German · Real conversations
How to say “Is this the right word?” in German
Check whether your choice of vocabulary fits a particular situation.
Ist das das richtige Wort?
Is this the right word?
Show the word, then give the sentence or context where you want to use it.
Use it in three situations
Choosing an adjective
Ist das das richtige Wort?
Is this the right word?
Checking a work term
Ist das das richtige Wort für eine formelle Nachricht?
Is this the right word for a formal message?
Learning a useful expression
Ist das in diesem Satz das richtige Wort?
Is this the right word in this sentence?
What to watch for
A dictionary meaning alone cannot tell you whether a word suits every context.
Read the whole expression before replacing a detail. The natural wording may use a different order or construction from the English sentence.
Your turn
Imagine repairing a conversation. Say this in German: Is this the right word for a formal message?
Reveal a sample reply
Ist das das richtige Wort für eine formelle Nachricht?
Is this the right word for a formal message?
Build a useful exchange
Check a meaning and leave with something you can use.
This expression in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
