Bescheid sagen
To let know
Littéralement: To say notice / To say information
Use this phrase whenever you need a 'heads-up' or a confirmation about a plan.
En 15 secondes
- Used to ask for an update or a final decision.
- Requires the dative case for the person being informed.
- Essential for making plans and ensuring German-style punctuality.
Signification
This phrase is your go-to way of saying 'let me know' or 'give me a heads-up.' It is used when you want someone to provide an update or confirm a plan.
Exemples clés
3 sur 6Texting a friend about dinner
Sag mir bitte Bescheid, ob du heute Abend kommst.
Please let me know if you are coming tonight.
Finishing a task at work
Ich sage Ihnen Bescheid, sobald das Projekt fertig ist.
I will let you know as soon as the project is finished.
Checking if someone is ready
Sag einfach Bescheid, wenn wir losgehen können.
Just let me know when we can head out.
Contexte culturel
The word 'Bescheid' originally referred to a formal written notification or a judicial decision. In modern Germany, the phrase has evolved into an essential social contract for punctuality and reliability. It is the polite way to ensure no one is left waiting at a train station or a cafe.
Sagen vs. Geben
You can use 'Bescheid geben' and 'Bescheid sagen' interchangeably. 'Geben' sounds a tiny bit more formal, but in 99% of cases, nobody will notice the difference.
Don't forget the Dative!
Always remember that the person you are telling must be in the dative case. It's 'Sag MIR Bescheid,' never 'Sag MICH Bescheid.'
En 15 secondes
- Used to ask for an update or a final decision.
- Requires the dative case for the person being informed.
- Essential for making plans and ensuring German-style punctuality.
What It Means
Bescheid sagen is the ultimate German tool for keeping everyone in the loop. It is not about telling a long story. It is about providing a specific piece of information or a decision. Think of it as 'closing the loop' on a conversation. When you ask someone to Bescheid sagen, you are asking for a final 'yes' or 'no.' It is practical, direct, and very common.
How To Use It
You usually need a person in the dative case. For example, Sag mir Bescheid means 'Let me know.' You can also use it with ob (if) or wann (when) clauses. If you are waiting for a friend to finish work, you might say: Sag mir Bescheid, wenn du fertig bist. It is a separable-style construction where Bescheid stays put and sagen conjugates. Simple and effective.
When To Use It
Use it constantly in daily life. Use it when you are waiting for an RSVP for your birthday party. Use it at work when you finish a report. Use it when texting a friend to see if they are coming to the bar. It is perfect for any situation involving logistics. If there is a plan, someone needs to Bescheid sagen to make it official.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use this for deep, emotional heart-to-hearts. It is too functional for that. If you are sharing a secret, use erzählen. Also, do not use it for official announcements to a crowd. That would be bekannt geben. This phrase is for personal or professional updates between specific people. It is about the 'info,' not the 'emotion.'
Cultural Background
Germans love clarity and planning. Bescheid sagen is the verbal oil that keeps the machine of German punctuality running. The word Bescheid actually comes from old legal contexts. It used to refer to an official decision or notification. Today, it is much more casual. However, it still carries that sense of 'making things clear.' It reflects the cultural value of being reliable and keeping others informed.
Common Variations
You will often hear Bescheid geben instead of Bescheid sagen. They are 99% interchangeable. Bescheid geben feels a tiny bit more active, like 'handing over' the info. You might also hear Ich weiß Bescheid, which means 'I am in the loop' or 'I already know.' If you are really in the dark, you can say Ich habe keinen Bescheid bekommen.
Notes d'usage
This phrase is neutral and can be used in almost any context. The most important thing to remember is the dative case for the person being informed.
Sagen vs. Geben
You can use 'Bescheid geben' and 'Bescheid sagen' interchangeably. 'Geben' sounds a tiny bit more formal, but in 99% of cases, nobody will notice the difference.
Don't forget the Dative!
Always remember that the person you are telling must be in the dative case. It's 'Sag MIR Bescheid,' never 'Sag MICH Bescheid.'
The 'Bescheid' Secret
If someone says 'Ich weiß Bescheid' with a slight wink, it often means 'I know what's really going on' or 'I've got the inside scoop.'
Exemples
6Sag mir bitte Bescheid, ob du heute Abend kommst.
Please let me know if you are coming tonight.
A very common way to ask for a confirmation via text.
Ich sage Ihnen Bescheid, sobald das Projekt fertig ist.
I will let you know as soon as the project is finished.
Using 'Ihnen' makes this professional and polite.
Sag einfach Bescheid, wenn wir losgehen können.
Just let me know when we can head out.
Casual and helpful for group settings.
Sag Bescheid, falls du in der Küche Hilfe brauchst, bevor alles brennt!
Let me know if you need help in the kitchen before everything burns!
A lighthearted way to offer help.
Wenn du reden willst, sag mir einfach Bescheid.
If you want to talk, just let me know.
Shows availability without being pushy.
Können Sie mir Bescheid sagen, falls der Termin verschoben wird?
Could you let me know if the appointment is postponed?
Standard polite request for information.
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct dative pronoun to say 'Let me know.'
Kannst du ___ bitte Bescheid sagen?
The phrase 'Bescheid sagen' always takes the dative case for the person you are informing.
Choose the correct verb to complete the phrase.
Ich muss meinem Chef noch ___, dass ich morgen später komme.
To 'let someone know' specifically about a fact or update, 'Bescheid sagen' is the correct choice.
🎉 Score : /2
Aides visuelles
Formality of 'Bescheid sagen'
Used with friends and family.
Sag mir Bescheid!
Standard for colleagues and acquaintances.
Ich sage Ihnen Bescheid.
Still acceptable, but 'informieren' is more precise.
Wir werden Ihnen Bescheid sagen.
When to use 'Bescheid sagen'
RSVPing to a party
Sag mir Bescheid, ob du kommst.
Work updates
Ich sage Bescheid, wenn ich fertig bin.
Checking readiness
Bist du bereit? Sag Bescheid!
Health updates
Sag Bescheid, wenn es dir besser geht.
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsOn its own, 'Bescheid' means a notification, information, or an official decision. In the phrase, it acts as the 'thing' you are communicating.
Yes, absolutely! It is perfectly neutral. Just make sure to use the formal 'Ihnen' (e.g., 'Ich sage Ihnen Bescheid').
Neither is 'better.' They are like 'let me know' and 'give me word.' Both are used constantly by native speakers.
You say 'Ich weiß Bescheid.' It's a very common way to tell someone they don't need to explain further.
Not really. For a public announcement, use 'bekannt geben.' 'Bescheid sagen' is for individual or small group updates.
Yes! You can say 'Sag mir immer Bescheid' or 'Halt mich auf dem Laufenden' for a more continuous 'keep me posted' feel.
To a friend, it's fine. To a stranger, it's a bit too direct. Adding 'bitte' (Sag mir bitte Bescheid) makes it much softer.
Using the accusative case. Many learners say 'Sag mich Bescheid,' but it must be dative 'mir.'
Yes. 'Er hat mir Bescheid gesagt' (He let me know). It follows the standard rules for the verb 'sagen.'
Not really a slang version, but in very casual speech, people might shorten it to just 'Sag an!' which is more like 'Speak up!'
Expressions liées
Bescheid geben
To let know (interchangeable with Bescheid sagen)
Bescheid wissen
To be in the know / To be informed
Jemanden informieren
To inform someone (more formal)
Auf dem Laufenden halten
To keep someone posted
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