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German Phrase

Uns wäre ein 15% höheres Budget lieber.

/ʊns ˈveːʁə aɪn ˈfʏnftseːnt ˈhøːʁəʁəs ˈbʏdʒɛt ˈliːbɐ/
Meaning"We would prefer a 15% higher budget."
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Meaning

The sentence states a preference for a budget that is fifteen percent larger than the current one. It is phrased politely, using the subjunctive mood to soften the request.

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When to use

Use this construction when negotiating project funding, discussing financial plans with a client, or politely indicating that a higher budget would be more suitable in a business or academic setting.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Unswäreein15%höheresBudgetlieber

1

Uns (Dativ)

Dativ‑Pronomen, used here as the experiencer in an impersonal construction with 'sein'.

2

wäre (Konjunktiv II)

Konjunktiv II of 'sein' expresses a hypothetical or polite wish.

3

ein 15% höheres Budget (Nom.)

Noun phrase with indefinite article; the comparative adjective 'höher' takes the strong ending '-es' because there is no preceding article that would give a weak ending.

4

lieber (Komparativ)

Comparative adverb meaning 'rather' or 'preferably', placed at the end of the clause.

🗨In Conversation

A

Wir haben ein Budget von 100 000 Euro für das Projekt.

We have a budget of €100,000 for the project.

Uns wäre ein 15% höheres Budget lieber.

We would prefer a budget that is 15 % higher.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Uns wären ein 15% höheres Budget lieber.

    The verb must stay singular (wäre) because the subject is the impersonal construction, not 'wir'.

  • Uns wäre ein 15% höheres Budgetes lieber.

    The noun 'Budget' is neuter; the adjective already carries the ending, so no extra -es is added to the noun.

  • Uns wäre ein 15% höheres Budget lieberes.

    ‘Lieber’ is an adverb here, not an adjective, so it does not take an ending.

↔Alternatives

  • Wir würden ein um 15 % größeres Budget bevorzugen.

    We would prefer a budget that is 15 % larger.

  • Ein um 15 % höheres Budget wäre uns lieber.

    A budget that is 15 % higher would be preferable to us.

  • Wir wünschen uns ein 15 % größeres Budget.

    We wish for a budget that is 15 % larger.

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Cultural Tip

In German business communication, the Konjunktiv II is often used to make requests sound less demanding and more courteous. Placing 'lieber' at the end of the clause is typical and keeps the sentence sounding natural and polite.