The idea
“Etwas schaffen” means to manage something; with a time it expresses not making it: “Ich schaffe es heute nicht.” “Vereinbart” (agreed) is a participle used as an adjective. To negate the whole sentence, nicht goes to the end. “Bescheid wissen” means to know the answer; in “sobald ich Bescheid weiß”, sobald sends the verb to the end. “Zurückhalten” means to hold back goods.
Other ways to say it
“Kann ich die Bestellung auch morgen abholen?” – Neutral question that asks rather than informs.
“Mir ist leider etwas dazwischengekommen.” – Common polite excuse: something came up.
Examples
- Ich schaffe die vereinbarte Abholung heute nicht.I cannot make the agreed collection today.
- Wann könnten Sie stattdessen vorbeikommen?When could you come by instead?
- Morgen direkt nach der Öffnung.Tomorrow just after opening.
- Ich prüfe, ob wir die Ware so lange zurückhalten können.I will check whether we can hold the goods that long.
- Bitte bestätigen Sie mir kurz, ob das klappt.Please briefly confirm whether that works.
- Ich melde mich, sobald ich Bescheid weiß.I will contact you as soon as I know.
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Watch out
“Ich schaffe nicht die vereinbarte Abholung heute.” → “Ich schaffe die vereinbarte Abholung heute nicht.”: When nicht negates the whole statement, it goes after the object and time, at the end of the clause. Placed early, it sounds as if you will manage a different collection.
Try it yourself
Translate into German: I cannot make the agreed collection today.
Show answer or example answer
Ich schaffe die vereinbarte Abholung heute nicht.
“Ich schaffe” takes the accusative “die vereinbarte Abholung”; “heute nicht” at the end negates the whole plan.
Put the words in order: der / direkt / Morgen / nach / Öffnung
Show answer or example answer
Morgen direkt nach der Öffnung.
A short answer without a verb: “Morgen” gives the day, and “direkt nach der Öffnung” uses nach plus dative for just after opening.
Write this sentence in German: I will contact you as soon as I know.
Show answer or example answer
Ich melde mich, sobald ich Bescheid weiß.
“Ich melde mich” is reflexive; the sobald-clause puts “weiß” at the end after “Bescheid”.
Practice round
Answer three questions, then rebuild three German sentences. We keep your score.
Translate into German: I cannot make the agreed collection today.
Ich schaffe die vereinbarte Abholung heute nicht.
Put the words in order: der / direkt / Morgen / nach / Öffnung
Morgen direkt nach der Öffnung.
Write this sentence in German: I will contact you as soon as I know.
Ich melde mich, sobald ich Bescheid weiß.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Tap the words in the right order.
Keep your progress
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Write a short message to a shop saying you cannot collect your order today, suggesting a new time and asking them to confirm.