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How to Say ‘When should everything be ready by?’ in German

Bis wann soll alles fertig sein?

bis van zoll AL-les FER-tikh zine

[bis van zoll AL-les FER-tikh zine]

💬 Usage Tip: bis covers "by" or "until" for deadlines. You'll hear it back in the answer: bis halb zehn.

Phrase Breakdown

Bis wann

bis van

By when

Asks for a deadline. 'w' sounds like English 'v': 'biss vann'.

Example

Bis wann arbeitest du?

Until when are you working?

Words in this phrase

Bis

[bis]

by, until

Indicates a time limit.

Example

Bitte antworten Sie bis Freitag.

Please reply by Friday.

wann

[van]

when

Question word for time; 'bis wann' = by when.

Example

Wann beginnt der Dreh?

When does the shoot start?

soll alles fertig sein?

zoll AL-les FER-tikh zine

should everything be ready?

'soll' (should) is a modal verb, so the infinitive 'sein' goes to the end. 'fertig' = ready or finished.

Example

Das Essen ist fertig.

The food is ready.

Words in this phrase

soll

[zoll]

should

Form of 'sollen', expressing what is wanted or expected.

Example

Was soll ich bestellen?

What should I order?

alles

[AL-les]

everything

Refers to all things together, treated as singular.

Example

Alles ist in Ordnung.

Everything is fine.

fertig

[FER-tikh]

finished, done

Adjective meaning complete or ready.

Example

Das Essen ist fertig.

The food is ready.

sein

[zine]

Infinitive of the verb 'to be'.

Example

Das kann gefährlich sein.

That can be dangerous.

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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