German Phrase
Sind wir alle auf derselben Wellenlänge?
Meaning
Literally, ‘Are we all on the same wavelength?’, this idiom asks whether everyone shares the same understanding, attitude, or opinion. It is used to check mutual agreement or to point out a lack of it.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal or semi‑formal conversations when you want to confirm that a group is on the same page – for example before starting a project, during a team meeting, or when discussing a plan with friends.
✦Grammar Breakdown
SindwiralleaufderselbenWellenlänge?
Verb 'sein' (2nd person plural)
‘Sind’ is the present‑tense form of ‘sein’ used with the plural subject ‘wir’. It means ‘are’.
Indefinite pronoun ‘alle’
‘Alle’ means ‘all’ and can be placed before the verb or after the subject for emphasis.
Preposition ‘auf’ + dative
When ‘auf’ expresses a state or location (not movement), it governs the dative case – here ‘derselben Wellenlänge’.
Demonstrative ‘derselbe’ declension
‘derselbe’ (the same) declines like ‘dieser’. In the dative feminine singular it becomes ‘derselben’.
Noun gender & case
‘Wellenlänge’ is feminine; in the dative singular its article is ‘der’, which contracts with ‘derselbe’ to ‘derselben’.
🗨In Conversation
Wir sollen das neue Konzept bis Freitag fertig haben.
We need to have the new concept ready by Friday.
Sind wir alle auf derselben Wellenlänge?
Are we all on the same wavelength?
✕Common Mistakes
Sind wir alle auf der selben Wellenlänge?
‘derselben’ must be one word; ‘der selben’ splits the demonstrative and loses the idiomatic strength.
Sind wir alle auf dem selben Wellenlänge?
The preposition ‘auf’ with a state requires dative, not accusative; ‘dem’ is dative but the demonstrative must still be ‘derselben’.
Sind wir alle auf derselben Wellenlängen?
The noun is feminine; the article in the dative singular is ‘der’, not ‘das’.
↔Alternatives
Verstehen wir uns?
Do we understand each other?
Sind wir uns einig?
Are we in agreement?
Sind wir alle einer Meinung?
Are we all of the same opinion?
Cultural Tip
‘Auf derselben Wellenlänge sein’ is a modern, tech‑inspired metaphor that entered German in the late 20th century. It works well in casual conversation but can sound a bit informal in very formal business settings; there you might prefer ‘Sind wir uns einig?’ or ‘Haben wir dieselbe Vorstellung?’. The phrase is common across German‑speaking countries, though in Austria you’ll also hear ‘auf der gleichen Wellenlänge’ which is grammatically correct but slightly less idiomatic.