If you're planning to do business in Germany or want to work in a German-speaking environment, it's essential to know some basic German business vocabulary.
In this post, we'll provide you with a few lists of useful German words related to business. We'll start off with some more common German business terms and then move into more specialized vocabulary related to finance & accounting, business communication & etiquette.
PS: We have a separate list on jobs in German, in case you are interested in learning professions in German.
German Business Vocabulary
Common Business Terms for Beginners
Here are some common business terms you may encounter in the German-speaking business world:
- die Firmacompany
- das Unternehmenenterprise
- der GeschäftsführerCEO (Managing Director)
- der Mitarbeiteremployee
- der Kundecustomer
- der Lieferantsupplier
- die Rechnunginvoice
- der Vertragcontract
- die Verhandlungnegotiation
- die Konferenzconference
- die Präsentationpresentation
- die Strategiestrategy
Finance and Accounting Terms
Understanding financial and accounting terms is essential for any business. Here are some words related to finance and accounting in German:
- die Buchhaltungaccounting
- die Finanzenfinance
- der Gewinnprofit
- der Verlustloss
- die Steuertax
- die Bilanzbalance sheet
- der Umsatzrevenue
- die Ausgabenexpenses
- die Liquiditätliquidity
- die Investitioninvestment
- der Kreditcredit
- die Währungcurrency
Business Communication
Effective communication is crucial in the business world. Here are some words related to business communication in German:
- die E-Mailemail
- das Meetingmeeting
- das Protokollminutes (of a meeting)
- der Berichtreport
- die Anfrageinquiry
- die Bestellungorder
- die Zustimmungapproval
- die Absagerejection
- die Zusammenarbeitcooperation
- die Deadlinedeadline
- der Kundecustomer
- der Lieferantsupplier
Business Etiquette
Understanding business etiquette is essential when dealing with German partners or clients. Here are some words related to business etiquette in German:
- der Handschlaghandshake
- die Pünktlichkeitpunctuality
- die Höflichkeitpoliteness
- die Geschäftsordnungbusiness protocol
- die Visitenkartebusiness card
- der Smalltalksmall talk
- das Dresscodedress code
- die Verlässlichkeitreliability
- der Respektrespect
- das Vertrauentrust
- die Verantwortungresponsibility
- die Geschäftsbeziehungbusiness relationship
We hope these vocabulary lists were helpful to you and that you learned some new German business terms to apply in the real world.
If we've missed anything, or you'd like to request something, don't hesitate to get in touch and send us an e-mail!