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How to Say ‘Already taken’ in German

Schon vergeben

shohn fer-GAY-ben

[shohn fer-GAY-ben]

💬 Usage Tip: vergeben also means "to forgive", but for rooms, tables or jobs it means "already given to someone". You'll hear the same sense in Der Tisch ist vergeben "The table is taken".

Phrase Breakdown

Schon

[shohn]

already

By this time; prior to a specified time.

Example

Er ist schon weg.

He is already gone.

vergeben

[fer-GAY-ben]

taken / booked

Past participle of 'vergeben'; here meaning already given to someone else.

Example

Der Termin ist schon vergeben.

The slot is already taken.

Guides for German learners

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