SpeeekDownload on the App Store
Back to Making Phone Calls

German Phrase

Ich verbinde dich mit der richtigen Abteilung.

/ɪç fɛɐ̯ˈbɪndə dɪç mɪt deːɐ̯ ˈʁɪçtɪɡən ˈʔapˌtaɪlʊŋ/
Meaning"I’ll connect you to the right department."
💡

Meaning

This sentence means “I’ll connect you to the right department.” It is commonly used in customer service or office settings when directing someone to the appropriate team or unit. The verb ‘verbinden’ here is used in the sense of “to put someone through” on a phone or to link them with a specific department.

🎯

When to use

Use this phrase when you are on a call or in person and need to transfer a person to another department, such as sales, technical support, or billing. It conveys helpfulness and professionalism.

✦Grammar Breakdown

IchverbindedichmitderrichtigenAbteilung

1

Verb: verbinden

‘verbinden’ is a regular verb; in the present tense 1st person singular it becomes ‘verbinde’. It can mean ‘to connect’ (phone) or ‘to link’.

2

Accusative pronoun ‘dich’

‘dich’ is the accusative form of ‘du’, used because the verb ‘verbinden’ takes a direct object.

3

Dative after ‘mit’

The preposition ‘mit’ always governs the dative case, so ‘der’ is the dative feminine article and ‘richtigen’ is the dative weak adjective ending.

4

Noun gender

‘Abteilung’ is a feminine noun (die Abteilung), therefore the dative article is ‘der’.

🗨In Conversation

A

Ich habe ein Problem mit meiner Rechnung.

I have a problem with my invoice.

Ich verbinde dich mit der richtigen Abteilung.

I’ll connect you to the right department.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich verbinde Sie mit der richtigen Abteilung.

    If you use the formal ‘Sie’, the verb stays the same but the pronoun changes to ‘Sie’ (accusative).

  • Ich verbinde dich mit der richtige Abteilung.

    The adjective must agree with the dative feminine noun, so it should be ‘richtigen’, not ‘richtige’.

  • Ich verbinde dich mit richtige Abteilung.

    Do not drop the article; ‘mit der Abteilung’ is required after ‘mit’.

↔Alternatives

  • Ich leite dich an die passende Abteilung weiter.

    I’ll forward you to the appropriate department.

  • Ich setze dich mit der zuständigen Abteilung in Verbindung.

    I’ll put you in touch with the responsible department.

  • Ich schalte dich zur richtigen Abteilung durch.

    I’ll transfer you to the right department.

de

Cultural Tip

In German business culture, it’s polite to state the department you’re transferring to and, if possible, give a brief reason. Using ‘die richtige Abteilung’ signals that you understand the caller’s need and are taking care of it efficiently. Avoid overly informal language on the phone; stick with ‘Sie’ in formal contexts, but ‘du’ can be used if you already have a familiar relationship.