German Phrase
Du triffst die Person, die einstellt.
Meaning
You meet the individual who is responsible for hiring new staff. The sentence is often used when describing a networking encounter with a hiring manager or HR representative. Note that 'einstellen' can also mean 'to adjust', so the hiring meaning is clarified by the context.
When to use
Use this sentence in professional settings such as job fairs, networking events, or when you want to tell a colleague that you have met the person who makes hiring decisions. It works well in both informal (du) and formal (Sie) contexts, though the verb form would change with Sie.
✦Grammar Breakdown
DutriffstdiePerson,dieeinstellt.
triffst (2nd person singular)
Present tense of treffen; used with 'du' to mean 'you meet'.
die Person (feminine noun)
Person is a feminine noun, so it takes the definite article 'die' in nominative.
Relative clause with die
The relative pronoun 'die' refers back to the feminine noun 'Person' and introduces the clause 'die einstellt'.
einstellen (hire)
In this context, einstellen means 'to hire' (a person), not 'to adjust' or 'to set'.
🗨In Conversation
Ich habe die Person getroffen, die einstellt.
I met the person who hires.
Wie war das Gespräch?
How was the conversation?
✕Common Mistakes
Du triffst der Person, die einstellt.
Person is feminine; the correct article in nominative is 'die'.
Du triffst die Person, die das Gerät einstellt.
In a hiring context, 'einstellen' means 'to hire', not 'to adjust'. Using it for a device would be misleading.
Du treffen die Person, die einstellt.
If you are speaking formally, you must use 'treffen' with 'Sie': 'Sie treffen die Person...'.
↔Alternatives
Du triffst den Verantwortlichen für die Einstellung.
You meet the person responsible for hiring.
Du triffst den Personalchef.
You meet the HR manager.
Du triffst den, der neue Mitarbeiter einstellt.
You meet the one who hires new employees.
Cultural Tip
In German business culture, it is customary to address a hiring manager with the formal 'Sie' unless you have already established a familiar relationship. Also, because 'einstellen' has multiple meanings, German speakers often add a clarifying word such as 'Mitarbeiter' (employees) if there is any risk of confusion.