ich bin bei
The English phrase "I am with" is translated into German as ich bin bei.
The phrase ich bin bei can be used in informal settings to imply being present or hanging out with someone.
How does it change in a sentence?
The preposition bei always requires the dative case for the noun or pronoun that follows it. For example, in the phrase ich bin bei dir, the word dir is the dative form of du (you) because bei is a dative preposition.
Did you know?
- While ich bin bei means you are with a person, you cannot use it to say you are 'with' an object, such as saying 'I am with my umbrella'.
- If you are at a business, such as a doctor or a hairdresser, you use ich bin bei instead of saying you are 'at' the clinic.
- The German word bei can also be used to indicate a state of being, such as in bei guter Laune, meaning 'in a good mood'.
Examples in context
- Ich bin bei dir.I am with you.Tatoeba #1902448 by Eldad, translation #5087478 by CarpeLanam
- Ich begleite meinen Chef zur Geschäftsverhandlung.I am accompanying my boss to the business negotiation.
- Ich bin bei Lisa zu Hause.I am with Lisa at home.
- Ich bin zusammen mit meinen Freunden im Kino.I am with my friends at the cinema.
- Ich bin bei der Arbeit.I am at work.
- Ich bin bei meiner Tante.I am with my aunt.
Example conversation
Maximilian calls Laura to ask where she is.
- MaximilianWo bist du gerade, Laura?Where are you right now, Laura?
- LauraIch bin bei meiner Freundin.I am with my friend.
- MaximilianKommst du später nach Hause?Are you coming home later?
- LauraJa, ich komme bald.Yes, I'll come soon.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
