SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to At Work

German Phrase

Was genau meinst du mit 'Synergie'?

/vas ɡəˈnaʊ̯ ˈmaɪ̯nst duː mɪt ˈzʏnɐɡiː/
Meaning"What exactly do you mean by 'synergy'?"
💡

Meaning

The speaker is asking for a precise definition of the term 'Synergie' that the listener just used. It signals that the word sounds vague or buzz‑wordy and the speaker wants a concrete explanation.

🎯

When to use

Use this sentence in meetings, presentations, or casual conversations when someone drops a technical or buzzword you don’t fully grasp. It’s polite yet direct, suitable for both formal and informal German.

✦Grammar Breakdown

WasgenaumeinstdumitSynergie

1

Was (interrogative pronoun)

Used to ask 'what' and starts a question seeking clarification.

2

genau (adverb)

Means 'exactly' or 'precisely', adds emphasis to the request for detail.

3

meinst (verb meinen, 2nd person singular)

Present tense of 'to mean' addressed to 'du', forming the core of the question.

4

du (personal pronoun)

Second‑person singular informal 'you', placed after the verb in questions.

5

mit (preposition)

Means 'with' and introduces the object whose meaning is being asked about.

6

Synergie (noun, borrowed)

A business buzzword meaning 'synergy'; capitalised because all German nouns are.

🗨In Conversation

A

Wenn wir die beiden Teams zusammenlegen, entsteht mehr Synergie.

If we merge the two teams, more synergy will arise.

Was genau meinst du mit 'Synergie'?

What exactly do you mean by 'synergy'?

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Was du meinst genau mit 'Synergie'?

    In German questions the verb comes before the subject; the correct order is 'Was genau meinst du...'.

  • Was genau meinst du mit Synergie?

    The borrowed noun should stay capitalised: 'Synergie'.

  • Was genau meinst du mit 'Synergie' ?

    No space before the closing quotation mark or question mark in German punctuation.

↔Alternatives

  • Was verstehst du genau unter 'Synergie'?

    What exactly do you understand by 'synergy'?

  • Könntest du bitte genauer erklären, was du mit 'Synergie' meinst?

    Could you please explain more precisely what you mean by 'synergy'?

  • Wie definierst du 'Synergie'?

    How do you define 'synergy'?

de

Cultural Tip

In German business culture 'Synergie' is a common buzzword, often used to justify mergers or collaborations. While it sounds positive, native speakers may be skeptical and ask for concrete examples. Using this phrase shows you’re attentive and want substance rather than jargon.