Time Adverbs
Spoken Description
Entdecke deutsche Zeitadverbien wie oft, immer, bald, schon, nie, täglich und heute mit klaren Beispielen und Übungen für den Alltag. Perfekt für Anfänger, die Alltagssprache schnell sprechen wollen.
Discover key German time adverbs like often, always, soon, already, never, daily, and today. Clear examples and quick exercises help beginners use these in daily conversation confidently and naturally.
-:- / -:-
Time adverbs in German signal when something happens, and they help sequence events in narratives and everyday speech. This guide covers common time adverbs and useful expressions.
Common Adverbs
Adverbs like heute (today), gestern (yesterday), and morgen (tomorrow) give a clear anchor to the time of an action. They usually appear at the beginning or end of a sentence.
| German Adverb | English Adverb | |
|---|---|---|
| heute | today | |
| gestern | yesterday | |
| morgen | tomorrow | |
| jetzt | now | |
| bald | soon | |
| gleich | immediately | |
| damals | back then | |
| neulich | recently |
Ich habe das Buch(yesterday) gelesen.
I read the book yesterday.
Complete the sentence with a suitable time adverb.
Expressions
Phrases such as vor Kurzem (shortly ago) and in Kürze (in a short time) are more precise and often used in speech and writing to mark exact or relative times. They can be moved for emphasis.
| German Expression | English Expression | |
|---|---|---|
| vor Kurzem | shortly ago | |
| vor einer Woche | a week ago | |
| vor zwei Tagen | two days ago | |
| vor einem Jahr | a year ago | |
| vorhin | a little while ago | |
| vor( dem) Mittag | before noon | |
| in Kürze | in a short time | |
| in einer Woche | in one week | |
| in zwei Tagen | in two days | |
| in einem Jahr | in one year |
Ich habe sie(shortly ago) gesehen.
I saw her shortly ago.
Complete with an expression meaning 'shortly ago'.
Placement
Time adverbs normally appear in the first position (for emphasis) or after the verb in main clauses. Adverbs modifying the whole sentence often come at the beginning; more specific ones can follow. Adverbs at the end can shift focus.
Summary
Time adverbs anchor events and shape narratives, so learn common ones and pay attention to their typical placement. Use adverbs at the start for emphasis and at the end for nuance.
All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes. We may earn commissions on some links. Last updated: Mon Dec 8, 2025, 6:25 AM