German word

sobald

Pronunciation

IPA/zoˈbalt/

Meaning

  • conjunctionas soon as

Example

Ich schicke dir die Datei, sobald sie fertig ist.

I'll send you the file as soon as it's ready.

Illustration for sobald (as soon as)

More examples

Ruf mich an, sobald du fertig bist.

Call me as soon as you’re finished.

Core concept

A completed condition acts like a signal that immediately releases the next event.

Common phrases

  • sobald du fertig bist

    as soon as you are finished

  • sobald ich zu Hause bin

    as soon as I am home

Similar words

sowie: Introduces an event that follows almost simultaneously with another event.
wenn: Introduces an event that occurs when a particular event or condition arises.
nachdem: Introduces an event that occurs after another event has ended.
bevor: Introduces an event that occurs before another event begins.

Definition in German

Ausdrückt, dass etwas unmittelbar nach dem Eintreten eines anderen Ereignisses geschieht.

Word origin

The word combines German so, 'so', with bald, 'soon', and the combination developed the meaning 'as soon as'.

Usage tips

  • German commonly uses the present tense after sobald for a future event, so sobald sie fertig ist can refer to future completion.

Other meanings

  • the momentconjunction

Opposites

Word lists with this word