Initiative zeigen
To show initiative
Literalmente: Initiative show
Use this phrase to describe someone who proactively takes the lead or solves problems without being told.
Em 15 segundos
- Take action without being asked.
- Highly valued in German workplaces.
- Use it with 'zeigen' or 'ergreifen'.
Significado
It means taking the lead and doing something helpful before anyone asks you to. It's about being proactive and spotting a need before it becomes a problem.
Exemplos-chave
3 de 6Job interview
In meinem letzten Job habe ich oft Initiative gezeigt.
In my last job, I often showed initiative.
Annoyed roommate
Könntest du beim Putzen auch mal Initiative zeigen?
Could you also show some initiative when cleaning?
Dating
Er hat endlich Initiative gezeigt und sie nach einem Date gefragt.
He finally showed initiative and asked her out.
Contexto cultural
In German work culture, being a 'Mitdenker' (someone who thinks along) is highly prized. It reflects the value of 'Selbstständigkeit' (independence) and taking personal responsibility for one's environment. It has been a staple of professional feedback and job descriptions for decades.
The CV Secret
In German job applications, use 'Eigeninitiative' instead of just 'Initiative'. It sounds more professional and self-driven.
Don't be Bossy
Telling a peer to 'Initiative zeigen' can sound like you are calling them lazy. Use it carefully in friendships.
Em 15 segundos
- Take action without being asked.
- Highly valued in German workplaces.
- Use it with 'zeigen' or 'ergreifen'.
What It Means
Imagine you're at a party. The snacks are gone. You don't wait for the host. You just go and refill the bowl. That is Initiative zeigen. It's about seeing a gap and filling it. You aren't a robot waiting for a command. You are the pilot of your own actions. You don't just sit there like a passenger. It is a very positive trait in Germany. It means you are observant and helpful. It’s that spark that makes you act because you see it’s necessary.
How To Use It
This phrase is a powerhouse in professional settings. You combine the noun Initiative with the verb zeigen. It works just like "to show" in English. You can say ich zeige, er zeigte, or wir haben gezeigt. It's often used with modal verbs like sollte or muss. For example, Du solltest mehr Initiative zeigen. You can also use it in the negative. Keine Initiative zeigen means someone is being passive or lazy. Don't be that person. In German, Initiative is feminine, so it's die Initiative. But in this phrase, it usually stands alone without an article.
When To Use It
Use it when you want to impress a boss. Mention it in your CV or during an interview. It's also great for group projects at school. If no one picks a topic, you should Initiative zeigen. It works whenever someone needs to step up.
- In a job interview:
Ich zeige gerne Initiative. - With a lazy roommate:
Zeig mal ein bisschen Initiative! - In a team meeting:
Wir müssen hier mehr Initiative zeigen.
It shows you are a leader and a contributor. It is also great for dating when someone finally makes the first move.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use it if the situation is strictly regulated. If you're a trainee in a chemistry lab, don't just "show initiative" with random chemicals. That's how superhero origin stories—or lab explosions—start. Always follow safety rules first. Also, avoid it in very relaxed, personal moments. Don't tell someone to Initiative zeigen while they are napping on a Sunday. That’s just mean. And be careful with the tone. If you say it to a friend, it can sound a bit bossy. It’s like saying, "Stop being so useless." Use it with a smile if you're not at work.
Cultural Background
Germans love the word Eigenverantwortung. This means personal responsibility. In many German offices, doing what you're told is only the bare minimum. They want a Mitdenker—someone who thinks with the team. This person sees a problem and fixes it. They don't wait for a meeting to discuss it. Historically, this links to the value of craftsmanship and mastery. A true master doesn't need to be told to sweep the floor. They just see the dust and act. This proactive spirit is highly respected in German society. It shows you care about the result, not just the paycheck.
Common Variations
You might hear Eigeninitiative ergreifen. That sounds a bit more formal. It literally means "to seize" initiative. It’s the kind of phrase you’d see in a formal letter of recommendation. Another one is proaktiv sein. That's the modern, corporate version. It’s very common in tech startups. If you want to be more down-to-earth, try etwas in die Hand nehmen. This means taking charge of a situation. If you want to be poetic, use den ersten Schritt machen. This means taking the first step in a new direction. All of these phrases celebrate the act of starting.
Notas de uso
The phrase is neutral and works in both formal and informal settings. Avoid using the verb 'machen' (to make) with 'Initiative', as this is a common grammatical error for learners.
The CV Secret
In German job applications, use 'Eigeninitiative' instead of just 'Initiative'. It sounds more professional and self-driven.
Don't be Bossy
Telling a peer to 'Initiative zeigen' can sound like you are calling them lazy. Use it carefully in friendships.
The Mitdenker
Germans love a 'Mitdenker' (someone who thinks along). Showing initiative is the fastest way to earn respect in a German team.
Exemplos
6In meinem letzten Job habe ich oft Initiative gezeigt.
In my last job, I often showed initiative.
A classic way to highlight your work ethic to a recruiter.
Könntest du beim Putzen auch mal Initiative zeigen?
Could you also show some initiative when cleaning?
A slightly passive-aggressive way to ask for help.
Er hat endlich Initiative gezeigt und sie nach einem Date gefragt.
He finally showed initiative and asked her out.
Refers to taking the first step in a relationship.
Ich zeige Initiative, indem ich die letzte Pizza-Ecke esse.
I'm showing initiative by eating the last piece of pizza.
Using a serious phrase for a silly, selfish action.
Danke, dass du Initiative gezeigt und mich angerufen hast.
Thanks for showing initiative and calling me.
Appreciating someone reaching out during a hard time.
Zeig mal Initiative! Wo treffen wir uns?
Show some initiative! Where are we meeting?
Pushing a friend to make a decision.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing word to complete the phrase.
In einer Krise muss man ___ zeigen.
The collocation is 'Initiative zeigen', meaning to take action in a crisis.
Choose the correct verb for this professional context.
Der Chef möchte, dass wir mehr Initiative ___.
In German, you 'show' (zeigen) initiative, you don't 'make' (machen) it.
🎉 Pontuação: /2
Recursos visuais
Formality of 'Initiative zeigen'
Telling a friend to pick a movie.
Zeig mal Initiative!
Describing a helpful neighbor.
Er zeigt viel Initiative.
Performance review at a bank.
Sie haben große Initiative gezeigt.
Where to use 'Initiative zeigen'
Office
Fixing the printer without being asked.
Dating
Planning the whole weekend trip.
University
Starting the group chat for a project.
Home
Taking out the trash when it's full.
Perguntas frequentes
12 perguntasIt literally means 'to show initiative.' It's about taking the first step without being prompted.
Not necessarily. It just means you act without being told, even in small ways like den Müll rausbringen (taking out the trash).
Yes! If someone finally asks their crush out, you could say Er hat endlich Initiative gezeigt.
Use it to describe your past successes. For example: Ich habe oft Eigeninitiative gezeigt, um Prozesse zu verbessern.
It's neutral. You can use it with your boss or your friends, but the context changes the tone from professional to casual.
Yes, but be careful not to sound too demanding. You might say Zeig mal Initiative! when a friend can't decide on a bar.
Ergreifen is more formal and sounds more decisive. Zeigen is the standard version used in everyday speech.
Yes, but it's more modern and corporate. You'll hear proaktiv a lot in office meetings and LinkedIn profiles.
Germans value Selbstständigkeit (independence). It's a core part of the work ethic to solve problems without waiting for a manager.
It's someone who 'thinks along' with the team. Showing initiative is the best way to prove you are a Mitdenker.
No, that sounds very unnatural. Always use zeigen or ergreifen with the noun Initiative.
Yes, in German, all nouns are capitalized. So it's always Initiative, never initiative.
Frases relacionadas
Eigeninitiative ergreifen
To take initiative (more formal)
Den ersten Schritt machen
To take the first step
Proaktiv handeln
To act proactively
Etwas in die Hand nehmen
To take charge of something
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