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How to Say ‘To be off the table for now’ in German

Erst mal vom Tisch sein

airst mahl fom tish zyne

[airst mahl fom tish zyne]

Phrase Breakdown

Erst mal

airst mahl

for now / first of all

A colloquial form of 'erstmal', meaning 'for the time being'. Say it quickly as one unit.

Example

Erst mal einen Kaffee.

First, a coffee.

Words in this phrase

Erst

[airst]

first

With 'mal' it means 'for now' or 'first of all'.

Example

Erst mal essen wir.

First, let's eat.

mal

[mahl]

(softener)

Filler particle; 'erst mal' means 'for the time being'.

Example

Warte erst mal.

Just wait for now.

vom Tisch sein

fom tish zyne

to be off the table

An idiom meaning the matter is no longer under discussion. 'vom' equals 'von dem'.

Example

Die OP soll vom Tisch sein.

The surgery is supposedly off the table.

Words in this phrase

vom

[fom]

from the

Contraction of 'von dem', showing origin or sender.

Example

Das ist ein Brief vom Kunden.

That's a letter from the customer.

Tisch

[tish]

table

A table at a restaurant.

Example

Wir brauchen einen Tisch am Fenster.

We need a table by the window.

sein

[zyne]

Exist; occur; take place.

Example

Es ist schön, hier zu sein.

It's nice to be here.

Guides for German learners

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