The idea
“Auf dem Laufenden” is a frozen dative: das Laufende is an adjective used as a noun, so it always ends in -en here. The person you inform is the accusative object (dich, Sie), and the subject matter is “über + accusative”. “Bescheid geben” and “Bescheid sagen” take a dative person (dir, Ihnen) and are best for one concrete update; “sich melden” means to get in touch, with or without news.
Other ways to say it
“Ich sage dir Bescheid, sobald ich mehr weiß.” – Everyday and friendly; the most common spoken version among friends.
“Ich halte Sie auf dem Laufenden.” – Formal version for clients, offices or a new manager.
“Ich gebe dir ein Update, sobald es Neuigkeiten gibt.” – Casual office German; the English loanword Update is common at work.
Examples
- Ich halte dich über die Terminänderung auf dem Laufenden.I will keep you updated about the appointment change.
- Danke, dann warte ich auf deine Nachricht.Thanks; then I will wait for your message.
- Sobald der neue Ort feststeht, gebe ich dir Bescheid.As soon as the new venue is decided, I will let you know.
- Das hilft mir bei meiner Planung.That will help me with my planning.
- Ich melde mich auch, wenn es noch keine Entscheidung gibt.I will also get in touch if there is still no decision.
- Gut, dann kenne ich wenigstens den aktuellen Stand.Good; then at least I will know the current status.
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Watch out
“Ich halte dich aktualisiert über die Terminänderung.” → “Ich halte dich über die Terminänderung auf dem Laufenden.”: “Keep you updated” cannot be translated word for word: aktualisieren is used for data, files and software, not people. German uses the idiom “auf dem Laufenden halten”, with the idiom at the end of the clause.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: I will keep you updated about the appointment change.
Show answer or example answer
Ich halte dich über die Terminänderung auf dem Laufenden.
“Halten” is the finite verb in second place; “dich” is the person, “über die Terminänderung” the topic, and “auf dem Laufenden” closes the clause like a verb particle.
Put the words in order: Bescheid / der / dir / feststeht / gebe / ich / neue / Ort / Sobald
Show answer or example answer
Sobald der neue Ort feststeht, gebe ich dir Bescheid.
“Sobald” sends “feststeht” to the end of its clause. Because that whole clause fills position one, the main clause starts with the verb: “gebe ich dir Bescheid”.
Write this sentence in German: Good; then at least I will know the current status.
Show answer or example answer
Gut, dann kenne ich wenigstens den aktuellen Stand.
“Gut,” stands outside the sentence; “dann” takes position one, so “kenne” follows directly. “Der aktuelle Stand” means the current state of things, and “wenigstens” means at least.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: I will keep you updated about the appointment change.
Ich halte dich über die Terminänderung auf dem Laufenden.
Put the words in order: Bescheid / der / dir / feststeht / gebe / ich / neue / Ort / Sobald
Sobald der neue Ort feststeht, gebe ich dir Bescheid.
Write this sentence in German: Good; then at least I will know the current status.
Gut, dann kenne ich wenigstens den aktuellen Stand.
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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Your sports club’s training time may move. Text a teammate that you will keep them posted and say when you expect to know more.