schon
/ʃoːn/
The English word 'already' can be translated into German as schon or bereits.
Meaning: prior to some time (adv)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| schon | /ʃoːn/ (standard) /ʃɔn/ |
| bereits | /beˈʁaɛ̯ts/ |
Both schon and bereits are adverbs used to indicate that something has happened prior to a certain time.
Which one should you use?
schon is the common, everyday way to say 'already', whereas bereits is a more formal synonym.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʃoːn/
Did you know?
- The common word for 'already', schon, actually comes from an old word meaning 'beautifully'.
- In spoken German, schon is frequently used as a filler word, known as a 'modal particle', to express concession or irony without changing the sentence's basic meaning.
- If you use schon too much in certain contexts, you might accidentally sound like you are emphasizing a statement's truth rather than its timing, similar to saying 'surely' in English.
Examples in context
- Er ist schon weg.He's already left.This sentence is useful for saying that someone has already left using schon.Tatoeba #1314850 by al_ex_an_der, translation #293066 by CK
- Tom ist schon da.Tom is already there.This sentence is useful for saying that Tom is already there using schon.Tatoeba #2133468 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1868231 by CK
- Ich bin schon da.I'm already there.This sentence is useful for saying that you are already there using schon.Tatoeba #6198941 by Espereto, translation #6198944 by Espereto
- Wir haben den Bericht schon fertiggestellt.We have already finished the report.
- Ich habe schon eine Einladung erhalten.I have already received an invitation.
- Die Präsentation ist schon geplant.The presentation is already scheduled.
- Er hat bereits sein Diplom erhalten.He has already received his diploma.
- Wir sind bereits gestartet.We have already started.
- Bereits am Anfang des Meetings wurde das Problem besprochen.The problem was already discussed at the beginning of the meeting.
- Ich habe schon gegessen.I have already eaten.
- Ich habe das Buch schon gelesen.I have already read the book.
- Der Bus ist schon wieder zu spät.The bus is already late again.
- Es regnet schon wieder.It's already raining again.
- Ich warte schon lange auf dich!I have been waiting for you for quite some time already!
- Das ist schon lange her.That happened a long time ago already.
- 2886 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Maximilian are meeting for lunch.
- SarahHast du schon bestellt?Have you already ordered?
- MaximilianNein, ich warte noch auf dich.No, I am still waiting for you.
- SarahIch bin schon fertig mit dem Lesen.I am already finished reading.
- MaximilianDann können wir jetzt wählen.Then we can choose now.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “already” translations and entries schon, bereits, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bereits, schon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
