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Questions & Answers about Ich bin bereits müde.
Why isn’t there an article before müde?
Because müde is used predicatively with the linking verb sein. Predicative adjectives in German remain uninflected and don’t take an article.
What is the role of bereits in this sentence?
bereits is a temporal adverb meaning “already.” It indicates that the speaker’s state of being tired has occurred sooner or earlier than perhaps expected.
Can I use schon instead of bereits?
Yes. Both mean “already,” but bereits is slightly more formal or emphatic. schon is more common in everyday, colloquial speech.
Why is the order Ich bin bereits müde rather than Ich bin müde bereits?
German main clauses follow the verb-second (V2) rule: the finite verb (bin) must be the second element. Adverbs like bereits typically come right after the verb, before the predicate complement.
Does bereits add any special nuance beyond “already”?
Yes. Besides “already,” bereits can imply “earlier than expected” or “sooner than usual,” adding a subtle emphasis on timing.
Why do we say Ich bin müde instead of Mir ist müde?
German uses sein + adjective to express a state like tiredness. The dative construction (e.g. Mir ist kalt or Mir ist übel) is reserved for sensations such as cold or nausea, not for müde.
Is Ich bin bereits müde in the present perfect tense because of bereits?
No. It’s simple present tense. Ich bin translates to “I am,” not “I have been.” German doesn’t combine bereits with a perfect here when expressing current states.
Could I say Bin bereits müde and drop Ich?
In standard German, no. Main clauses require an explicit subject (here Ich), and you must keep the finite verb in second position. Omitting Ich would violate both rules.
How do you pronounce müde?
müde is pronounced [ˈmyːdə]. The ü is a long front rounded vowel /yː/, similar to the French u in lune. Stress falls on the first syllable.