In 15 Seconds
- Used when guests are coming to your home.
- Always uses the singular 'Besuch' for any number of guests.
- Perfect for declining invitations or explaining why you're busy.
Meaning
This phrase is used when you have people coming over to your home. It implies you are prepared for or currently waiting for guests to arrive.
Key Examples
3 of 6Cleaning the living room
Ich muss schnell aufräumen, ich erwarte heute Besuch.
I have to clean up quickly, I'm expecting visitors today.
Declining a last-minute invite
Ich kann leider nicht kommen, wir erwarten heute Abend Besuch.
Unfortunately I can't come, we are expecting visitors this evening.
In a professional setting
Ich muss pünktlich gehen, da ich noch Besuch erwarte.
I have to leave on time because I'm still expecting visitors.
Cultural Background
The 'Kaffee und Kuchen' tradition is the primary context for afternoon 'Besuch'. It is almost mandatory to offer something sweet. In Austria, 'Besuch' might be greeted with a 'Jause' (a savory snack plate) if the visit is in the late afternoon or evening. Punctuality is even more strictly observed. 'Besuch erwarten' means being ready exactly at the agreed time, not a minute later. In German offices, 'Besuch' is treated with high formality. Water and coffee are offered immediately upon arrival.
Drop the Article
To sound like a native, don't say 'einen Besuch'. Just say 'Ich erwarte Besuch'.
Erwarten vs. Warten
Remember: 'Erwarten' is a mental state of knowing someone is coming. 'Warten' is the physical act of waiting.
In 15 Seconds
- Used when guests are coming to your home.
- Always uses the singular 'Besuch' for any number of guests.
- Perfect for declining invitations or explaining why you're busy.
What It Means
Besuch erwarten is the standard German way to say you have company coming over. It sounds a bit more intentional than just saying someone is stopping by. When you use this phrase, you're telling people that your home is about to host someone. It covers everything from a quick coffee with a neighbor to a full dinner party. It’s a very common, everyday expression that every German speaker uses.
How To Use It
You use it just like a normal verb-object pair. The word Besuch stays singular, even if twenty people are coming! You say Ich erwarte Besuch or Wir erwarten Besuch. You can add time markers like heute (today) or später (later) to be more specific. It’s a very flexible phrase. You can use it to explain why you're cleaning or why you can't go out tonight.
When To Use It
Use this phrase when you are preparing your home for guests. It’s perfect for declining an invitation politely. If a friend asks you to go to the cinema, you can say, "I can't, I'm expecting visitors." It also works in professional settings. If you need to leave the office on time because your in-laws are arriving, this is your go-to phrase. It sounds organized and respectful of your guests' time.
When NOT To Use It
Don't use this for professional appointments outside your home. If you have a doctor's appointment, use einen Termin haben. Also, don't use it if you are the one going somewhere. That would be zu Besuch sein. If the person coming over is just a delivery driver, Besuch erwarten sounds a bit too formal. You wouldn't usually call the pizza guy "Besuch"—unless you're really lonely!
Cultural Background
In Germany, hosting is often a planned event. Spontaneous visits do happen, but "expecting visitors" usually implies some preparation. This often involves the sacred tradition of Kaffee und Kuchen (coffee and cake). If you tell a German neighbor you erwarten Besuch, they will assume you have a cake in the oven. It’s a sign of hospitality and social connection that Germans value deeply.
Common Variations
You might also hear Besuch bekommen (to get visitors). This is slightly more passive. Besuch haben means the guests are already there. If you want to sound more formal, you could use Gäste empfangen (to receive guests). But for 90% of your life, Besuch erwarten is the perfect middle ground. It’s neither too stiff nor too messy.
Usage Notes
The phrase is highly versatile and fits almost any social situation. Just remember to keep 'Besuch' singular and avoid using an indefinite article for the most natural sound.
Drop the Article
To sound like a native, don't say 'einen Besuch'. Just say 'Ich erwarte Besuch'.
Erwarten vs. Warten
Remember: 'Erwarten' is a mental state of knowing someone is coming. 'Warten' is the physical act of waiting.
The Cake Rule
If you tell a German 'Ich erwarte Besuch', they will assume you have food ready!
Examples
6Ich muss schnell aufräumen, ich erwarte heute Besuch.
I have to clean up quickly, I'm expecting visitors today.
A very common reason for a sudden cleaning frenzy.
Ich kann leider nicht kommen, wir erwarten heute Abend Besuch.
Unfortunately I can't come, we are expecting visitors this evening.
A polite and unarguable way to say no.
Ich muss pünktlich gehen, da ich noch Besuch erwarte.
I have to leave on time because I'm still expecting visitors.
Professional yet personal enough to be understood.
Kann gerade nicht telefonieren, erwarte Besuch!
Can't talk right now, expecting company!
Short and clear for a quick status update.
Mein Hund weiß immer schon vorher, wenn wir Besuch erwarten.
My dog always knows in advance when we are expecting visitors.
Relatable moment for pet owners.
Ich bin so aufgeregt, ich erwarte morgen endlich wieder Besuch von meiner Familie.
I'm so excited, I'm finally expecting a visit from my family again tomorrow.
Expresses anticipation and warmth.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct form of 'erwarten' and the noun 'Besuch'.
Heute Abend ______ ich ______, deshalb muss ich kochen.
The subject 'ich' requires the verb form 'erwarte', and the collocation is 'Besuch'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say you have guests coming over?
A: Ich warte auf Besucher. B: Ich erwarte Besuch. C: Ich erwarte einen Besuchen.
'Ich erwarte Besuch' is the standard idiomatic collocation.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Gehen wir morgen wandern? B: Nein, meine Eltern ______ ______.
While 'besuchen uns' is grammatically correct, 'erwarten Besuch' fits the context of explaining why one is busy.
🎉 Score: /3
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
3 exercisesHeute Abend ______ ich ______, deshalb muss ich kochen.
The subject 'ich' requires the verb form 'erwarte', and the collocation is 'Besuch'.
A: Ich warte auf Besucher. B: Ich erwarte Besuch. C: Ich erwarte einen Besuchen.
'Ich erwarte Besuch' is the standard idiomatic collocation.
A: Gehen wir morgen wandern? B: Nein, meine Eltern ______ ______.
While 'besuchen uns' is grammatically correct, 'erwarten Besuch' fits the context of explaining why one is busy.
🎉 Score: /3
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsYes, it is perfectly correct and very common. 'Besuch' is just a slightly more idiomatic collective term.
In this phrase, yes. Even for a group of people, you say 'Ich erwarte Besuch'.
No. For a doctor, you say 'Ich habe einen Termin'. 'Besuch' is for social or business guests coming to you.
It means 'high-ranking visit'. It's used for VIPs or sometimes jokingly for important family members.
It is neutral. You can use it with your best friend or your boss.
You say 'Ich erwarte keinen Besuch'.
Usually no. For a package, say 'Ich erwarte ein Paket'. If it's a person (like a plumber), you can say 'Ich erwarte einen Handwerker'.
'Besuch' is the concept/event or the collective group. 'Besucher' are individual people (often in a museum or at a fair).
It sounds a bit strange. Usually, it's just 'Ich erwarte Besuch' or 'Ich erwarte Besuch von [Name]'.
Not necessarily. It usually implies a short visit (a few hours), but can include overnight guests.
Related Phrases
Besuch bekommen
similarTo receive visitors
zu Besuch sein
specialized formTo be visiting someone
jemanden besuchen
builds onTo visit someone
Gäste bewirten
specialized formTo host/entertain guests
einen Besuch abstatten
formalTo pay a visit
