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German Phrase

Nenn mir bitte deine letzten zwei Arbeitgeber.

/nɛn miːɐ̯ ˈbɪtə ˈdaɪ̯nə ˈlɛt͡stn̩ t͡svaɪ̯ ˈaʁbaɪ̯tˌɡeːbɐ/
Meaning"Please tell me your last two employers."
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Meaning

This phrase is a direct request for information about a person's previous employment history. It's commonly used in job interviews or when someone needs to verify professional experience. The addition of "bitte" makes the direct command polite.

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When to use

You would typically hear or use this phrase in a job interview setting, during a background check, or when discussing professional experience with someone in a formal context. It's a standard question to understand a candidate's work trajectory.

✦Grammar Breakdown

NennmirbittedeineletztenzweiArbeitgeber

1

Nenn (nennen)

This is the informal singular imperative form of the verb 'nennen' (to name, to call). It's an irregular verb, and the imperative is used to give a command or make a request.

2

mir

This is the dative pronoun for 'ich' (I). The verb 'nennen' often takes a dative object for the person to whom something is named or told.

3

bitte

'Bitte' means 'please'. It softens the imperative command, making the request polite rather than abrupt.

4

deine

This is the informal possessive pronoun 'your'. It agrees in gender, number, and case with the noun it modifies, which is 'Arbeitgeber' (plural, accusative here).

5

letzten

'Letzten' is the adjective 'last' in its weak declension, plural accusative form. It modifies 'zwei Arbeitgeber'.

6

Arbeitgeber

'Arbeitgeber' means 'employer(s)'. This noun is masculine, and its plural form is the same as the singular. Here it is in the accusative case as the direct object of 'nennen'.

🗨In Conversation

A

Vielen Dank für Ihre Bewerbung. Nenn mir bitte deine letzten zwei Arbeitgeber.

Thank you very much for your application. Please tell me your last two employers.

Gerne. Meine letzten Arbeitgeber waren die Musterfirma GmbH und die Beispiel AG.

Certainly. My last employers were Musterfirma GmbH and Beispiel AG.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Sag mir bitte deine letzten zwei Arbeitgeber.

    While 'sagen' means 'to say', 'nennen' is specifically used for naming or listing specific items like employers. 'Sagen' is for general speaking.

  • Nenn mir bitte deine letzte zwei Arbeitgeber.

    The adjective 'letzten' is in the correct plural accusative form here, agreeing with 'Arbeitgeber'. 'Letzte' would be incorrect for this context.

  • Nenn mir bitte deine letzten zwei Arbeitgeber an.

    The verb 'nennen' in this context does not require a separable prefix like 'an'. Adding it would be grammatically incorrect.

↔Alternatives

  • Könnten Sie mir bitte Ihre letzten zwei Arbeitgeber nennen?

    Could you please tell me your last two employers?

  • Welche waren Ihre letzten beiden Arbeitgeber?

    Which were your last two employers?

  • Wer waren Ihre letzten beiden Arbeitgeber?

    Who were your last two employers?

de

Cultural Tip

In German professional contexts, directness is often appreciated, but politeness (like 'bitte') is still crucial. Questions about work history are standard in interviews and are expected to be answered factually. Be prepared to provide specific dates and responsibilities. Data privacy is also important in Germany, so such questions are usually asked in relevant professional settings where the information is necessary.