Meiner Meinung nach...
In my opinion...
Literally: Of my opinion after...
Use this to share your view, but remember to put the verb right after the phrase!
In 15 Seconds
- The standard way to share your personal thoughts or perspective.
- Always put the verb immediately after this phrase in a sentence.
- Perfect for both professional meetings and casual chats with friends.
Meaning
This is your go-to way to share your perspective or thoughts on a topic. It is the most common way to say 'I think' or 'In my view' without sounding too aggressive or too shy.
Key Examples
3 of 6Discussing food with friends
Meiner Meinung nach ist die Pizza hier die beste der Stadt.
In my opinion, the pizza here is the best in town.
In a professional meeting
Meiner Meinung nach sollten wir das Projekt heute starten.
In my opinion, we should start the project today.
Texting about a movie
Meiner Meinung nach war der Film total langweilig.
In my opinion, the movie was totally boring.
Cultural Background
Germans have a deep-rooted 'Diskussionskultur' where debating ideas is a form of social bonding. This phrase is a staple in German households and talk shows alike because it clearly separates personal belief from objective fact, which is a distinction Germans take very seriously.
The Verb Trap
Always follow the phrase with a verb. Think of it as a 1-2 punch: Phrase, then Action!
Don't Overuse It
If you use it in every sentence, you'll sound like a politician. Mix it up with 'Ich finde' or 'Ich glaube'.
In 15 Seconds
- The standard way to share your personal thoughts or perspective.
- Always put the verb immediately after this phrase in a sentence.
- Perfect for both professional meetings and casual chats with friends.
What It Means
Meiner Meinung nach is the classic way to introduce your personal viewpoint. It literally translates to 'according to my opinion.' It acts like a polite signal to others. It says: 'Hey, I am about to share my thoughts now.' It is clear, direct, and very German.
How To Use It
This phrase is a bit of a grammar trap. In German, the verb must be the second element in a sentence. Because Meiner Meinung nach counts as the first 'chunk,' the verb must come immediately after it. You would say: Meiner Meinung nach ist das Wetter schön. You do NOT say: Meiner Meinung nach das Wetter ist schön. That is a common mistake that will make you sound like a beginner. Just remember: Phrase + Verb + Subject. It feels backwards at first, but you will get used to it!
When To Use It
You can use this almost anywhere. Use it when discussing which pizza topping is best. Use it when arguing about politics at a dinner party. It works perfectly in emails to your boss. It also works when texting your best friend about a movie. It is the 'Swiss Army Knife' of German expressions. It makes you sound thoughtful and articulate.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use it for objective facts. If you say Meiner Meinung nach ist Berlin die Hauptstadt, people will look at you funny. Berlin *is* the capital; it is not an opinion. Also, avoid using it every single time you speak. If every sentence starts this way, you will sound like a broken record. Sometimes a simple Ich finde... (I find/think) is enough to keep the conversation flowing naturally.
Cultural Background
Germans value honesty and directness. Sharing your opinion is seen as a sign of engagement and respect. In some cultures, people beat around the bush. In Germany, people appreciate knowing exactly where you stand. Using this phrase shows you are participating in the 'Diskussionskultur' (discussion culture). It is common to have long, intense debates over coffee. This phrase is your ticket into those conversations.
Common Variations
You might also hear Ich bin der Meinung, dass... (I am of the opinion that...). This is slightly more formal and heavy. Another one is Meines Erachtens, which is very formal and mostly used in writing. For a casual vibe, you can just say Ich finde.... But Meiner Meinung nach remains the gold standard for daily life. It strikes the perfect balance between being polite and being firm.
Usage Notes
This phrase is incredibly versatile and fits almost any social situation. The only 'gotcha' is the word order—ensure the verb is the very next word after the phrase.
The Verb Trap
Always follow the phrase with a verb. Think of it as a 1-2 punch: Phrase, then Action!
Don't Overuse It
If you use it in every sentence, you'll sound like a politician. Mix it up with 'Ich finde' or 'Ich glaube'.
The 'Nach' Secret
The word 'nach' usually means 'after' or 'to', but here it means 'according to'. It's a rare case where 'nach' follows the noun it describes!
Examples
6Meiner Meinung nach ist die Pizza hier die beste der Stadt.
In my opinion, the pizza here is the best in town.
A classic casual use for sharing a preference.
Meiner Meinung nach sollten wir das Projekt heute starten.
In my opinion, we should start the project today.
Shows professional confidence without being bossy.
Meiner Meinung nach war der Film total langweilig.
In my opinion, the movie was totally boring.
Short and direct for digital communication.
Meiner Meinung nach ist Socken in Sandalen ein Verbrechen.
In my opinion, socks in sandals is a crime.
Using a formal-sounding phrase for a silly topic creates humor.
Meiner Meinung nach war das die richtige Entscheidung.
In my opinion, that was the right decision.
Provides emotional support and validation.
Meiner Meinung nach brauchst du ein neues Auto.
In my opinion, you need a new car.
Direct advice given in a neutral way.
Test Yourself
Complete the sentence with the correct verb placement.
Meiner Meinung nach ___ das zu teuer.
In German, the verb must come second. Since 'Meiner Meinung nach' is the first part, 'ist' must follow immediately.
Choose the correct prepositional ending.
Meiner ___ nach ist der Kaffee kalt.
'Meinung' is the German word for opinion. The phrase is fixed as 'Meiner Meinung nach'.
🎉 Score: /2
Visual Learning Aids
Formality of Sharing Opinions
Used with close friends
Ich finde...
The sweet spot for everyone
Meiner Meinung nach...
Used in academic or legal writing
Meines Erachtens...
Where to use 'Meiner Meinung nach'
At a Restaurant
The soup needs salt.
Office Meeting
The deadline is too short.
With Friends
The party was great.
University
The theory is interesting.
Frequently Asked Questions
12 questionsIt means 'In my opinion' or 'According to my opinion.' It is the most common way to introduce a personal thought in German.
The verb goes immediately after the phrase. For example: Meiner Meinung nach *ist* das gut.
Yes, it is perfectly neutral. It sounds professional yet personal enough for a workplace setting.
Absolutely! It is very common in texting when discussing plans or sharing thoughts on something you just saw.
Ich finde (I find) is slightly more casual. Meiner Meinung nach sounds a bit more structured and deliberate.
Because the preposition 'nach' triggers the dative case, and 'Meinung' is feminine. In dative, 'die' changes to 'der', hence Meiner.
It is possible but rare. Usually, it stays at the beginning to set the stage for your opinion.
Not really a shorter version of this phrase, but you can just say Ich denke... (I think) if you are in a hurry.
You can use Meines Erachtens. It means the same thing but is much more common in formal letters or essays.
In this specific expression, yes. It is a postposition here, meaning it follows the noun Meinung.
No, that would be confusing. Use it only for things that are subjective, like tastes, feelings, or predictions.
No, it is used throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. It is standard High German.
Related Phrases
Ich finde, dass...
I find that... (Casual)
Ich bin der Meinung, dass...
I am of the opinion that... (Slightly formal)
Meines Erachtens
In my view (Very formal/Written)
Ich glaube...
I believe/think...
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