Which one should you use?
While bezüglich Ihrer Frage is the standard formal version, you should use bezüglich deiner Frage if you are addressing the person with the informal du (informal you). For a completely different informal structure, you can use Was deine Frage betrifft.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
bezüglich Ihrer Frage is highly formal and is most suitable for professional correspondence, such as official letters or business emails. In the same formal register, you can also use the synonymous alternative hinsichtlich Ihrer Frage or the phrase In Bezug auf Ihre Frage. For informal situations, use Was deine Frage betrifft.
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition bezüglich requires the genitive case. This is why the possessive pronoun changes from the standard Ihre to Ihrer in this specific phrase.
How do you pronounce it?
/bəˈtsyːklɪç ˈiːʁɐ ˈfʁaːɡə/
Did you know?
- While bezüglich Ihrer Frage is perfect for an email, if you use this exact phrase in a casual spoken conversation at a bar, you will sound intentionally overly dramatic or even sarcastic.
- The word bezüglich comes from the verb beziehen, which relates to the idea of 'drawing' or 'pulling' something toward a point. In a linguistic sense, you are metaphorically pulling the topic of the question into the center of your focus.
- The word Frage shares a common ancestor with the English word 'ask', both stemming from the Proto-Indo-European root *preḱ-, which originally meant to 'inquire' or 'seek'.
Examples in context
- Bezüglich Ihrer Frage kann ich Ihnen mitteilen, dass der Termin bestätigt wurde.Regarding your question, I can inform you that the appointment has been confirmed.
- Bezüglich Ihrer Frage habe ich gute Nachrichten.Regarding your question, I have good news.
- Ich schreibe Ihnen bezüglich Ihrer Frage zum Termin.I am writing to you regarding your question about the appointment.
- Bezüglich Ihrer Frage bin ich noch nicht sicher.Regarding your question, I am not yet sure.
Example conversation
A professional follow-up email exchange between two colleagues.
- FelixGuten Tag, Frau Schmidt.Good day, Ms. Schmidt.
- SarahGuten Tag, Herr Weber. Können Sie mir helfen?Good day, Mr. Weber. Can you help me?
- FelixBezüglich Ihrer Frage habe ich alle Details gefunden.Regarding your question, I have found all the details.
- SarahVielen Dank für die schnelle Antwort.Thank you very much for the quick response.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (bezüglich, ihrer, Frage) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Frage, CC BY-SA 4.0.
