Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen
The English phrase 'something came up' can be translated into German as Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen.
Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen is a common, polite way to cancel an appointment or explain an absence without providing specific, potentially awkward details. It is used specifically when an event interferes with a prior plan.
What does it mean word for word?
The word dazwischengekommen literally means 'to come between' (something or someone).
Which one should you use?
While the phrase etwas ist passiert means 'something happened', Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen specifically implies that the event interfered with a prior plan.
How does it change in a sentence?
This phrase uses the dative pronoun Mir (to me) because the event is something that 'happened to' the speaker, interrupting their plans. Additionally, the phrase uses the auxiliary verb sein (ist) rather than haben because it describes a change of state or an occurrence.
Did you know?
- In many High German dialects and in Yiddish, mir can mean 'we' instead of 'me', which stems from an old contraction of the phrase bitten wir.
- The structure of the phrase is so common that it can sometimes sound like a 'cliché' of someone making an excuse, even if the reason is genuine.
- Replacing Mir with Ihm or Ihr allows a speaker to explain that 'something came up' for someone else, shifting the 'blame' for the cancellation.
Examples in context
- Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen.Something came up.Tatoeba #6555202 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3089470 by Hybrid
- Entschuldige, dass ich gestern nicht kommen konnte! Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen.Sorry I couldn't come over yesterday. Something came up.Tatoeba #2658808 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #2064975 by CK
- Oh, das klingt toll! Ich komme leider nicht. Da hat sich was ergeben. Aber viel Spaß!Oh, that sounds great! I unfortunately can't make it. Something came up. But have fun!
- Mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen, deshalb bin ich zu spät.Something came up, so I am late.
Example conversation
Felix is apologizing to Hannah for missing their coffee date.
- FelixEs tut mir leid, Hannah, mir ist etwas dazwischengekommen.I am sorry, Hannah, something came up.
- HannahDas ist kein Problem, Felix.That is no problem, Felix.
- FelixSollen wir uns morgen treffen?Should we meet tomorrow?
- HannahJa, das passt mir gut.Yes, that suits me well.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries etwas, mir, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
