En 15 segundos
- Refers to a previously mentioned point in time.
- Functions as 'until then' or 'by that time'.
- Essential for making plans and setting deadlines.
Significado
It is a simple way to say 'until that time' or 'until then.' You use it to refer back to a specific moment or deadline you just mentioned.
Ejemplos clave
3 de 6Ending a business call
Wir treffen uns am Dienstag. Bis dahin!
We are meeting on Tuesday. Until then!
Texting a friend about a party
Die Party ist um acht. Bis dahin muss ich noch aufräumen.
The party is at eight. Until then, I still have to clean up.
Waiting for food at a restaurant
Das Essen kommt in 20 Minuten. Trinken wir bis dahin ein Bier?
The food is coming in 20 minutes. Shall we drink a beer until then?
Contexto cultural
The concept of 'Termintreue' (loyalty to appointments) makes 'bis dahin' a vital phrase in professional life. Missing a 'bis dahin' deadline without notice is seen as very disrespectful. Swiss punctuality is even more legendary. 'Bis dahin' often implies 'exactly until that minute', not just 'around that time'. In Austria, while still punctual, the phrase might be used in a slightly more relaxed social context, often followed by 'schauen wir mal' (let's see). In German tech startups, 'bis dahin' is often replaced by the English 'until then' or 'deadline', but 'bis dahin' remains the anchor for clear communication in Slack channels.
The 'Da' Rule
Remember that 'da' points to something already mentioned. If you haven't mentioned a time, you can't use 'bis dahin'.
Not for Goodbyes
Avoid saying 'Bis dahin!' when leaving a party unless you just agreed on a specific meeting time for later.
En 15 segundos
- Refers to a previously mentioned point in time.
- Functions as 'until then' or 'by that time'.
- Essential for making plans and setting deadlines.
What It Means
Bis dahin is your linguistic bridge. It connects the present moment to a specific point in the future. Think of it as a placeholder for a time you've already discussed. If you say you're meeting on Friday, bis dahin covers everything happening between now and Friday. It is functional, clean, and very common.
How To Use It
You usually place it at the beginning or the very end of a sentence. It needs a 'time anchor' to work. You can't just walk up to someone and say bis dahin without a previous context. It acts like a bookmark in a conversation. It tells the listener, 'Keep this future appointment in mind.'
When To Use It
Use it when ending a phone call after making plans. Use it in emails to confirm a deadline. It is perfect for professional settings when you expect a task to be done. It also works great in casual texts. If you are waiting for a pizza delivery at 8 PM, you might say, 'I'll just watch TV bis dahin.'
When NOT To Use It
Do not use bis dahin for physical locations. If you are walking to a park, you use bis dorthin, not dahin. Also, avoid using it if no specific time has been mentioned yet. It sounds confusing if the 'then' isn't defined. Don't use it for very vague, distant futures like 'until the end of time' in a romantic sense; that's too poetic for this practical phrase.
Cultural Background
Germans are famous for their love of planning and punctuality. Bis dahin is the verbal glue that holds these plans together. It provides a sense of closure to a scheduling discussion. It signals that the 'when' is settled and we are now moving on. It reflects a culture that values clear boundaries and timelines.
Common Variations
You will often hear bis dann, which is slightly more casual. There is also bis gleich for 'see you in a few minutes.' If you want to be very precise, you might say bis zu diesem Zeitpunkt. However, bis dahin remains the gold standard for daily life. It is short, punchy, and everyone understands it immediately.
Notas de uso
The phrase is highly versatile and fits into both formal and informal registers. Just ensure the time reference is clear to avoid ambiguity.
The 'Da' Rule
Remember that 'da' points to something already mentioned. If you haven't mentioned a time, you can't use 'bis dahin'.
Not for Goodbyes
Avoid saying 'Bis dahin!' when leaving a party unless you just agreed on a specific meeting time for later.
Email Professionalism
Use 'bis dahin' in emails to confirm deadlines. It makes you sound organized and fluent.
Punctuality
In Germany, 'bis dahin' is a promise. If you say you'll be done 'bis dahin', people will expect it exactly then.
Ejemplos
6Wir treffen uns am Dienstag. Bis dahin!
We are meeting on Tuesday. Until then!
A professional way to sign off after setting a date.
Die Party ist um acht. Bis dahin muss ich noch aufräumen.
The party is at eight. Until then, I still have to clean up.
Refers to the time remaining before the event.
Das Essen kommt in 20 Minuten. Trinken wir bis dahin ein Bier?
The food is coming in 20 minutes. Shall we drink a beer until then?
Using the phrase to fill a waiting period.
Der Bus kommt erst in zwei Stunden. Bis dahin bin ich wahrscheinlich erfroren.
The bus isn't coming for two hours. By then, I'll probably have frozen to death.
Hyperbole used for comedic effect regarding a delay.
Wir gehen am Samstag in den Zoo. Bis dahin musst du brav sein!
We're going to the zoo on Saturday. Until then, you have to be good!
Setting a behavioral condition for a future reward.
Ich komme im Sommer zurück. Bitte vergiss mich bis dahin nicht.
I'll be back in the summer. Please don't forget me until then.
Expressing hope during a period of separation.
Ponte a prueba
Fill in the blank with the correct phrase.
Das {das|n} {Konzert|n} beginnt um 20 Uhr. Was machen wir ______?
We are looking for a phrase that means 'until the concert starts'.
Which sentence is correct for a deadline?
I have to finish the report by Friday.
'Bis dahin' is the standard phrase for deadlines referring to a previously mentioned time.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Ich hole dich um 19 Uhr ab. B: Okay, ich ______ bis dahin ______.
All options are grammatically possible, but 'bin fertig' (I'll be ready) is the most natural response to being picked up.
Match the situation to the sentence.
Situation: You are waiting for a friend who is 20 minutes late.
'Bis dahin' describes what you do while waiting.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Ayudas visuales
Banco de ejercicios
4 ejerciciosDas {das|n} {Konzert|n} beginnt um 20 Uhr. Was machen wir ______?
We are looking for a phrase that means 'until the concert starts'.
I have to finish the report by Friday.
'Bis dahin' is the standard phrase for deadlines referring to a previously mentioned time.
A: Ich hole dich um 19 Uhr ab. B: Okay, ich ______ bis dahin ______.
All options are grammatically possible, but 'bin fertig' (I'll be ready) is the most natural response to being picked up.
Situation: You are waiting for a friend who is 20 minutes late.
'Bis dahin' describes what you do while waiting.
🎉 Puntuación: /4
Preguntas frecuentes
10 preguntasYes, but 'bis dorthin' is more common for physical locations. 'Bis dahin' is 90% temporal in modern German.
'Bis dann' is a goodbye ('See you then'). 'Bis dahin' is a temporal marker ('By that time').
It is neutral. You can use it with your boss or your best friend.
It doesn't change because 'dahin' is an adverb, not a noun.
No, that is grammatically incorrect. Just use 'bis dahin'.
Use 'bis jetzt' or 'bisher'. 'Bis dahin' always refers to a specific point in the past or future mentioned in the conversation.
Yes! 'Bis dahin müssen wir warten.' Just remember the verb comes second.
Not really, but 'bis dahin' is so short that it's used even in very casual slang.
Then use 'bis auf Weiteres' (until further notice).
Yes. 'Er kam um 10. Bis dahin hatte ich schon drei {der|m} {Kaffees|m} getrunken.'
Frases relacionadas
bis dann
similarSee you then
bis dato
specialized formTo date / until now
bis auf Weiteres
similarUntil further notice
bis zuletzt
similarUntil the very end
bis dorthin
specialized formUntil that place
