Speak German Like a Native: "Word Combos for Everyday"

If you want to understand Germans better and sound more natural yourself, this is one of the highest-value vocabulary lessons you can learn: word combinations built around the verb sein (to be). Native speakers use them constantly in everyday conversation, but they rarely show up in beginner textbooks because each one has to be learned as its own little unit — the meaning isn't always obvious from the individual words. In this lesson we cover 14 of the most useful ones, split into combinations used in both written and spoken German, and combinations that mostly live in Umgangssprache (colloquial spoken German).

Combinations Used in Written and Spoken German

These nine combinations are safe to use anywhere — in an email, an exam, or a conversation with a stranger.

• fertig sein — to be finished/done (and colloquially, to be exhausted). Bist du mit der Hausaufgabe fertig? — Are you done with the homework?
• gültig sein — to be valid. Das Ticket ist nur bis Sonntag gültig. — The ticket is only valid until Sunday.
• dafür sein — to be in favor of something. Ich bin dafür, dass wir früher losfahren. — I'm in favor of leaving earlier.
• dagegen sein — to be against something. Meine Eltern sind dagegen. — My parents are against it.
• einverstanden sein — to agree, to be okay with something. Bist du damit einverstanden? — Are you okay with that?
• unterwegs sein — to be on the way, out and about. Ich bin schon unterwegs! — I'm already on my way!
• verabredet sein — to have plans, to have arranged to meet someone. Ich bin heute Abend mit Freunden verabredet. — I'm meeting friends tonight.
• verboten sein — to be forbidden. Rauchen ist hier verboten. — Smoking is forbidden here.
• dabei sein — to be there/present, to be taking part, or to be in the middle of doing something. Ich bin gerade dabei, das Essen zu kochen. — I'm in the middle of cooking dinner.

Colloquial Combinations: Umgangssprache vs. Standardsprache

Standardsprache is the "correct," textbook-standard German you'll find written down everywhere. Umgangssprache is the relaxed, shortened version people actually use when they're speaking casually — and the next five combinations belong firmly in that category. You'll hear them daily, but you won't always see them in formal writing.

• an sein — to be on (electronics, appliances). Ist der Fernseher an? — Is the TV on?
• aus sein — to be off (electronics), or for an event to be over. Das Licht ist aus. / Der Film ist schon aus.
• auf sein — to be open (a shop), or to be awake/out of bed. Ist der Supermarkt schon auf? — Is the supermarket already open?
• zu sein — to be closed. Die Bäckerei ist sonntags zu. — The bakery is closed on Sundays.
• weg sein — to be gone, away. Meine Schlüssel sind weg! — My keys are gone!

Notice the pattern: an/aus/auf/zu are the same little words you already know as separable-verb prefixes and prepositions — combined with sein, they describe the state something is in, which is much simpler than reaching for a completely different verb every time.

Why This Matters for Understanding Real German

Once you actively know these combinations, two things happen: you stop getting tripped up when native speakers use them in fast conversation, and your own German starts sounding noticeably less "textbook." Most of these combinations can't be translated word for word into English, so the fastest way to make them stick is to learn each one together with a full example sentence, exactly as shown above, rather than memorizing the words in isolation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "dabei sein" mean in German?

"Dabei sein" can mean to be present or take part in something, or to be in the middle of doing something right now, e.g. "Ich bin dabei, einen Kaffee zu machen" (I'm in the middle of making a coffee).

What is the difference between "an sein" and "auf sein"?

"An sein" describes something switched on, like a device or a light. "Auf sein" describes something open, like a shop, or a person being awake and out of bed.

Is "auf sein" the same as "offen sein"?

They're very close in meaning when talking about opening hours ("Der Laden ist auf" / "Der Laden ist offen"), but "auf sein" is the more colloquial, spoken-German choice, while "offen sein" is more neutral and works in writing too.

What is the difference between Umgangssprache and Standardsprache?

Standardsprache is the standard, "correct" form of German used in writing and formal contexts. Umgangssprache is the casual, everyday spoken version — shorter and more relaxed, and it's what you'll actually hear most in daily conversations.

What does "verabredet sein" mean?

"Verabredet sein" means to have made plans or arranged to meet someone, e.g. "Ich bin mit meiner Freundin verabredet" (I'm meeting up with my girlfriend).

You'll find a lot more everyday vocabulary like this covered step by step in our A2 German course.