Explain a school collection change in German

The idea

Abholen splits in the present tense: “Meine Schwester holt Leon heute ab.” Starting with “Heute” moves the verb before the subject, but ab still closes the clause. “Als Abholperson eingetragen sein” is a state passive: registered as a collection person. “Wegen der Änderung” uses wegen with the genitive in writing; in speech many people use the dative. “Bescheid geben” means to let someone know and is used with a dative person: “Geben Sie uns Bescheid.”

Other ways to say it

“Leon wird heute von seiner Tante abgeholt.” – Passive version; sounds slightly more formal, suits a note to the teacher.

“Ich wollte Bescheid sagen, dass heute meine Schwester kommt.” – Friendly spoken opener on the phone; “wollte” softens the message.

Examples

• Heute holt meine Schwester Leon ab.My sister will collect Leon today.
• Ist sie bei uns als Abholperson eingetragen?Is she registered with us as a collection person?
• Das weiß ich nicht; was brauchen Sie dafür?I do not know; what do you need for that?
• Bitte klären Sie das mit dem Sekretariat.Please clarify that with the school office.
• Ich rufe dort gleich wegen der Änderung an.I will call them about the change now.
• Gut, geben Sie uns danach kurz Bescheid.Good; let us know briefly afterwards.

Watch out

“Heute abholt meine Schwester Leon.” → “Heute holt meine Schwester Leon ab.”: In a main clause the separable prefix ab detaches and moves to the end; only the stem holt stands in second position.

Try it yourself

1. Translate into German: My sister will collect Leon today.

   Show answer or example answer

   Heute holt meine Schwester Leon ab.

   “Heute” comes first, so “holt” is second and the subject “meine Schwester” follows; the prefix “ab” closes the sentence.

2. Put the words in order: brauchen / dafür / Das / ich / nicht; / Sie / was / weiß

   Show answer or example answer

   Das weiß ich nicht; was brauchen Sie dafür?

   The object “Das” is placed first to pick up the question; after the semicolon a direct question follows, with “dafür” pointing back to the registration.

3. Write this sentence in German: Good; let us know briefly afterwards.

   Show answer or example answer

   Gut, geben Sie uns danach kurz Bescheid.

   “Gut” confirms; “geben Sie uns … Bescheid” is a polite imperative, and “danach kurz” adds when and how briefly.

Use it today

Write a short note to a class teacher saying who will collect your child today, at what time, and that you have informed the school office.