What Does “bis” Mean in German?
The German word “bis” is a preposition that most commonly translates to “until” or “up to” in English. It is widely used to indicate a point in time, a physical limit, or even numbers and quantities. Understanding its meaning and how it pairs with other prepositions is vital for expressing timeframes, deadlines, and destinations in German.
How to Use “bis” as a Preposition
As a preposition, “bis” is unique because it’s usually followed by another preposition or a specific noun or date, but it does not take an article or change the case of the following noun. This makes it simpler than many other German prepositions, but there are still some important rules to remember.
1. “bis” with Time Expressions
One of the most common uses of “bis” is to express a deadline or endpoint in time. For example:
- Bis morgen – Until tomorrow
- Bis nächste Woche – Until next week
- Bis 18 Uhr – Until 6 PM
Notice that “bis” is followed directly by the time expression without any article or case change. This makes it straightforward to use for appointments, schedules, and deadlines.
2. “bis” with Places and Destinations
“Bis” can also indicate a physical limit or endpoint when talking about locations:
- Bis zur Schule – Up to the school
- Bis zum Bahnhof – Up to the train station
- Bis ans Meer – Up to the sea
Here, “bis” is often combined with another preposition (zur, zum, ans) that dictates the case (usually dative or accusative). For instance, “zur” is a contraction of “zu der” (dative), and “zum” is “zu dem” (dative).
3. “bis” with Numbers and Quantities
When talking about numbers, prices, or quantities, “bis” indicates the upper limit:
- Bis 50 Euro – Up to 50 euros
- Bis drei Personen – Up to three people
- Bis zu 10 Kilometer – Up to 10 kilometers
Again, “bis” is used without an article, except when combined with “zu” (“bis zu”), which is common when talking about amounts or distances.
Combining “bis” with Other Prepositions
While “bis” can stand alone, it is frequently combined with other prepositions to clarify meaning, especially with places and destinations. Here are some of the most common combinations:
- bis zu – Used for quantities, distances, and sometimes places (“bis zu 100 Meter”, “bis zur Haltestelle”)
- bis nach – Used with cities and countries (“bis nach Berlin”)
- bis an – Used for boundaries like rivers or the sea (“bis an den Fluss”)
- bis in – Used for enclosed spaces (“bis in die Stadt”)
When “bis” is combined with another preposition, the second preposition determines the case of the noun. For example, “bis zur Schule” uses the dative case because “zu” requires dative.
Common Phrases and Expressions with “bis”
Here are some everyday expressions you’ll hear from native German speakers:
- Bis bald! – See you soon!
- Bis dann! – See you then!
- Bis später! – See you later!
- Bis gleich! – See you in a moment!
These expressions are especially useful in casual conversation and are easy to incorporate into your daily German practice with Talkpal.
Tips for Using “bis” Correctly
- Remember that “bis” itself does not change the case of the following noun, but if you use it with another preposition, follow that preposition’s case rule.
- For time and numbers, use “bis” directly followed by the expression, with no article.
- With places, use combinations like “bis zu,” “bis nach,” or “bis in” for clarity and correctness.
- Listen for “bis” in German conversations and practice using it in context, especially in phrases like “Bis morgen!” or “Bis später!”
Practice with Talkpal
If you want to master “bis” and other essential German prepositions, interactive practice is key. Talkpal’s AI-powered language learning platform offers real-life dialogues and exercises that help you use “bis” naturally in conversation. With instant feedback and tailored lessons, you’ll gain confidence in using this important preposition in no time.
Conclusion
Understanding how to use “bis” in German, both on its own and in combination with other prepositions, will greatly improve your ability to express timeframes, destinations, and limits. Practice with real-world examples and incorporate them into your daily speech. With resources like Talkpal, you can reinforce your knowledge and become more fluent, making your German conversations smoother and more accurate.
