📅❓

How to Say ‘If we know in advance’ in German

Wenn wir es vorher wissen

ven veer es FOR-hair VIS-sen

[ven veer es FOR-hair VIS-sen]

💬 Usage Tip: After wenn, the verb wissen moves to the end. Compare wenn wir Zeit haben "if we have time".

Phrase Breakdown

Wenn wir es

ven veer es

If we ... it

'Wenn' starts a subordinate clause, which sends the verb to the end. 'wir es' often blends together as 'wir's'.

Example

Wenn wir es schaffen, feiern wir.

If we make it, we'll celebrate.

Words in this phrase

Wenn

[ven]

if, when

Conjunction introducing a condition; sends the verb to the end.

Example

Sagen Sie Bescheid, wenn Sie Allergien haben.

Let us know if you have allergies.

wir

[veer]

Pronoun for a group including the speaker.

Example

Wir arbeiten gern zusammen.

We like working together.

[es]

A neutral pronoun used to refer to a thing previously mentioned.

Example

Es ist ein schöner Tag.

It is a beautiful day.

vorher wissen

FOR-hair VIS-sen

know beforehand

'vorher' means 'beforehand'. Stress 'VOR-her'. The 'v' sounds like 'f'.

Example

Ich muss das vorher wissen.

I need to know that beforehand.

Words in this phrase

vorher

[FOR-hair]

beforehand

Before a certain time.

Example

Sag mir vorher Bescheid.

Let me know beforehand.

wissen

[VIS-sen]

know

To have knowledge of a fact.

Example

Wir wissen es nicht.

We don't know it.

Guides for German learners

Duolingo vs Pimsleur: Tapping on a Screen or Talking Out Loud?Duolingo vs Pimsleur: five minutes of tapping versus thirty minutes of speaking. What each is good at, what each costs, and which to pick for your goal.

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