Bist du schon satt, oder möchtest du noch ein Stück Kuchen?

Are you already full, or would you like another piece of cake?

Breakdown of Bist du schon satt, oder möchtest du noch ein Stück Kuchen?

• sein: to be
• du: you
• möchten: would like to
• schon: already

Questions & Answers about Bist du schon satt, oder möchtest du noch ein Stück Kuchen?

Why does the sentence start with Bist du and not Du bist?

In German, yes/no questions start with the conjugated verb, then the subject:

• Bist du schon satt? – Are you already full?
  (verb bist first, then subject du)

If you say Du bist schon satt., that’s a statement, not a question.

So:

• Bist du schon satt? = question
• Du bist schon satt. = statement (could be followed by a question tag in tone, like “You’re already full, huh?”)

What exactly does schon mean here?

Schon literally means already, but it often adds a nuance of “earlier than expected / by now”.

In Bist du schon satt?, the speaker is asking:

• “Are you already full (by now)?”
• Maybe they’re a bit surprised you might be full so soon.

Without schon:

• Bist du satt? – Are you full?
  (neutral, no hint about expectations)

With schon:

• Bist du schon satt? – Are you already full (so soon / by now)?
  (a bit more emotional or shaded)

What does satt mean, and how is it different from “full” in English?