01
duzen
to use du
To address someone with the informal form of address 'du', as opposed to the formal form of address 'Sie'.
example
In unserem Team duzen sich alle Kollegen.
In our team, all colleagues use 'du' with each other.
duzen
to use du
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Meanings
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Usage tips
Use with the accusative
The verb 'duzen' (to use du) is always used with a person in the accusative. It describes the action of addressing someone with 'du'.
EXAMPLE
In vielen Start-ups duzen die Mitarbeiter sogar den Chef.
In many start-ups, employees even use 'du' with the boss.
Cultural significance
The choice between 'duzen' (to use du) and the formal form of address 'Sie' ('siezen', to use Sie) is very important in German. Normally, the older or higher-ranking person offers the 'Du'.
EXAMPLE
Mein Professor hat mir angeboten, ihn zu duzen.
My professor offered that I could use 'du' with him.
Typical phrase
A very common phrase is 'jemandem das Du anbieten' (to offer someone the use of Du). This is the polite way to suggest a more informal form of address.
EXAMPLE
Nach dem Meeting hat mir die Chefin das Du angeboten.
After the meeting, the boss offered me the use of 'Du'.
Construction with 'mit'
The reflexive form 'sich duzen mit' describes a mutual, familiar relationship. The person you are on 'Du' terms with is connected with the preposition 'mit' and the dative.
EXAMPLE
Ich duze mich mit allen meinen direkten Kollegen.
I’m on 'du' terms with all my direct colleagues.
Compare with
duzen vs Bruderschaft
brotherhood
'Bruderschaft' and 'duzen' can both have to do with switching from 'Sie' to 'du'. 'duzen' directly describes the form of address: you say 'du' to someone. 'Bruderschaft trinken' (to drink to brotherhood), on the other hand, is a specific ritual in which two people drink together and often switch to 'du' afterward. Learners may confuse the words because both occur in situations with greater familiarity. In practice: you 'duzt' a person in everyday life; you only 'trinkt Bruderschaft' in a special, rather traditional situation.
duzen
Im kleinen Team duzen sich alle, auch die Chefin.
In the small team, everyone uses 'du' with each other, including the boss.
Bruderschaft
Nach dem Fest haben die beiden Kollegen Bruderschaft getrunken.
After the party, the two colleagues drank to brotherhood.
In real life
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