Breakdown of Der Antrag ist fast fertig; wir brauchen nur noch die Unterschrift meiner Schwester.
sein
to be
wir
we
brauchen
to need
noch
still
Questions & Answers about Der Antrag ist fast fertig; wir brauchen nur noch die Unterschrift meiner Schwester.
What does the word Antrag cover in German? Is it an application, a request, or something else?
Antrag is a formal request. Common uses:
- Bureaucracy: an application to an authority (e.g., einen Antrag stellen/einreichen, an application form).
- Politics/meetings: a motion put forward for a vote.
- Set phrases: Heiratsantrag = marriage proposal. Context decides the best English rendering: application, motion, proposal, request.
Why is it Der Antrag and not Das/Die Antrag?
Because Antrag is masculine. In the nominative singular, the article is der. Plural: die Anträge.
Why ist fast fertig? Could I say ist beinahe fertig or ist so gut wie fertig?
All three work:
- fast = almost; very common and neutral.
- beinahe = almost; a touch more formal/literary in everyday speech.
- so gut wie fertig = as good as finished; idiomatic, slightly more colloquial.
What exactly does nur noch mean here?