A calendar in book form or as a digital application in which you enter your appointments and meetings in order to organize them.
example
Ich muss kurz in meinen Terminkalender schauen, ob ich nächste Woche Zeit habe.
I need to quickly check my appointment calendar to see whether I have time next week.
Usage tips
Word composition
The word is a clear compound of 'der Termin' (appointment) and 'der Kalender' (calendar). So it is literally a calendar for appointments.
EXAMPLE
Ohne meinen Terminkalender würde ich alle meine Verabredungen vergessen.
Without my appointment calendar, I would forget all my meetings.
Typical verbs
In everyday life, 'Terminkalender' (appointment calendar) is often used with certain verbs: you enter something 'in den Terminkalender' (in the appointment calendar), take 'einen Blick in den Terminkalender' (a look at the appointment calendar), or look 'in den Terminkalender' (at the appointment calendar).
EXAMPLE
Können Sie den Termin bitte in meinen Terminkalender eintragen?
Could you please enter the appointment in my appointment calendar?
Idiomatic use
The phrase 'einen vollen Terminkalender haben' means that you are very busy and have no time. It is often used as a polite explanation or refusal.
EXAMPLE
Ich würde gerne kommen, aber ich habe leider einen vollen Terminkalender diese Woche.
I would love to come, but unfortunately I have a full appointment calendar this week.
Compare with
near_synonym · confusable
Terminkalender vs Kalender
calendar
'Kalender' and 'Terminkalender' are very close when it comes to organizing appointments. However, 'Kalender' is more general: it can simply show the days, weeks, and months, or it can also contain personal appointments. 'Terminkalender' more specifically means a calendar in which appointments and meetings are entered. The words can be confused because in everyday life people often simply say 'Kalender' even when they mean a 'Terminkalender'. If the content matters, such as meetings, doctor’s appointments, or arrangements, 'Terminkalender' is more precise.
Terminkalender
Vor dem Termin prüft David noch einmal seinen Terminkalender.
Before the appointment, David checks his appointment calendar again.
Kalender
Der Kalender an der Wand zeigt schon den neuen Monat.
The calendar on the wall already shows the new month.