German word

bereits

Pronunciation

IPA/bəˈʁaɪ̯ts/

Meaning

  • adverbalready

Example

Ich bin bereits fertig.

I'm already done.

Illustration for bereits (already)

More examples

Die Gäste sind bereits da.

The guests are already here.

Core concept

A progress marker showing that a state or amount has been reached before the relevant point in time.

Common phrases

  • bereits fertig

    already finished

  • bereits da

    already here

Similar words

schon: Marks an action or event as having happened before the relevant time.
noch: Marks a state or activity as remaining in progress.
gerade: Marks an action or event as occurring at the present moment.
soeben: Marks an event as having occurred very shortly beforehand.

Definition in German

Ein Adverb, das besagt, dass etwas in der Vergangenheit oder bis jetzt schon geschehen ist; häufig vor Partizipien oder Zahlen gestellt.

Word origin

Bereits is an old adverbial form related to bereit, meaning 'ready' or 'prepared', and it developed toward the sense of a state already reached.

Usage tips

  • Bereits is more formal or written than schon, which is often more common in everyday conversation.

Other meanings

  • by nowadverb

Opposites

Related words

Word lists with this word