Here is a helpful guide to essential business meeting vocabulary and phrases, complete with meanings and practical examples.

Opening the Meeting

• Phrase: „Let’s get started.”
• Meaning: Begin the meeting.
• Example: „Since everyone is here, let’s get started.”
• Phrase: „The main purpose of today’s meeting is to…”
• Meaning: State the goal of the gathering.
• Example: „The main purpose of today’s meeting is to review our Q3 sales.”

Sharing Opinions and Suggestions

• Phrase: „From my perspective…”
• Meaning: Share your personal view.
• Example: „From my perspective, we should focus on existing clients.”
• Phrase: „I’d like to suggest that…”
• Meaning: Offer a new idea.
• Example: „I’d like to suggest that we extend the project deadline.”
  alternative more polite version: I wonder if I could/might suggest that…

Asking for Input

• Phrase: „What are your thoughts on this?”
• Meaning: Ask other people for their opinion.
• Example: „We need a new marketing plan. What are your thoughts on this?”
• Phrase: „Could you walk us through…?”
• Meaning: Ask someone to explain a topic step by step.
• Example: „Could you walk us through the new budget proposal?”

Agreeing and Disagreeing

• Phrase: „I see your point.”
• Meaning: Show you understand another person’s idea.
• Example: „I see your point, but the cost is too high.”
• Phrase: „I completely agree with that.”
• Meaning: Say you have the same opinion.
• Example: „I completely agree with that strategy.”

Moving On and Managing Time

• Phrase: „Let’s move on to the next item.”
• Meaning: Change the topic to the next part of the agenda.
• Example: „We are short on time, so let’s move on to the next item.”
• Phrase: „Let’s get back on track.”
• Meaning: Return to the main agenda when the talk goes off-topic.
• Example: „That is interesting, but let’s get back on track.”

Closing the Meeting

• Phrase: „To sum up…”
• Meaning: Give a short review of the main points.
• Example: „To sum up, we agreed to launch the product on Friday.”
• Phrase: „Let’s adjourn the meeting.”
• Meaning: Formally end the meeting.
• Example: „If there are no more questions, let’s adjourn the meeting.”