The idea
“Gerade noch” in front of an adverb or verb means only just: gerade noch geschafft, gerade noch rechtzeitig. Rechtzeitig means early enough; pünktlich means exactly on time. Erreichen takes a direct accusative object: den Beginn, den Zug. “Kaum” means hardly. “Abstand” or “Puffer einplanen” means to allow a time margin; einplanen splits: plane … ein.
Other ways to say it
“Das war knapp!” – Casual and common; said with relief after arriving.
“Ich hab’s gerade noch geschafft.” – Casual spoken form; schaffen means to manage.
“Ich bin in letzter Minute eingetroffen.” – Neutral to formal; eintreffen is a written word for arriving.
Examples
- Ich habe den Beginn gerade noch rechtzeitig erreicht.I reached the start just in time.
- War der Weg länger als gedacht?Was the journey longer than expected?
- Ja, ich musste am Eingang noch warten.Yes, I still had to wait at the entrance.
- Dann blieb wirklich kaum Zeit übrig.Then there really was hardly any time left.
- Beim nächsten Mal plane ich mehr Abstand ein.Next time I will allow more margin.
- So wird die Ankunft hoffentlich entspannter.Hopefully that will make arrival more relaxed.
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Watch out
“Ich habe den Beginn gerade in Zeit erreicht.” → “Ich habe den Beginn gerade noch rechtzeitig erreicht.”: English “in time” is not translated literally. German uses rechtzeitig, and “gerade noch” adds the idea of only just.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: I reached the start just in time.
Show answer or example answer
Ich habe den Beginn gerade noch rechtzeitig erreicht.
Perfect with haben and erreicht at the end. “Gerade noch rechtzeitig” sits in the middle field; den Beginn is the accusative object.
Put the words in order: am / Eingang / ich / Ja / musste / noch / warten
Show answer or example answer
Ja, ich musste am Eingang noch warten.
Musste is the past of müssen. “Am Eingang” gives the place; noch adds that there was an extra delay.
Write this sentence in German: Hopefully that will make arrival more relaxed.
Show answer or example answer
So wird die Ankunft hoffentlich entspannter.
Werden in the present expresses a future change. Entspannter is the comparative; hoffentlich marks it as a hope.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: I reached the start just in time.
Ich habe den Beginn gerade noch rechtzeitig erreicht.
Put the words in order: am / Eingang / ich / Ja / musste / noch / warten
Ja, ich musste am Eingang noch warten.
Write this sentence in German: Hopefully that will make arrival more relaxed.
So wird die Ankunft hoffentlich entspannter.
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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You reach your language course one minute before it starts after a delayed tram. Tell your neighbour in class you made it just in time and why it was so tight.