The idea
“Ist es okay, wenn …?” is a casual but polite way to ask permission; a slightly more formal version is “Wäre es in Ordnung, wenn …?”. In the wenn-clause the conjugated verb goes last. For a single night, German says “von Freitag auf Samstag” (from Friday to Saturday night), not “bis”. “Würde … bleiben” describes a plan as tentative. “Etwas absprechen” means to agree on something together.
Other ways to say it
“Hättest du etwas dagegen, wenn am Freitag jemand bei mir schläft?” – Very considerate Konjunktiv II; invites an honest no.
“Am Wochenende kommt meine Cousine zu Besuch, eine Nacht.” – Informs rather than asks; fits when the flat has an easygoing rule.
Examples
- Ist es okay, wenn meine Cousine hier übernachtet?Is it okay if my cousin stays overnight here?
- Für welche Nacht planst du das?Which night are you planning that for?
- Sie würde von Freitag auf Samstag bleiben.She would stay from Friday to Saturday.
- Dann brauche ich morgens das Wohnzimmer.Then I need the living room in the morning.
- Wir räumen ihre Sachen vorher weg.We will put her things away beforehand.
- Dann können wir das so absprechen.Then we can agree on that arrangement.
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Watch out
“Ist es okay, wenn meine Cousine übernachtet hier?” → “Ist es okay, wenn meine Cousine hier übernachtet?”: Wenn starts a subordinate clause, and there the conjugated verb must be the last element. Adverbs like hier move before it.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: Is it okay if my cousin stays overnight here?
Show answer or example answer
Ist es okay, wenn meine Cousine hier übernachtet?
The main clause “Ist es okay” asks permission; the wenn-clause puts “übernachtet” at the end, after “hier”.
Put the words in order: auf / bleiben / Freitag / Samstag / Sie / von / würde
Show answer or example answer
Sie würde von Freitag auf Samstag bleiben.
“Würde … bleiben” keeps the plan tentative; “von Freitag auf Samstag” is the idiomatic way to name one night.
Write this sentence in German: Then we can agree on that arrangement.
Show answer or example answer
Dann können wir das so absprechen.
“Dann” opens the sentence, the modal “können” is second, and “so absprechen” closes it: agree on it this way.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: Is it okay if my cousin stays overnight here?
Ist es okay, wenn meine Cousine hier übernachtet?
Put the words in order: auf / bleiben / Freitag / Samstag / Sie / von / würde
Sie würde von Freitag auf Samstag bleiben.
Write this sentence in German: Then we can agree on that arrangement.
Dann können wir das so absprechen.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
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Write a message to your flatmates announcing a guest: who, which night, and one thing you will do so the shared rooms stay usable.