Word
Wir mischen die Zutaten, bis wir fertig sind.
Meaning
We mix the ingredients until we are finished.
Part of speech
sentence
Pronunciation
Course
Lesson
Breakdown of Wir mischen die Zutaten, bis wir fertig sind.
sein
to be
wir
we
fertig
ready / finished
bis
until / to (as far as)
Questions & Answers about Wir mischen die Zutaten, bis wir fertig sind.
Why is the verb sind at the very end of the sentence?
The word bis (until) is a subordinating conjunction here. This means it introduces a dependent clause and "kicks" the conjugated verb all the way to the end of that clause. Instead of saying bis wir sind fertig (like we would in English), you must say bis wir fertig sind.
Why do we need a comma before bis?
In German, you must always use a comma to separate a main clause (Wir mischen die Zutaten) from a subordinate clause (bis wir fertig sind). Punctuation rules for separating clauses are much stricter in German than they are in English.
Does fertig mean finished or ready?
It can mean both, depending on the context! When you are working on a task, like mixing a recipe, fertig sein means to be finished or done. If you are preparing to leave the house, Ich bin fertig usually translates to "I am ready."
What is the singular form of die Zutaten?
The singular is die Zutat (the ingredient). It is a feminine noun, and like many feminine nouns in German, it forms its plural by simply adding -en to the end.