteria, risks, alternatives, and next steps. This is why it can feel “sharp” but still professional.
A common pattern is: state the issue → state the consequence → propose a solution.
Wenn wir das so machen, riskieren wir Verzögerungen. (ven veer das zo MAH-khen, riz-KEE-ren veer fer-TSÖH-ge-roong-en) — If we do it this way, we risk delays.
Ich schlage vor, dass wir Option B nehmen. (ish SHLAH-geh for, das veer op-TSYOHN beh NAY-men) — I suggest we take option B.
7) How to be direct without sounding rude
To match German directness safely, use “softeners” that Germans actually use: facts, framing, and ‘bitte’ — not excessive apologies.
Safer directness
Aus meiner Sicht … (ows MY-ner zikhT) — From my perspective …
Ich würde vorschlagen … (ish VÜR-deh FOR-shlah-gen) — I would suggest …
Können wir …? (KÖN-nen veer) — Can we …?
Risky directness
Das ist falsch. (Often too accusatory unless you’re correcting a clear factual error.)
Das ist Quatsch. (Can sound insulting; avoid.)
Sie haben Unrecht. (Very confrontational; avoid.)
The goal is not to remove directness. The goal is to keep it professional.
8) Power dynamics: who gets to be direct, and when
Directness is not evenly distributed. In hierarchical settings, senior people can be more direct without social cost. Junior employees often package directness with more framing.
Experts can be direct when talking about their domain. Non-experts are expected to ask and verify before stating strong conclusions.
As an expat, your safest path is “direct about process, careful about judgment.” You can be very direct about next steps, deadlines, and responsibilities, while being slightly more cautious in evaluations.
9) Directness in meetings: the phrases you’ll hear
German meetings often contain direct micro-moves that keep the conversation efficient: stopping digressions, requesting clarity, and pushing toward decisions.
Können wir zum Punkt kommen? (KÖN-nen veer tsoom poonkht KOM-men) — Can we get to the point?
Was ist die Entscheidung, die wir heute brauchen? (vahs ist dee ent-SHY-doong, dee veer HOY-teh BROW-khen) — What decision do we need today?
Das ist nicht Teil des Scopes. (das ist nikht tyl des skoops) — That is not part of the scope.
These sentences can feel abrupt, but they are often about protecting meeting time.
10) Scripts: direct but polite German in real situations
Below are short scripts you can reuse. They combine directness with German-appropriate politeness.
Script A: You need a clear deadline
You Können wir einen Termin festlegen? (KÖN-nen veer AI-nen tair-MEEN FEST-lay-gen) — Can we set a date?
You Sonst ist die Planung schwierig. (zonst ist dee PLAH-noong SHVEE-rikh) — Otherwise planning is difficult.
You Ich schlage Freitag 14 Uhr vor. (ish SHLAH-geh FRY-tahk FEER-tsayn oor for) — I propose Friday 2pm.
Script B: You disagree professionally
You Ich verstehe den Ansatz, aber ich sehe ein Risiko. (ish fer-SHTEH-eh den AN-zats, AH-ber ish ZAY-eh ine RIZ-ih-koh) — I understand the approach, but I see a risk.
You Wenn wir das so machen, verlieren wir Zeit. (ven veer das zo MAH-khen, fer-LEE-ren veer tsyt) — If we do it like this, we lose time.
You Können wir Option B prüfen? (KÖN-nen veer op-TSYOHN beh PRÜ-fen) — Can we check option B?
Script C: You need to stop scope creep
You Das ist eine gute Idee. (das ist AI-neh GOO-teh EE-deh) — That’s a good idea.
You Aber das ist nicht im Scope für diese Phase. (AH-ber das ist nikht im skoop für DEE-zeh FAH-zeh) — But it’s not in scope for this phase.
You Sollen wir das als nächsten Schritt aufnehmen? (ZOL-len veer das als NÄKS-ten shrit OWF-nay-men) — Shall we capture it as the next step?
11) Indirectness traps: phrases that confuse German colleagues
Some English politeness habits can backfire in German. The intent is kindness, but the result is ambiguity.
- “Just checking in …” (often sounds like you don’t know what you want)
- “Whenever you have a moment …” (sounds like no deadline exists)
- “I think maybe we could …” (too many hedges; unclear commitment)
Replace these with one clear sentence: what you need, by when, and why it matters.
12) When Germans are indirect (yes, it happens)
German communication is not always blunt. Germans can be indirect, but the indirectness often looks different than in English.
Instead of emotional cushioning, German indirectness often appears as understatement. A phrase that sounds mild can actually be serious.
Das ist nicht ganz optimal. (das ist nikht gants op-tee-MAHL) — That’s not entirely optimal.
Das ist sportlich. (das ist SHPORT-likh) — That’s ‘ambitious’ (often: unrealistic).
These are not insults, but they often signal that the plan needs adjustment.
13) How to respond when someone is direct with you
When a German colleague is direct, the safest response is calm acknowledgement and a next step. Defensiveness tends to prolong conflict.
Verstanden. (fer-SHTAN-den) — Understood.
Danke für den Hinweis. (DAN-keh für den HIN-vise) — Thanks for the pointer.
Ich schaue mir das an und melde mich. (ish SHOW-eh meer das an oont MEL-deh mish) — I’ll look into it and get back to you.
These responses accept the message without accepting blame for your identity.
14) Email directness: shorter doesn’t mean colder
German work emails are often shorter than English ones. That’s normal. Politeness is conveyed through correct form (greeting/closing) and clear content.
Useful pattern: greeting → purpose sentence → request sentence with deadline → closing.
Könnten Sie mir bitte bis Donnerstag Rückmeldung geben? (KÖN-ten zee meer BIT-teh bis DON-ers-tahk RÜK-mel-doong GAY-ben) — Could you please give me feedback by Thursday?
That’s direct, polite, and actionable.
15) A practical training plan: adopt directness without losing warmth
Directness becomes natural when you practice structures, not individual words. Here’s a simple plan that works for busy expats:
- Pick 10 phrases from this article: 3 requests, 3 disagreement frames, 2 scope phrases, 2 decision phrases.
- Practice them out loud for 5 minutes per day for one week.
- In your next meeting, use one phrase deliberately — even if the rest is English.
- After the meeting, write down one moment where you wished you had been clearer. Add one phrase for that moment.
This approach builds a small “directness toolkit” that appears under pressure. Once you have that, your German improves faster because you stop fearing the moment of conflict.
16) Directness and problem ownership: the ‘who does what’ culture
One reason German communication feels direct is that it is often tied to ownership. German workplaces (especially engineering-heavy ones) tend to prefer explicit responsibility boundaries. A sentence is not only information; it is also a coordination move.
In many cultures, responsibility is negotiated indirectly. In Germany, people are more likely to name it. This is not about policing; it’s about preventing gaps. If a task has no owner, it will not happen.
That’s why you will hear very direct questions like “Wer macht das?” or “Wer ist dafür zuständig?” These are not personal attacks. They are attempts to close an accountability gap.
Wer übernimmt das? (vair Ü-ber-NEEMT das) — Who will take this on?
Wer ist dafür zuständig? (vair ist da-FÜR tsoo-SHTEN-dikh) — Who is responsible for this?
As an expat, you can adopt this style safely by framing it as planning. For example: “Damit wir planen können: wer übernimmt das?” That sounds cooperative, not aggressive.
Damit wir planen können: Wer übernimmt das? (da-mit veer PLAH-nen KÖN-nen: vair Ü-ber-NEEMT das) — So we can plan: who will take this on?
Notice the logic: direct question, but with a reason. This is a very German combination.
17) Directness in requirements and scope: why ‘no’ protects the system
Expats sometimes interpret German “no” as negativity. But in project work, “no” often protects the system. It protects timelines, budgets, quality, and legal boundaries.
German teams often prefer saying “no” early rather than saying “yes” and failing later. This makes the communication feel direct, but it also makes planning more reliable.
When scope grows, Germans often respond with direct scope language. You can do the same with calm, factual phrasing.
Das ist nicht im Scope. (das ist nikht im skoop) — That is not in scope.
Das ist ein Change Request. (das ist ine CHAYNJ ree-KWEST) — That is a change request.
Dann müssen wir den Aufwand neu bewerten. (dan MÜS-sen veer den OWF-vant noy beh-VAIR-ten) — Then we need to reassess the effort.
This kind of directness is respected because it prevents hidden costs. It also avoids emotional argumentation: it moves the conversation into trade-offs.
If you want to sound especially professional, add an option: “We can do A now, and B later.” Germans often appreciate option framing.
Wir können A jetzt machen und B in der nächsten Phase. (veer KÖN-nen ah yetst MAH-khen oont beh in dair NÄKS-ten FAH-zeh) — We can do A now and B in the next phase.
18) Directness in risk talk: why Germans prefer explicit warnings
Risk language is another area where German sounds direct. In some cultures, risk is hinted at softly. In Germany, risks are often named explicitly because that enables mitigation.
German risk talk often uses plain words: Risiko, Problem, kritisch, nicht möglich. This is not pessimism; it’s a decision tool.
As an expat, you can adopt this style by pairing risk with mitigation. That combination signals competence: you are not complaining; you are managing.
Ich sehe hier ein Risiko. (ish ZAY-eh heer ine RIZ-ih-koh) — I see a risk here.
Das ist kritisch für den Termin. (das ist KREE-tish für den tair-MEEN) — That’s critical for the deadline.
Wir können das Risiko reduzieren, wenn wir … (veer KÖN-nen das RIZ-ih-koh reh-doo-TSIE-ren, ven veer) — We can reduce the risk if we …
This is direct, but it is also constructive. Many German colleagues will trust you more when you speak this way.
19) Directness in decision-making: ‘what is the decision?’
German meetings often feel direct because they push toward decisions. In some cultures, meetings are mainly alignment and relationship-building. In Germany, many meetings aim to decide.
This decision orientation produces direct phrases that are almost procedural.
Was ist die Entscheidung? (vahs ist dee ent-SHY-doong) — What is the decision?
Was brauchen wir, um zu entscheiden? (vahs BROW-khen veer, oom tsoo ent-SHY-den) — What do we need in order to decide?
Dann entscheiden wir uns für Option B. (dan ent-SHY-den veer oons für op-TSYOHN beh) — Then we decide on option B.
For expats, this can feel abrupt, but it often reduces ambiguity. If you want to fit the style, practice ending your contributions with a decision suggestion or a next step.
Example: instead of finishing with “I think that’s interesting,” finish with “So I suggest we do X by Friday.” In German that sounds like leadership.
Mein Vorschlag ist: Wir machen X bis Freitag. (mine FOR-shlahk ist: veer MAH-khen ex bis FRY-tahk) — My proposal is: we do X by Friday.
20) The ‘polite directness’ toolkit: German softeners that still sound German
Expats often try to soften German directness using English-style language. That can sound unnatural. Instead, use German softeners that still keep clarity.
These softeners do not hide the message. They frame it as perspective, suggestion, or necessity.
- Aus meiner Sicht … (ows MY-ner zikhT) — From my perspective …
- Meines Erachtens … (MY-nes AIR-akh-tens) — In my view …
- Ich würde vorschlagen … (ish VÜR-deh FOR-shlah-gen) — I would suggest …
- Wir müssen … (veer MÜS-sen) — We have to …
- Es wäre sinnvoll … (es VÄ-re ZIN-fol) — It would be sensible …
Notice how these phrases keep the statement firm while removing personal accusation. That’s the sweet spot for expats: direct about the topic, neutral about the person.
21) Directness and emotions: why ‘neutral’ can still be warm
English-speaking expats often equate warmth with friendly language: small talk, enthusiasm, emojis, or softeners. German workplaces often separate warmth from task communication.
In many teams, you show respect by being prepared, meeting commitments, and communicating changes early. That behavior is the ‘warmth’ signal.
This is why a neutral email can still be considered polite. And it’s why overly emotional emails can sometimes feel unprofessional.
That said, you can still be friendly — just place friendliness in the edges: a short greeting, a brief thanks, a polite closing. Keep the core factual.
Vielen Dank für Ihre Unterstützung. (FEE-len dank für EE-re OON-ter-SHTÜT-soong) — Thank you for your support.
Then go back to the task. This balance reads as professional in Germany.
22) Directness in conflict: how to disagree without escalation
Directness becomes challenging in conflict moments. The risk is sounding accusatory. The solution is to disagree with reasons and alternatives, not with labels.
German professional disagreement often uses these moves: acknowledge → state concern → propose alternative → ask for decision.
Ich sehe das anders. (ish ZAY-eh das AN-ders) — I see that differently.
Ich bin nicht sicher, ob das funktioniert. (ish bin nikht ZI-kher, ob das foonk-tsyoh-NEERT) — I’m not sure this works.
Können wir eine Alternative prüfen? (KÖN-nen veer AI-neh al-ter-nah-TEE-veh PRÜ-fen) — Can we evaluate an alternative?
These phrases are direct, but they don’t attack the person. They keep the conflict in the domain of solutions.
If the situation is tense, add a de-escalation phrase that still sounds German:
Lassen Sie uns kurz bei den Fakten bleiben. (LAS-sen zee oons koorts bye den FAK-ten BLAY-ben) — Let’s briefly stick to the facts.
23) Mini case studies: what German directness looks like in practice
Directness is easiest to understand through concrete scenarios. Below are three short case studies that show how language drives interpretation.
Case 1: The ‘not possible’ moment
An expat proposes a solution in a meeting. A German colleague replies: “Das ist nicht möglich.” The expat hears personal rejection. The German colleague means: given current constraints, this approach won’t work.
The productive move is to ask for the constraint rather than argue emotionally.
Woran scheitert es konkret? (voh-RAN SHY-tert es kon-KREET) — What exactly is it failing on?
Case 2: The ‘that’s wrong’ correction
A number is incorrect. A German colleague corrects it quickly. The expat feels embarrassed. In many German teams, fast correction is seen as helping the group, not shaming the person.
You can respond with one calm sentence and move on.
Danke, das korrigiere ich. (DAN-keh, das kor-REE-gee-reh ish) — Thanks, I’ll correct that.
Case 3: The ‘get to the point’ interruption
An expat provides context. A colleague says: “Können wir zum Punkt kommen?” This is often not hostility; it is a time-management move.
A professional response is to compress your message into one decision sentence.
Der Punkt ist: Wir brauchen heute eine Entscheidung zu X. (dair poonkht ist: veer BROW-khen HOY-teh AI-neh ent-SHY-doong tsoo ex) — The point is: we need a decision on X today.
24) Directness in negotiation: trade-offs, not pressure
Negotiation in German workplaces is often more explicit than expats expect. Instead of hinting, people name trade-offs directly. This can feel intense, but it also makes negotiation clearer.
A typical German negotiation sentence is not “We would love to…” but “Wenn wir das wollen, müssen wir …” It frames reality: you can have A, but it costs B.
Wenn wir das bis Montag wollen, brauchen wir mehr Kapazität. (ven veer das bis MOHN-tahk VOL-len, BROW-khen veer mehr kah-pah-tsee-TÄT) — If we want this by Monday, we need more capacity.
Dann müssen wir an anderer Stelle reduzieren. (dan MÜS-sen veer an AN-der-er SHTEL-leh reh-doo-TSIE-ren) — Then we need to reduce somewhere else.
This type of directness is often appreciated because it makes constraints visible. As an expat, using trade-off language can improve your perceived maturity.
One safe pattern is: objective → constraint → option. You state a shared goal, name the constraint, then propose options.
Das Ziel ist klar. Die Einschränkung ist Zeit. Option A wäre … (das TSEEL ist klahr. dee IN-shren-koong ist tsyt. op-TSYOHN ah VÄ-re) — The goal is clear. The constraint is time. Option A would be …
25) Directness and praise: why compliments can feel ‘rare’
Another reason German communication feels direct is that praise is often used more sparingly than in some cultures. Many expats interpret fewer compliments as negativity.
In many German teams, “no complaint” is often a sign things are okay. Praise is often reserved for exceptional work or for moments where recognition serves a purpose (e.g., motivating, acknowledging effort, or marking a milestone).
This does not mean you should avoid praise. It means praise should be specific and credible.
Das war gut vorbereitet. (das vahr goot fohr-beh-RY-tet) — That was well prepared.
Das ist eine saubere Lösung. (das ist AI-neh ZOW-ber-eh LÖH-zoong) — That’s a clean solution.
Notice the style: concrete, technical, not emotional. Specific praise sounds natural in German.
26) Directness and silence: the hidden companion
Directness and silence often travel together in German meetings. People may be direct when they speak, and silent while they evaluate.
Expats sometimes fill silence with more explanation. That can accidentally weaken your message by making it sound uncertain.
A stronger move is to stop, invite evaluation, and then summarize.
Ich lasse das kurz stehen. Gibt es Fragen oder Einwände? (ish LAS-seh das koorts SHTAY-en. gibt es FRAH-gen OH-der IN-vende) — Let me leave that for a moment. Any questions or objections?
This is direct, calm, and confident. It turns silence into a structured step.
27) The ‘directness checklist’ for expats
When you write an email or speak in a meeting, you can use a quick checklist to sound direct in a German way — without sounding rude.
- Purpose in one sentence: What is this about?
- Action in one sentence: What do you need from the other person?
- Deadline: By when (date/time, not “soon”)?
- Reason (optional): Why does the deadline matter?
- Next step: What happens after the action?
If you hit these points, your message will feel clear and professional to most German colleagues.
Then add one polite frame: “bitte,” a short “Danke,” and a correct closing. That’s usually enough.
28) Compact phrase bank: direct, professional, safe
Save this list. These phrases cover the most common directness moments in German work life.
- Können wir das bis Freitag klären? (KÖN-nen veer das bis FRY-tahk KLÄ-ren) — Can we clarify this by Friday?
- Das ist nicht im Scope. (das ist nikht im skoop) — That is not in scope.
- Ich sehe ein Risiko. (ish ZAY-eh ine RIZ-ih-koh) — I see a risk.
- Mein Vorschlag ist: … (mine FOR-shlahk ist) — My proposal is: …
- Wer übernimmt das? (vair Ü-ber-NEEMT das) — Who will take this on?
- Dann halten wir fest: … (dan HAL-ten veer fest) — Then we note: …
Use them as “control phrases.” Even if the rest of your conversation is English, these phrases align you with German meeting culture.
29) Myths about German directness (and what’s actually true)
Myth 1: Germans are direct because they don’t care about feelings. In professional contexts, many Germans show care by reducing uncertainty. Clarity prevents stress later.
Myth 2: Directness means you can’t be diplomatic. German diplomacy often looks like factual framing and option thinking. It is less about emotional cushioning and more about fairness.
Myth 3: If someone is direct, they are angry. A neutral tone with direct words is common. Anger is usually signaled by volume, sarcasm, or personal attacks — not by clarity.
Myth 4: You must become blunt to fit in. You don’t. You can keep your personality and become clearer. Most teams appreciate a calm, respectful style that still names reality.
Myth 5: Indirectness is always bad. Sometimes indirectness is appropriate (e.g., sensitive feedback). But in day-to-day coordination, German culture often rewards explicitness.
30) A smooth transition: how to sound ‘German direct’ while still speaking English
If your workplace is bilingual, you don’t have to switch everything to German at once. A practical strategy is to keep the content in English but adopt German directness patterns in how you structure the message.
For example, start with the action, not the story. Use explicit deadlines. Name ownership. Summarize decisions at the end of meetings.
Then add a few German “control phrases” when you need them — especially for meetings:
- direct request: “Können wir …?”
- scope protection: “Das ist nicht im Scope.”
- decision push: “Was ist die Entscheidung?”
- ownership: “Wer übernimmt das?”
This approach gives you cultural alignment immediately, even before your German vocabulary grows. Over time, you can expand the German portion naturally.
The goal is not to perform a stereotype. The goal is to communicate in a way that reduces ambiguity and increases reliability.
31) Before-and-after: converting ‘polite English’ into ‘clear German’
Many expats write emails that are polite in English but confusing in German contexts. The issue is not grammar; it’s structure. Below are “before-and-after” transformations you can copy.
Example 1 (deadline request)
Before (English-style): “Hope you’re well. Just checking if you might have a chance to look at the document when you have a moment.”
After (German-style structure): “Could you please review the document by Thursday? We need the feedback to finalize the decision on Friday.”
Könnten Sie das Dokument bitte bis Donnerstag prüfen? Wir brauchen die Rückmeldung für die Entscheidung am Freitag. (KÖN-ten zee das doh-koo-MENT BIT-teh bis DON-ers-tahk PRÜ-fen? veer BROW-khen dee RÜK-mel-doong für dee ent-SHY-doong am FRY-tahk) — Could you please review the document by Thursday? We need the feedback for the decision on Friday.
Example 2 (scope boundary)
Before: “I’m not sure this is the best time to add this, but maybe we can consider it later?”
After: “This is out of scope for this phase. Let’s capture it for phase two.”
Das ist für diese Phase nicht im Scope. Wir nehmen es für Phase zwei auf. (das ist für DEE-zeh FAH-zeh nikht im skoop. veer NAY-men es für FAH-zeh tsvy owf) — This is not in scope for this phase. We’ll capture it for phase two.
The lesson is simple: state the action, state the timeline, state the reason. That is the “polite” version of directness in many German workplaces.
32) Quick self-test: are you being clear enough?
If you want to know whether your message will land well in a German context, ask three quick questions.
- Could a colleague act on this message without asking follow-up questions?
- Is the deadline explicit (a date/time), not implied?
- Is ownership explicit (who does what next)?
If the answer is yes, you are using German-style directness — even if your German vocabulary is still basic.
33) One sentence to remember
German directness is easiest to summarize in one rule: make the next action obvious. If your listener knows exactly what happens next, your tone will usually be perceived as professional, not rude.
Final takeaway: clarity is the polite version of directness
German directness is not about being harsh. It is about being clear: clear scope, clear decisions, clear responsibilities, clear timelines.
If you adopt that clarity — with respectful framing and calm tone — you will sound professional in German, and you’ll avoid the biggest expat misunderstandings.
Start small: one direct request, one structured disagreement, one explicit summary. Your confidence will follow.