The idea
“Etwas offenlassen” (also written “offen lassen”) means to leave something undecided; offen goes to the end of the clause like a verb particle. “Vorerst”, “vorläufig” and “zunächst” all mean for now. “Etwas aufgreifen” means to take a topic up again. Marking a figure as “vorläufig” shows others it may still change.
Other ways to say it
“Das können wir erst mal offenlassen.” – Casual; “erst mal” is everyday speech for for now.
“Darüber entscheiden wir später.” – Neutral and clear; does not name a date.
“Die Entscheidung darüber vertagen wir.” – Formal; vertagen means to postpone, typical of meetings.
Examples
- Lassen wir die genaue Personenzahl vorerst offen.Let us leave the exact headcount open for now.
- Wann können wir sie verbindlich nennen?When can we state it definitively?
- Nach den Rückmeldungen am Freitag.After the replies on Friday.
- Dann markieren wir die Zahl als vorläufig.Then let us mark the figure as provisional.
- Über die Raumgröße müssen wir noch nicht entscheiden.We do not yet need to decide on the room size.
- Gut, wir greifen beide Punkte später wieder auf.Good; let us return to both points later.
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Watch out
“Wir lassen die genaue Personenzahl offen vorerst.” → “Wir lassen die genaue Personenzahl vorerst offen.”: Learners put the time word last, as in English “for now”. In German offen belongs to the verb and closes the clause, so adverbs like vorerst come before it.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: Let us leave the exact headcount open for now.
Show answer or example answer
Lassen wir die genaue Personenzahl vorerst offen.
“Lassen wir” with the verb first proposes a joint action. “Die genaue Personenzahl” is accusative, “vorerst” limits it in time, and “offen” closes the clause.
Put the words in order: am / den / Freitag / Nach / Rückmeldungen
Show answer or example answer
Nach den Rückmeldungen am Freitag.
The answer is elliptical, with no verb, which is natural in replies. “Nach den Rückmeldungen” is dative plural with -en; “am Freitag” names the day.
Write this sentence in German: Good; let us return to both points later.
Show answer or example answer
Gut, wir greifen beide Punkte später wieder auf.
“Aufgreifen” splits into “greifen … auf”. “Beide Punkte” is accusative plural, and “später wieder” means again at a later time.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: Let us leave the exact headcount open for now.
Lassen wir die genaue Personenzahl vorerst offen.
Put the words in order: am / den / Freitag / Nach / Rückmeldungen
Nach den Rückmeldungen am Freitag.
Write this sentence in German: Good; let us return to both points later.
Gut, wir greifen beide Punkte später wieder auf.
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 are planning a family reunion and nobody knows yet who can come. Suggest leaving the venue size open and say when you will decide.