B1Monologue3 Min.

Why "I Will Become Your Reply" Does Not Mean "Ich bekomme Ihre Antwort"

An email promises the customer to turn into a reply. Why German "bekommen" is not "become" — and how to phrase clean follow-up emails.

SceneJens reviews his team's English emails and finds a sentence that made a British customer smile: "I will become your reply tomorrow."

0:00 / 3 Min.

Tip: listen to the episode twice before you start the test. · Worksheet (PDF)

✓ To the comprehension test

Jens — Customer service team lead, software company

Listen first, then answer. No penalties — every explanation points to the moment in the conversation.

01What is this episode about?

02How does the customer in Leeds react to the mistake?

03In English, "to become" means to change into something.

04Jens says "I will get your reply tomorrow" is wrong in English.

05Which word is missing?

I look forward to ___ your reply.

06Which word is missing?

She became head of ___ in January.

07Put the events of the email story in the correct order.

Transcript

The full transcript opens after the comprehension test — so you train real listening instead of reading along.

German support

JensHello and welcome to the Simmonds Business English Podcast. My name is Jens, I lead a customer service team, and today I want to read you one sentence from a real email — a sentence that made a British customer laugh out loud.

JensHere is the background. A customer in Leeds had asked for an updated licence offer. My colleague Tobias wanted to close his email politely, with: „Ich bekomme Ihre Antwort dann morgen." The rest of the email was careful, polite and completely correct — the offer, the prices, the friendly opening.

JensSo Tobias wrote: "I will become your reply tomorrow." The customer answered within five minutes: "That sounds painful. I hope the transformation goes well!"„Das klingt schmerzhaft. Ich hoffe, die Verwandlung gelingt!"

JensWhy is this funny? In English, "to become" means "werden" — to change into something. Tobias had promised, in writing, to physically turn into an email reply by the next morning.„To become" heißt „werden" – sich in etwas verwandeln.

JensThe German verb „bekommen" means "to get" or "to receive". The correct sentence is simple: "I will get your reply tomorrow." Or, more formal and better for business emails: "I look forward to receiving your reply."„Bekommen" = „to get" / „to receive".

JensThis false friend loves emails, because „bekommen" is everywhere in German business language. Wir bekommen die Unterlagen — we receive the documents. Sie bekommen ein Angebot — you will receive an offer. Never "become". You hear it in meetings too: "Did you become my message?" No — "Did you get my message?"

JensAnd when do you really use "become"? When something changes: "She became head of sales in January." Or: "The process has become much faster." Change, development, transformation — that is "become".Veränderung und Entwicklung – dafür steht „become".

JensBy the way, Tobias recovered with style. He replied: "Apologies — no transformation planned. I meant: I look forward to receiving your reply tomorrow." The customer wrote back: "Best email of my week. The offer is approved." The mistake cost nothing, because the correction was fast, honest and friendly.Entschuldigung – keine Verwandlung geplant.

JensSo here is the rule for your next email: „bekommen" is "to get" or "to receive", and "become" means "werden". If your sentence promises a transformation, read it twice. Thanks for listening — and see you in the next episode.

Key phrases

to receive

to get something — the formal word for "bekommen"

We will receive the signed contract on Friday.

to get

to receive — the everyday word for "bekommen"

Did you get my email from yesterday?

to become

to change into something — never "bekommen"

She became project manager last year.

an answer to an email or message

Thank you for your quick reply.

I look forward to receiving …

formal closing phrase before something arrives

I look forward to receiving your feedback.

licence offer

a priced offer for software licences

The updated licence offer includes ten additional users.

apologies

a short written way to say sorry

Apologies — the attachment was missing. Here it is.

approved

officially accepted

The budget was approved this morning.

Language notes

In this episode a follow-up email accidentally promises the customer a transformation: "I will become your reply tomorrow." You learn the false friend "bekommen/become", the correct verbs "to get" and "to receive", and the formal closing "I look forward to receiving …" (level B1).

False friend: bekommen ≠ become

"To become" means "werden" — to change into something or take on a new role: "She became head of sales." German "bekommen" translates as "to get" (informal) or "to receive" (formal). The mistake is treacherous because "bekommen" is everywhere in German business emails: receiving documents, receiving an offer, receiving a reply — in English always "receive" or "get", never "become".

The clean follow-up closing

When you are waiting for something, close formally with "I look forward to receiving your reply" — after "look forward to", always use the -ing form. More informal: "I will get your reply tomorrow" or simply "Speak soon". The perspective matters: the English standard expresses anticipation ("I look forward to …"), not a dry statement of receipt.

Made the mistake? Correct it with charm

Tobias's recovery is a masterclass: a short apology ("Apologies"), a wink ("no transformation planned") and the corrected version in the same sentence. British business partners reward self-irony — the language slip became the "best email of my week" and an approved offer. Correcting mistakes lightly looks more confident than never admitting any.

Keep practising: Learn business English online — with real teachers from Simmonds, since 2004.

Frequently asked questions

What language level is this episode for?

Level B1 (CEFR). The monologue uses clear everyday business English; the vocabulary list explains all eight key phrases bilingually.

How do you say "bekommen" in English?

"To get" (informal) or "to receive" (formal). Never "to become" — that means "werden". „Ich bekomme Ihre Antwort morgen" = "I will get / receive your reply tomorrow."

How do I close an email while waiting for a reply?

Formally: "I look forward to receiving your reply." After "look forward to", always use the -ing form. More informal: "Looking forward to your reply" or "Speak soon".

Is there a transcript to read along?

Yes, the full transcript with German support notes is on this page — listen first, then take the test, then read along.

Where can I practise English business emails live?

In the online business English courses from Simmonds Language Services (englisch-lehrer.com/online): live lessons with real teachers on Zoom, for companies and individuals across Germany. It starts with a free consultation.

Want to practise these phrases in a real conversation?

The podcast trains your ear — in our online lessons you practise the conversation yourself, with real teachers. For companies across Germany since 2004.

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