in Kontakt bleiben
/ʔɪn kɔnˈtakt ˈblaɪ̯bən/word by word
To keep in touch in German is in Kontakt bleiben.
This phrase is used to describe the act of continuing to communicate with someone after a change in circumstances or a period of time has passed.
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase is composed of the preposition in (in), the noun Kontakt (contact) and the verb bleiben (to stay or remain).
Which one should you use?
While in Kontakt bleiben is the standard way to express this, you can also use Kontakt halten as a slightly more concise alternative that carries the same meaning.
How does it change in a sentence?
Because bleiben is a full verb, it follows standard German word order rules, such as moving to the end of a subordinate clause.
How do you pronounce it?
/ʔɪn kɔnˈtakt ˈblaɪ̯bən/
Did you know?
- The German word bleiben in in Kontakt bleiben is a distant relative of the obsolete English word 'belive', which meant 'to remain' or 'to stay'.
- While in Kontakt bleiben refers to the general state of communicating, Germans use the verb sich melden to tell someone to actually reach out or 'get in touch'.
- In professional German contexts, in Kontakt bleiben is often replaced by the more formal in Verbindung bleiben, which literally means 'to stay in connection'.
Examples in context
- Lass uns in Kontakt bleiben.Keep in touch.This is useful for telling someone to keep in touch.Tatoeba #3928570 by pne, translation #320383 by CK
- Wir sollten in Kontakt bleiben.We should keep in touch.This is useful for saying that you should keep in touch.Tatoeba #2220221 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2217649 by Hybrid
- Sie sollten in Kontakt bleiben mit Herrn Smith.You should keep in touch with Mr Smith.Tatoeba #1810064 by Tamy, translation #70307 by sundown
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Lukas and Laura are saying goodbye at the end of a summer course.
- LukasEs war toll, dich hier kennenzulernen, Laura.It was great meeting you here, Laura.
- LauraJa, mir hat es auch sehr gefallen, Lukas.Yes, I really enjoyed it too, Lukas.
- LukasWollen wir unbedingt in Kontakt bleiben?Shall we definitely keep in touch?
- LauraKlar, ich schreibe dir bald eine Nachricht.Sure, I will write you a message soon.
Sources
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (in, Kontakt, bleiben) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Kontakt, bleiben, in, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
