Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Termin | /tɛʁˈmiːn/ | masculine |
| Verabredung | [fɛɐ̯ˈʔapʁeːdʊŋ] (narrow) | feminine |
The word refers to an arrangement for a meeting or an engagement. You can use specific compound nouns to be more precise, such as Arzttermin for a doctor's appointment, Vorstellungstermin for a job interview or diplomatischer Termin for a diplomatic meeting.
Which one should you use?
Termin is used for professional, medical or official appointments. In contrast, Verabredung is used for social plans or casual meetings with friends.
How does it change in a sentence?
The plural of Termin is Termine, and the plural of Verabredung is Verabredungen. Termin is a masculine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/tɛʁˈmiːn/
What mistakes should you avoid?
Avoid using Termin to describe a social date or a casual meeting with a friend. This sounds overly formal or clinical in German. Instead, use Verabredung for social engagements.
Did you know?
- The word Termin shares its roots with the English word 'terminus', meaning an end or a boundary.
- If you are running late for a Termin, it is considered much more serious and unprofessional than simply being late for a social Verabredung.
- In certain technical contexts, a Termin can also refer to a 'deadline' because it describes a specific point in time that marks a limit.
Examples in context
- Wann ist Ihr Termin?When is your appointment?This sentence asks about the time of your Termin.Tatoeba #8247562 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #6927486 by Eccles17
- Hat er einen Termin?Does he have an appointment?This sentence asks if someone has a Termin.Tatoeba #10558086 by Yorwba, translation #11051462 by sundown
- Tom hat einen Termin.Tom has an appointment.This sentence states that Tom has a Termin.Tatoeba #10095064 by wolfgangth, translation #5832767 by CK
- Ich hätte gerne einen Termin bei Herrn Müller.I would like to schedule an appointment with Mr. Müller.
- 178 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are talking in a cafe about their schedules.
- FelixHast du heute einen Termin?Do you have an appointment today?
- SarahJa, ich habe einen Termin beim Zahnarzt.Yes, I have an appointment at the dentist.
- FelixUm wie viel Uhr ist dein Termin?What time is your appointment?
- SarahUm drei Uhr nachmittags.At three o'clock in the afternoon.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “appointment” translations and entries Termin, Verabredung, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Termin, Verabredung, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
