Clarify the scope of an instruction in German

The idea

“Zur Klarstellung” (for clarification) works as a lead-in before a colon; after the colon comes a normal main clause, usually capitalised. “Betreffen” takes a direct accusative object (den Freitag), with no preposition. “Gelten für + accusative” states what a rule applies to; “weiterhin” means still, as before. “Eingrenzung” is the noun for narrowing down the scope.

Other ways to say it

“Damit es keine Missverständnisse gibt: Es geht nur um den Freitag.” – Neutral to formal; names the purpose of the clarification.

“Also nur damit das klar ist: Nur der Freitag ändert sich.” – Casual and a bit firm; can sound impatient in a sharp tone.

“Ich möchte klarstellen, dass nur der Freitag betroffen ist.” – Formal; suits emails to a larger group.

Examples

• Nur zur Klarstellung: Diese Änderung betrifft den Freitag.Just to be clear: this change concerns Friday.
• Die übrigen Tage bleiben also gleich?So the other days remain the same?
• Genau, für Montag gilt weiterhin der alte Plan.Exactly; the old plan still applies on Monday.
• Dann ändere ich nur den betreffenden Eintrag.Then I will change only the relevant entry.
• So war meine Nachricht tatsächlich gemeint.That was indeed what I meant by my message.
• Danke für die klare Eingrenzung.Thank you for clearly defining the scope.

Watch out

“Um klar zu sein: Diese Änderung betrifft den Freitag.” → “Nur zur Klarstellung: Diese Änderung betrifft den Freitag.”: “To be clear” copied with “um klar zu sein” sounds as if you want to become transparent. German uses the noun phrase “zur Klarstellung” or “damit es klar ist”.

Try it yourself

1. Translate into German: Just to be clear: this change concerns Friday.

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   Nur zur Klarstellung: Diese Änderung betrifft den Freitag.

   After the colon, “Diese Änderung” is the subject and “betrifft” the verb. “Den Freitag” is the accusative object; betreffen needs no preposition.

2. Put the words in order: alte / der / für / Genau / gilt / Montag / Plan / weiterhin

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   Genau, für Montag gilt weiterhin der alte Plan.

   “Für Montag” opens the clause, so “gilt” comes before the subject “der alte Plan”. “Weiterhin” means the plan remains as before.

3. Write this sentence in German: Thank you for clearly defining the scope.

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   Danke für die klare Eingrenzung.

   A thank-you without a verb: “Danke für + accusative”. “Die klare Eingrenzung” has the weak ending -e after die and names the narrowing of scope.

Use it today

You told your team that the office closes early this week. Write a one-line clarification that it applies only to Wednesday.