What does it mean word for word?
Literally, hast du schon gegessen? means "have you already eaten?" The word schon means "already" and is typically included in this question to imply whether the meal has already taken place.
Which one should you use?
The forms differ based on who you are addressing. hast du schon gegessen? and Hast du gegessen? are used for individuals in informal settings, while Haben Sie schon gegessen? and Haben Sie gegessen? are used for individuals in formal settings. If you are addressing a group of two or more people informally, use Habt ihr schon gegessen?
How does it change in a sentence?
When speaking to a single person formally, you must use Haben Sie schon gegessen? instead of the informal hast du schon gegessen? To address a group of two or more people informally, the verb changes to Habt ihr schon gegessen?
When do people say it?
In German-speaking cultures, asking if someone has eaten is a common way to show care or to transition into an invitation to eat together. If someone asks you this, a standard way to answer "yes" is Ja, ich habe schon gegessen, and a standard way to answer "no" is Nein, ich habe noch nicht gegessen.
Did you know?
- The word schon is a linguistic relative of the English word 'pretty', as both evolved from roots meaning 'beautifully' to mean 'quite' or 'already'.
- The word gegessen is the past participle of essen, which is a very old Germanic verb. While its roots are ancient, many modern German teenagers use more colloquial terms like verputzt or geballert to describe eating quickly or heartily in slang.
- Omitting the word schon and simply asking Hast du gegessen? can make the question sound like a blunt interrogation rather than a caring gesture.
Examples in context
- Ja, ich habe gegessenYes, I have eaten
- Nein, ich habe noch nicht gegessenNo, I haven't eaten yet
- Ja, ich habe schon zu Abend gegessen. Danke der Nachfrage.Yes, I have already had dinner. Thanks for asking.
- Nein, ich habe noch nicht gegessen. Hast du schon gegessen?No, I haven't eaten yet. Have you eaten already?
Example conversation
Julia and Julian are talking in the office during lunch break.
- JuliaHallo Julian, hast du schon gegessen?Hello Julian, have you eaten already?
- JulianNein, noch nicht. Und du?No, not yet. And you?
- JuliaIch auch noch nicht. Wollen wir etwas zusammen holen?Me neither. Do you want to go get something together?
- JulianJa, das ist eine gute Idee.Yes, that is a good idea.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries du, schon, CC BY-SA 4.0.
