Translation of German word "bereits" to English
bereits
/bəˈʁaɪts/
Meaning
VerbPrior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously.
How to use
The temporal adverb bereits ('already') is a more formal and written synonym of schon. Note: the source metadata mistakenly lists this as a verb, which is a major error; it is an adverb.
🇬🇧 English
already
Example
Ich war überrascht, dass sie mir die Neuigkeiten nicht bereits erzählt hatte.
I was surprised she hadn't already told me the news.
Vieles von dem, was er sagte, wusste ich bereits.
I already knew a lot of what he said.
Your personal vocabulary
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Common phrases
- bereits im Alter von— already at the age of
- wie bereits erwähnt— as already mentioned
- bereits fertig sein— to be already finished / ready
This concept in other languages
📖 Related grammar
Frequency rank: #149 in German
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of the German word "bereits"?▼
The German word "bereits" is defined as: "Prior to some specified time, either past, present, or future; by this time; previously."
What does the German word "bereits" mean?▼
The German word "bereits" means "already" in English.
How do you pronounce the German word "bereits"?▼
You can hear the correct audio pronunciation of the word "bereits" by clicking the play button next to the word at the top of this page.
Can I see an example sentence with "bereits"?▼
Yes, here is a practical example: "Ich habe bereits gefrühstückt." (which translates as "I was surprised she hadn't already told me the news.").
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