In 15 Seconds
- Means 'until now' or 'so far' in time-related contexts.
- Used to give status updates or describe ongoing situations.
- Very common in both casual chats and professional meetings.
Meaning
You use this phrase to describe a situation that started in the past and has continued exactly up to this moment. It is like putting a time-stamp on your current progress or feelings.
Key Examples
3 of 6Checking in at a hotel
Bis jetzt gefällt uns das Zimmer sehr gut.
Until now, we like the room very much.
Talking about a work project
Wir haben bis jetzt drei Berichte geschrieben.
We have written three reports so far.
Texting a friend who is late
Ich habe bis jetzt auf dich gewartet, aber ich gehe jetzt.
I've waited for you until now, but I'm leaving now.
Cultural Background
Germans value 'Ehrlichkeit' (honesty). Using 'bis jetzt' is a way to be precise about current success without making arrogant claims about the future. In Austria, 'bis jetzt' is often used in hospitality. A waiter might ask 'War bis jetzt alles zu Ihrer Zufriedenheit?' (Was everything to your satisfaction so far?) Swiss German speakers use 'bis jetzt' frequently in the context of precision and timing, often in technical or watchmaking contexts. In German business meetings, 'bis jetzt' is the standard way to introduce a 'Statusbericht' (status report). It signals that you are providing a snapshot of current data.
The Standalone Answer
You can use 'Bis jetzt!' as a short answer to 'Wie läuft's?' (How's it going?). It sounds very natural and native.
Word Order Trap
Remember: 'Bis jetzt IST alles gut' NOT 'Bis jetzt alles IST gut'. The verb is the boss!
In 15 Seconds
- Means 'until now' or 'so far' in time-related contexts.
- Used to give status updates or describe ongoing situations.
- Very common in both casual chats and professional meetings.
What It Means
Think of bis jetzt as a bridge. It connects everything that happened before to this exact second. It is the German way of saying "so far" or "up to this point." When you use it, you are drawing a line in the sand. You are saying, "This is the status right now, though it might change in five minutes."
How To Use It
You have a lot of freedom with this one. You can throw it at the very beginning of a sentence to sound more dramatic or focused. For example: Bis jetzt ist alles okay. Or, you can tuck it into the middle or end for a more casual vibe. It works perfectly with the present tense to describe ongoing states. It also works with the perfect tense to talk about completed actions that lead up to now. Just remember, it is two separate words. Do not squish them together!
When To Use It
This phrase is a lifesaver in daily life. Use it at work when your boss asks for a status update. Use it at a restaurant if the waiter asks if you like the food. It is also great for texting friends when you are running late. If you have been waiting for twenty minutes, you say: Ich warte bis jetzt. It adds a bit of weight to your sentence. It shows that your patience has a limit that ends right here.
When NOT To Use It
Do not use bis jetzt if you are talking about the future. If you want to say "from now on," use ab jetzt. Also, avoid using it for physical distances. If you walked to the station, do not say bis jetzt. Use bis hierher instead. It is strictly for time. Also, if an action is completely finished and has no connection to the present, a simple damals or früher is usually better.
Cultural Background
Germans value precision and clarity. Using bis jetzt helps manage expectations. It tells the listener that while things are good now, you aren't making promises for the future. It is a very honest way to communicate. In a culture that loves planning and status reports, this phrase is the ultimate tool for giving a quick, accurate update without overcommitting. It is the linguistic equivalent of a "Work in Progress" sign.
Common Variations
You will often hear bisher. This is the slightly more sophisticated cousin of bis jetzt. You will see bisher in newspapers or hear it in news broadcasts. Another variation is bis dato. This one is quite formal and sounds a bit like something a lawyer would say. For everyday chatting, stick with bis jetzt. It is friendly, clear, and fits everywhere.
Usage Notes
The phrase is neutral and can be used in almost any social or professional setting. It is most commonly used at the start of a sentence for emphasis or at the end for a casual remark.
The Standalone Answer
You can use 'Bis jetzt!' as a short answer to 'Wie läuft's?' (How's it going?). It sounds very natural and native.
Word Order Trap
Remember: 'Bis jetzt IST alles gut' NOT 'Bis jetzt alles IST gut'. The verb is the boss!
Modesty
Using 'bis jetzt' when things are going well shows a nice level of German modesty and realism.
Examples
6Bis jetzt gefällt uns das Zimmer sehr gut.
Until now, we like the room very much.
The speaker is giving feedback on their stay so far.
Wir haben bis jetzt drei Berichte geschrieben.
We have written three reports so far.
A factual update on work progress.
Ich habe bis jetzt auf dich gewartet, aber ich gehe jetzt.
I've waited for you until now, but I'm leaving now.
Shows the limit of the speaker's patience.
Bis jetzt hat noch niemand getanzt, wie peinlich!
Until now, no one has danced yet, how embarrassing!
Uses the phrase to point out a funny or awkward situation.
Ich wusste bis jetzt nicht, dass du so denkst.
I didn't know until now that you thought that way.
Expresses a moment of realization or emotional discovery.
Bis jetzt liegt uns keine Bestätigung vor.
Until now, no confirmation has been received by us.
A polite but firm way to state that something is missing.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing phrase to say 'So far, everything is okay.'
____ ____ ist alles okay.
'Bis jetzt' means 'so far'. 'Seit jetzt' would mean 'since now' and 'Ab jetzt' means 'from now on'.
Which sentence has the correct word order?
Choose the correct sentence:
In German, the verb must be in the second position. 'Bis jetzt' is position 1, 'habe' is position 2.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Wie ist der Film? B: ________, er ist sehr spannend!
'Bis jetzt' is the natural way to give a mid-movie review.
Match the phrase to the situation.
You want to tell your boss that no problems have occurred yet.
'Bis jetzt' looks at the past up to now. The other options look into the future.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercises____ ____ ist alles okay.
'Bis jetzt' means 'so far'. 'Seit jetzt' would mean 'since now' and 'Ab jetzt' means 'from now on'.
Choose the correct sentence:
In German, the verb must be in the second position. 'Bis jetzt' is position 1, 'habe' is position 2.
A: Wie ist der Film? B: ________, er ist sehr spannend!
'Bis jetzt' is the natural way to give a mid-movie review.
You want to tell your boss that no problems have occurred yet.
'Bis jetzt' looks at the past up to now. The other options look into the future.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
4 questionsTechnically yes, but it sounds very archaic or poetic. Stick to 'bis jetzt' or 'bisher'.
No, you can use the Present tense if the state is still happening (e.g., 'Bis jetzt ist es kalt').
Yes, 'bisher' is preferred in formal emails or essays, but 'bis jetzt' is perfectly acceptable in most business contexts.
'Bislang' is just a more formal, slightly more 'literary' version of 'bis jetzt'. They mean the same thing.
Related Phrases
bisher
synonymso far / until now
bis heute
similaruntil today
noch nicht
contrastnot yet
so weit
similarso far (progress)
