Do You Speak ‘Denglish’? Here’s Why It Happens and How to Fix It

Have you ever said, “I suggest we discuss about this topic” in an English meeting?

If so, you’ve experienced ‘Denglish’—when German sentence structures sneak into English conversations. (It’s like wearing a stylish English suit but standing in a distinctly German pose.)

Why does this happen?

It’s all about brain overload. When you speak English under pressure, your brain juggles ideas, translations and grammar checks all at once.

Naturally, it falls back on German patterns like:

• Preposition Mix-Ups: “I think about over the solution” instead of “I’m thinking about the solution.”
• False Friends: Using “become” instead of “get” (from “bekommen”).
• German Word Order: “I have yesterday met my colleague” instead of “I met my colleague yesterday.”

What’s the fix?

Stop translating and start thinking in English patterns. Learn chunks like “Let’s discuss this next week” or “I suggest…” and practise using them naturally.

Want to break free from ‘Denglish’? Let’s work together to make your English as sharp as your expertise.