The idea
In many German workplaces, the person leaving gives an Ausstand, the counterpart of the Einstand: they bring cake, snacks or drinks and invite colleagues to a short get-together, often on their last day. Colleagues frequently collect money for a farewell gift and sign a card. Speeches are more common in larger or more formal settings, especially at retirement. Some teams organise everything for the person leaving instead. Because customs and preferences differ, asking is considerate. Grammar: “sich freuen auf” refers to something in the future, “sich freuen über” to something already here.
Other ways to say it
“Gibst du einen Ausstand, oder sollen wir etwas organisieren?” – Casual; names both common options directly.
“Wie möchtest du deinen letzten Tag bei uns verbringen?” – Warm, open question that leaves the choice to the colleague.
“Möchten Sie zum Abschied ein paar Worte sagen?” – Formal Sie version, for example at a retirement.
Examples
- Möchtest du zum Abschied eine kleine gemeinsame Runde?Would you like a small gathering together for your farewell?
- Eine kurze Pause mit dem Team würde mir gefallen.I would enjoy a brief break with the team.
- Sollen wir dazu eine längere Rede vorbereiten?Should we prepare a longer speech for it?
- Lieber nicht, mir ist ein lockeres Gespräch angenehmer.I would rather not; an informal conversation feels more comfortable to me.
- Dann gestalten wir den Abschied nach deinem Wunsch.Then we will organize the farewell according to your preference.
- Danke, so freue ich mich auf den Anlass.Thank you; that makes me look forward to the occasion.
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Watch out
“Danke, so freue ich mich über den Anlass.” → “Danke, so freue ich mich auf den Anlass.”: The farewell still lies ahead, so German uses “sich freuen auf” (look forward to). “Sich freuen über” means being happy about something that has already happened or is present.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: Would you like a small gathering together for your farewell?
Show answer or example answer
Möchtest du zum Abschied eine kleine gemeinsame Runde?
“Zum Abschied” (zu dem Abschied) names the occasion. “Eine kleine gemeinsame Runde” is accusative feminine with two adjectives, both ending in -e.
Put the words in order: dazu / eine / längere / Rede / Sollen / vorbereiten / wir
Show answer or example answer
Sollen wir dazu eine längere Rede vorbereiten?
“Sollen wir …?” offers to do something and asks for agreement. “Dazu” means “for that occasion”, and “vorbereiten” is the infinitive at the end.
Write this sentence in German: Thank you; that makes me look forward to the occasion.
Show answer or example answer
Danke, so freue ich mich auf den Anlass.
“Sich freuen auf” takes the accusative and points to the future: “auf den Anlass”. “So” at the start means “that way” and moves the verb “freue” into second place.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: Would you like a small gathering together for your farewell?
Möchtest du zum Abschied eine kleine gemeinsame Runde?
Put the words in order: dazu / eine / längere / Rede / Sollen / vorbereiten / wir
Sollen wir dazu eine längere Rede vorbereiten?
Write this sentence in German: Thank you; that makes me look forward to the occasion.
Danke, so freue ich mich auf den Anlass.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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A colleague leaves at the end of the month. Write a short message asking how they would like to say goodbye to the team and offering two simple options.