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German Phrase

Ich beantworte Mails und Anrufe.

/ɪç bəˈʔantvɔʁtə maɪls ʊnt ˈanʁuːfə/
Meaning"I answer emails and phone calls."
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Meaning

Literally: “I answer emails and phone calls.” It describes a typical office task of handling written and spoken communication. The word “Mails” is informal; in formal writing you would say “E‑Mails”.

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When to use

Use this sentence when you talk about your daily duties at work, during a job interview, or when a colleague asks what you are doing at the moment. It’s perfect for a professional but conversational context.

✦Grammar Breakdown

IchbeantworteMailsundAnrufe

1

Personalpronomen

„Ich“ is the first‑person singular pronoun used as the subject of the sentence.

2

Verbkonjugation

„beantworte“ is the present‑tense 1st person singular form of the verb „beantworten“ (to answer).

3

Akkusativobjekt

„beantworten“ takes a direct object in the accusative case – here both „Mails“ and „Anrufe“.

4

Pluralformen

„Mails“ and „Anrufe“ are plural nouns; note the colloquial spelling „Mails" for „E‑Mails".

5

Koordination

The conjunction „und“ simply links the two objects.

🗨In Conversation

A

Was machst du gerade im Büro?

What are you doing right now in the office?

Ich beantworte Mails und Anrufe.

I’m answering emails and phone calls.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich antworte Mails und Anrufe.

    „antworten“ needs the preposition „auf“ (antworten auf etwas) and cannot take a direct object.

  • Ich beantworte Mail und Anruf.

    When referring to more than one, use the plural “Mails” or the more formal “E‑Mails”.

  • Ich beantworte Mails, Anrufe.

    Do not forget the verb before each object if you change the structure: "Ich beantworte Mails, ich nehme Anrufe entgegen."

↔Alternatives

  • Ich bearbeite E‑Mails und Telefonate.

    I process e‑mails and phone calls.

  • Ich nehme E‑Mails und Anrufe entgegen.

    I take in e‑mails and phone calls.

  • Ich kümmere mich um Mails und Anrufe.

    I take care of e‑mails and phone calls.

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Cultural Tip

In German business communication, “Mails” is widely used in spoken language and informal writing, but in formal emails or reports you’ll see “E‑Mails”. Likewise, “Anrufe” refers to incoming calls you answer; if you want to stress the act of speaking on the phone, you can use “Telefonate". Adjust the register according to the audience – keep it casual with teammates, formal with clients.