German Phrase
Ich ruf dich an, um unser Treffen zu bestätigen.
Meaning
Literally: 'I call you in order to confirm our meeting.' It is a polite, yet informal way to let someone know you will give them a phone call to make sure the planned meeting is still on.
When to use
Use this sentence when you have already arranged a meeting and want to double‑check the details by phone. It works well among friends, classmates, or colleagues in a casual business setting.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ichrufdichan,umunserTreffenzubestätigen.
Separable verb: anrufen
The verb 'anrufen' splits in main clause: 'ruf ... an'. The prefix 'an' moves to the end of the clause.
Colloquial contraction
'ruf' is the spoken short form of the 1st person singular 'rufe'. Both are correct; 'rufe' is more formal.
Accusative object
'dich' is the accusative form of 'du' and is the direct object of 'anrufen'.
um … zu infinitive clause
Use 'um' + infinitive with 'zu' to express purpose: 'um unser Treffen zu bestätigen' = 'in order to confirm our meeting'.
Possessive adjective
'unser' agrees with the neuter noun 'Treffen' and stays unchanged in the nominative/accusative.
🗨In Conversation
Hey, hast du das Treffen morgen schon bestätigt?
Hey, have you already confirmed the meeting for tomorrow?
Noch nicht. Ich ruf dich an, um unser Treffen zu bestätigen.
Not yet. I’ll call you to confirm our meeting.
✕Common Mistakes
Ich ruf dich an, um unser Treffen zu bestätigen.
In very formal contexts the short form 'ruf' can sound too casual; use 'rufe' instead.
Ich rufe dich an, um unser Treffen bestätigen.
The infinitive clause needs 'zu' after 'um'.
Ich rufe dich an um unser Treffen zu bestätigen.
German requires a comma before the 'um … zu' clause.
Ich rufe dich an, um unser Treffen zu bestätigen.
If you are speaking formally, replace 'dich' with 'Sie'.
↔Alternatives
Ich rufe dich an, um unser Treffen zu bestätigen.
I’ll call you to confirm our meeting.
Ich melde mich, um unser Treffen zu bestätigen.
I’ll get in touch to confirm our meeting.
Ich kontaktiere dich, um unser Treffen zu bestätigen.
I’ll contact you to confirm our meeting.
Cultural Tip
In German, phone calls are usually described with the separable verb 'anrufen'. The short form 'ruf ... an' is common in spoken, informal language. In a formal email or business letter you would use the full form 'rufe' and might prefer 'ich werde Sie anrufen' (formal 'Sie'). Also, always place a comma before the 'um … zu' clause – German punctuation rules require it.

