die Initiative ergreifen
To take the initiative
직역: to seize the initiative
Use this when you want to describe taking charge and making things happen proactively.
15초 만에
- To stop waiting and start acting yourself.
- Commonly used in work, dating, and social planning.
- Combines 'Initiative' with 'ergreifen' (to seize/grab).
뜻
This phrase describes the moment you stop waiting for someone else to act and decide to be the one who starts things yourself. It is about being proactive and making the first move in any situation.
주요 예문
3 / 6In a business meeting
Wenn niemand einen Vorschlag macht, werde ich die Initiative ergreifen.
If no one makes a suggestion, I will take the initiative.
Talking about a new relationship
Sie hat die Initiative ergriffen und ihn nach einem Date gefragt.
She took the initiative and asked him for a date.
Texting a group of indecisive friends
Leute, ich ergreife jetzt die Initiative: Wir treffen uns um acht!
Guys, I'm taking the initiative now: We're meeting at eight!
문화적 배경
In German culture, 'Eigeninitiative' is a highly prized trait in both school and the workplace. It reflects the post-war 'Wirtschaftswunder' (economic miracle) spirit of rebuilding through individual action and responsibility. While Germans value rules, they have immense respect for the 'Macher'—the person who gets things done without being asked twice.
The 'Macher' Mindset
If you use this phrase in a job interview, you'll immediately score points. It's one of the most 'German' professional virtues you can display.
Don't use 'nehmen'
English speakers often say 'die Initiative nehmen' because of 'take the initiative'. In German, we always 'seize' (ergreifen) it. Using 'nehmen' sounds like a direct translation error.
15초 만에
- To stop waiting and start acting yourself.
- Commonly used in work, dating, and social planning.
- Combines 'Initiative' with 'ergreifen' (to seize/grab).
What It Means
Imagine you are at a party. Everyone is hungry, but no one wants to order pizza. You finally pick up the phone and call. You just decided to die Initiative ergreifen. It means you are the 'doer' in the room. You don't wait for instructions or permission. You see a gap and you fill it. It is about leadership, even in small, everyday moments. It is the opposite of being passive or lazy.
How To Use It
You use this phrase like a standard verb-object combo. The verb ergreifen means to seize or grab. Think of the initiative as a physical object. You reach out and take it before someone else does. You can use it in the past tense with hat die Initiative ergriffen. You can also use it as a suggestion: Wir sollten die Initiative ergreifen. It sounds active and energetic. It makes you look like a leader.
When To Use It
This phrase is perfect for the workplace. Use it in performance reviews or meetings. It shows you are a 'Macher' (a doer). It also works great in your dating life. If you ask someone out first, you are taking the initiative. Use it when planning trips with friends who can't decide. It is useful whenever a situation is stuck. It is the verbal spark that gets the engine running.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for tiny, automatic actions. You don't die Initiative ergreifen to tie your shoes. Avoid it if you are just following a direct order. If your boss says 'Do this,' you aren't taking initiative; you're just working. Also, don't use it if you are being pushy or rude. There is a fine line between taking charge and being a bossy-pants. Use it for positive, constructive actions only.
Cultural Background
Germans deeply value 'Eigeninitiative' (self-initiative). In German offices, people don't always want to be told what to do. They prefer colleagues who see a problem and fix it. This phrase reflects the cultural ideal of the independent, responsible citizen. It’s not just about being loud. It’s about taking responsibility for a result. Historically, it has a slightly formal, military-adjacent origin, but today it is purely professional and social.
Common Variations
You might hear den ersten Schritt machen for romantic contexts. Another one is aktiv werden, which is a bit more general. If you want to sound very formal, you could say die Federführung übernehmen. But die Initiative ergreifen is the gold standard. It hits the perfect balance between sounding smart and being clear. It’s a phrase that earns you respect in almost any German-speaking circle.
사용 참고사항
This is a high-frequency collocation that works in 90% of situations. Just remember that 'ergreifen' is a strong verb (ergreifen - ergriff - ergriffen).
The 'Macher' Mindset
If you use this phrase in a job interview, you'll immediately score points. It's one of the most 'German' professional virtues you can display.
Don't use 'nehmen'
English speakers often say 'die Initiative nehmen' because of 'take the initiative'. In German, we always 'seize' (ergreifen) it. Using 'nehmen' sounds like a direct translation error.
The Silent Initiative
In Germany, taking initiative often means doing the work first and talking about it later. Action speaks louder than words in the DACH region.
예시
6Wenn niemand einen Vorschlag macht, werde ich die Initiative ergreifen.
If no one makes a suggestion, I will take the initiative.
Shows leadership and confidence in a professional setting.
Sie hat die Initiative ergriffen und ihn nach einem Date gefragt.
She took the initiative and asked him for a date.
Used here to describe making the first romantic move.
Leute, ich ergreife jetzt die Initiative: Wir treffen uns um acht!
Guys, I'm taking the initiative now: We're meeting at eight!
A friendly way to end a long, going-nowhere group chat debate.
Der Hund hat die Initiative ergriffen und die Pizza vom Tisch geklaut.
The dog took the initiative and stole the pizza from the table.
Using a formal phrase for a silly animal action creates humor.
Es war schwer, aber ich wollte die Initiative ergreifen und mich entschuldigen.
It was hard, but I wanted to take the initiative and apologize.
Shows emotional maturity and being the first to bridge a gap.
Wir müssen die Initiative ergreifen, bevor die Frist abläuft.
We need to take the initiative before the deadline expires.
Focuses on the urgency of taking action.
셀프 테스트
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb 'ergreifen'.
Gestern hat mein Kollege endlich die Initiative ___.
The past participle of 'ergreifen' is 'ergriffen'. It is an irregular verb.
Which noun fits best in this common collocation?
In einer Krise muss man die ___ ergreifen.
'Die Initiative ergreifen' is a fixed expression (collocation) meaning to take action.
🎉 점수: /2
시각 학습 자료
Formality of 'die Initiative ergreifen'
Used with friends to decide on dinner.
Ich ergreif mal die Initiative.
The standard way to use the phrase in most life situations.
Wer ergreift die Initiative?
Used in business reports or formal speeches.
Es ist notwendig, die Initiative zu ergreifen.
When to Seize the Initiative
Office
Starting a new project solo.
Dating
Sending the first message.
Conflict
Being the first to say sorry.
Social
Picking the restaurant for the group.
자주 묻는 질문
10 질문No, that sounds unnatural. In German, the fixed partner for 'Initiative' is almost always ergreifen. Stick to die Initiative ergreifen to sound like a native.
Not at all! It’s neutral. You can use it when your friends are being indecisive about which movie to watch by saying, Ich ergreife jetzt die Initiative: Wir schauen Inception!
Den ersten Schritt machen is more common in romantic or interpersonal conflicts. Die Initiative ergreifen is broader and used more often in professional or task-oriented settings.
You use the auxiliary verb 'haben'. For example: Er hat die Initiative ergriffen. Note that the verb ergreifen changes to ergriffen.
Yes, you can call them a Macher (doer) or say they have Eigeninitiative. These are very positive terms in a German CV.
Absolutely. It’s very common in business news: Das Unternehmen ergreift die Initiative zur CO2-Reduktion.
Usually no. It implies being helpful and proactive. However, if you do it constantly without letting others speak, people might find it a bit dominant.
The opposite would be passiv bleiben (to stay passive) or abwarten (to wait and see).
Yes! If a team starts attacking after being defensive, the commentator might say: Sie ergreifen jetzt die Initiative.
You can, but it might sound slightly dramatic or ironic. For example, Ich ergreife die Initiative und öffne das Fenster. It makes a small act sound like a big decision.
관련 표현
den ersten Schritt machen
aktiv werden
das Heft in die Hand nehmen
vorangehen
Nägel mit Köpfen machen
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