du bist dran
The German phrase for "your turn" is du bist dran.
This phrase is used to tell someone that it is now their time to act or play in a sequence. For a more descriptive or formal way to express being in one's turn or being next in line, you can use the expression an der Reihe sein.
What does it mean word for word?
Literally, du bist dran translates to "you are at it" or "you are on it". The word dran is a colloquial shortening of the word daran.
Which one should you use?
While du bist dran is a common way to say it is someone's turn, its counterpart ich bin dran is used to state that it is your own turn.
How does it change in a sentence?
When addressing a group of people informally, use ihr seid dran. If you are addressing someone formally, you should use Sie sind dran instead of du bist dran.
Did you know?
- The pronoun du was historically used in English as 'thou' to indicate intimacy or lower social status, mirroring the German distinction between du and Sie.
- While du bist dran is used for games, the phrase an der Reihe sein is often used in bureaucratic contexts like waiting at a government office.
- In some competitive German gaming circles, players might simply say dran! to signal a turn without using a full sentence.
Examples in context
- Du bist dran mit reden.It's your turn to say something now.This sentence shows how to use the phrase when it is someone's turn to speak.Tatoeba #10565072 by Yorwba, translation #10558957 by sundown
- Nun denn – du bist dran!Now then, your turn.This sentence demonstrates a casual way to announce a turn.Tatoeba #11148572 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #8895460 by Hybrid
- Aufwachen, Tom! Du bist dran.Wake up, Tom! It's your turn!This sentence shows the phrase used as a command to wake someone up because it is their turn.Tatoeba #5856648 by brauchinet, translation #5856510 by JohnKnaphus
- Es ist an Ihnen, den Bericht zu präsentieren.It is your turn to present the report.
- Sie sind an der Reihe, Ihre Meinung zu äußern.You are up to share your opinion.
- Bitte, nach Ihnen, Frau Müller.Please, after you, Mrs. Müller.
- Hey, du bist dran, das Spiel zu beginnen.Hey, it's your turn to start the game.
- Nun, du bist an der Reihe, uns von deinem Urlaub zu erzählen.Well, it's your turn to tell us about your vacation.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Hannah and Maximilian are playing a board game.
- HannahIch bin fertig. Jetzt bist du dran, Maximilian!I am finished. Now it is your turn, Maximilian!
- MaximilianOh, okay. Wo ist der Würfel?Oh, okay. Where is the die?
- HannahHier liegt er. Du bist dran!Here it is. Your turn!
- MaximilianAlles klar, ich würfle jetzt.All right, I'm rolling now.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
