Der Leiter gibt uns rechtzeitig Bescheid.

The manager lets us know in time.

Breakdown of Der Leiter gibt uns rechtzeitig Bescheid.

• uns: us
• rechtzeitig: in time
• Bescheid geben: to let someone know
• der Leiter: the manager

Questions & Answers about Der Leiter gibt uns rechtzeitig Bescheid.

What does der Leiter mean here? Does it also mean ladder?

Here, der Leiter means the head/manager/supervisor (the person in charge). The word Leiter can also mean ladder, but that is die Leiter (feminine). The article tells you which one it is:

• der Leiter = male manager/supervisor
• die Leiter = ladder
• die Leiterin = female manager/supervisor

Why is it gibt? Which form of geben is that?

Gibt is the 3rd person singular present of geben (to give). Conjugation in the present:

• ich gebe
• du gibst
• er/sie/es gibt
• wir geben
• ihr gebt
• sie/Sie geben

The vowel changes (e → i) in the 2nd and 3rd person singular.

Why uns and not wir?

Wir is nominative (subject). Uns is the object form (dative or accusative). With geben, the recipient is in the dative: jemandem (DAT) etwas (AKK) geben. So:

• Subject (NOM): Der Leiter
• Indirect object (DAT): uns
• Direct object (AKK): Bescheid

What does the idiom Bescheid geben mean?

It’s a fixed expression meaning “to let someone know; to inform someone.” You put the person in the dative:

• jemandem Bescheid geben = to let someone know

Why is there no article before Bescheid, and why is it capitalized?

• All German nouns are capitalized, so Bescheid is capitalized.
• In the idiom Bescheid geben/sagen, Bescheid normally appears without an article. It functions like a fixed chunk.
• With a different meaning, Bescheid can take an article (e.g., an official written notice/decision): ein Bescheid, der Bescheid, viele Bescheide.

Is Bescheid the direct object here? What are the cases?

Yes. The pattern is:

• geben: jemandem (dative) etwas (accusative)
• Here: uns = dative (recipient), Bescheid = accusative (thing given)

Where should rechtzeitig go? Can it go at the end?

The most natural collocation is rechtzeitig Bescheid geben (keeping the adverb right before Bescheid). Other placements are possible, but less idiomatic:

• Very natural: Der Leiter gibt uns rechtzeitig Bescheid.
• Also possible but less common: Der Leiter gibt uns Bescheid rechtzeitig.
• For emphasis, you can front it: Rechtzeitig gibt der Leiter uns Bescheid.

Is rechtzeitig the same as pünktlich?

Not exactly.

• rechtzeitig = in time, with enough lead time (before a deadline/event)
• pünktlich = on time, at the scheduled/expected moment

Example:

• rechtzeitig: He lets us know early enough to prepare.
• pünktlich: He arrives at 9:00, as scheduled.

Can I say Der Leiter sagt uns rechtzeitig Bescheid or Der Leiter informiert uns rechtzeitig?

Yes.

• Bescheid sagen is very common and neutral/colloquial.
• Bescheid geben is also common and neutral.
• informieren/mitteilen are more formal: Der Leiter informiert/teilt uns rechtzeitig mit.

How do I put this in the past or future?

• Present perfect (common in speech): Der Leiter hat uns rechtzeitig Bescheid gegeben.
• Simple past (common in writing): Der Leiter gab uns rechtzeitig Bescheid.
• Future: Der Leiter wird uns rechtzeitig Bescheid geben.

How do I use it in a subordinate clause?

• Present: …, dass der Leiter uns rechtzeitig Bescheid gibt.
• Present perfect: …, dass der Leiter uns rechtzeitig Bescheid gegeben hat.
  In subordinate clauses, the conjugated verb goes to the end.

How would I refer to a female manager?

Use the feminine form:

• Die Leiterin gibt uns rechtzeitig Bescheid.

Is there any difference between Bescheid geben and Bescheid sagen?

Both mean the same (“let someone know”) and are widely used. Bescheid sagen feels a bit more colloquial; Bescheid geben is slightly more neutral in writing. In everyday German, both are fine.

How do I negate or ask a yes/no question with this sentence?

• Negation (not in time): Der Leiter gibt uns nicht rechtzeitig Bescheid.
  Place nicht before rechtzeitig to negate the adverb.
• Yes/no question: Gibt der Leiter uns rechtzeitig Bescheid?
  In questions, the verb comes first.

What other dative pronouns can replace uns?

Common dative pronouns:

• mir, dir, ihm, ihr, uns, euch, ihnen, Ihnen Examples:
• Der Leiter gibt dir rechtzeitig Bescheid.
• Der Leiter gibt Ihnen rechtzeitig Bescheid.

Can I drop the recipient and just say Ich gebe Bescheid?

Yes. In conversational German, Ich gebe (dir) Bescheid is often shortened to Ich gebe Bescheid, with the recipient understood from context. It still means “I’ll let you know.”

How do you pronounce the key words?

• Leiter: [ˈlaɪ̯tɐ] (the ei is like English “eye”)
• Bescheid: [bəˈʃaɪ̯t]
• rechtzeitig: [ˈʁɛçt͡sˌt͡saɪ̯tɪç]
• gibt: [ɡɪpt]
• uns: [ʊns]