The idea
“Jemandem etwas überlassen” means to leave something to someone; “es bleibt dir überlassen” is the passive-like fixed form. “Bei jemandem liegen” (Das liegt bei Ihnen) is the neutral alternative. A clause like “Welche Farbe du nimmst” can stand in first position as the subject; its verb goes to the end. “Nach deinem Geschmack” uses nach with the dative to mean according to.
Other ways to say it
“Das liegt ganz bei dir.” – Neutral and common; works for small and large decisions.
“Wie du möchtest.” – Casual and short; tone of voice decides whether it sounds generous or indifferent.
“Das überlasse ich Ihnen.” – Formal; suits a client, a craftsperson or a superior.
Examples
- Welche Farbe du nimmst, bleibt dir überlassen.It is up to you which color you choose.
- Dann wähle ich die ruhigere Variante.Then I will choose the calmer version.
- Du kannst das nach deinem Geschmack entscheiden.You can decide that according to your taste.
- Muss ich dabei noch etwas beachten?Do I need to consider anything else?
- Nur die vereinbarte Größe soll gleich bleiben.Only the agreed size should remain the same.
- Gut, innerhalb dieser Grenze entscheide ich selbst.Good; within that boundary, I will decide myself.
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Watch out
“Es ist bis zu dir, welche Farbe du nimmst.” → “Es liegt bei dir, welche Farbe du nimmst.”: “Up to you” cannot be copied with “bis zu”, which only describes limits in time, space or number. German says “es liegt bei dir” or “es bleibt dir überlassen”.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: It is up to you which color you choose.
Show answer or example answer
Welche Farbe du nimmst, bleibt dir überlassen.
“Welche Farbe du nimmst” is the subject clause with “nimmst” at its end; then “bleibt” follows as the main verb, “dir” is dative and “überlassen” closes the sentence.
Put the words in order: das / deinem / Du / entscheiden / Geschmack / kannst / nach
Show answer or example answer
Du kannst das nach deinem Geschmack entscheiden.
“Kannst” is in second place and “entscheiden” at the end. “Nach deinem Geschmack” is dative after nach and means as you like it.
Write this sentence in German: Good; within that boundary, I will decide myself.
Show answer or example answer
Gut, innerhalb dieser Grenze entscheide ich selbst.
“Innerhalb” takes the genitive, so it is “innerhalb dieser Grenze”. “Selbst” stresses that the speaker now decides alone.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: It is up to you which color you choose.
Welche Farbe du nimmst, bleibt dir überlassen.
Put the words in order: das / deinem / Du / entscheiden / Geschmack / kannst / nach
Du kannst das nach deinem Geschmack entscheiden.
Write this sentence in German: Good; within that boundary, I will decide myself.
Gut, innerhalb dieser Grenze entscheide ich selbst.
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 flatmate asks which plant to buy for the shared balcony. Leave the choice to them in one sentence and name one limit, such as the price.