How to Use "Schon" in German – A Comprehensive Guide

The German word "schon" is a small but powerful word that can significantly change the meaning of a sentence. Depending on the context, intonation, and sentence structure, it can translate to "already," "just," "really," "surely," "indeed," "now," or "yet" in English.

In this guide, we will break down the different meanings and uses of "schon", compare it with related words, and provide practical examples to help you master this versatile word.

How to use schon in German

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1. "Schon" as "Already" (Temporal Meaning)

One of the most common meanings of "schon" is "already." It indicates that something has happened sooner than expected or earlier than another reference point.

📍 Examples:

• Ich bin schon fertig.(I am already finished.)

• Sie sind schon gegangen.(They have already left.)

• Ist es schon 10 Uhr?(Is it already 10 o’clock?)

💡 Comparison with "erst":

• "Es ist schon 10 Uhr." (It’s already 10 o’clock.) → Time feels later than expected.

• "Es ist erst 10 Uhr." (It’s only 10 o’clock.) → Time feels earlier than expected.

2. "Schon" as "Just" (Emphasising Recency)

Sometimes, "schon" translates as "just" when referring to something that happened recently.

📍 Examples:

• Ich bin schon angekommen.(I just arrived.)

• Wir haben das schon besprochen.(We just discussed that.)

🔹 Alternative: In spoken German, you might also hear "gerade" instead of "schon" for "just now":

• Ich bin gerade angekommen. (I just arrived.)

3. "Schon" for Emphasis (Surely, Indeed, Of Course)

"Schon" can emphasise a statement, often implying certainty or assurance (similar to "surely" or "indeed" in English).

📍 Examples:

• Das ist schon interessant.(That is indeed interesting.)

• Das ist schon eine gute Idee.(That’s really a good idea.)

💡 Intonation matters! If spoken with a rising tone, it can sound doubtful. If said with a falling tone, it sounds more assured.

4. "Schon" as "Yet" or "By Now"

"Schon" can imply expectation that something should have happened by now or yet.

📍 Examples:

• Hast du das schon gemacht?(Have you done that yet?)

• Er hat sich noch nicht gemeldet, aber er wird schon anrufen.(He hasn’t called yet, but he will surely call.)

🔹 Comparison with "noch nicht" (not yet):

• Hast du die Hausaufgaben schon gemacht? (Have you done your homework yet?)

• Nein, ich habe sie noch nicht gemacht. (No, I haven’t done it yet.)

5. "Schon" in Reassurance (Don’t Worry, It’ll Be Fine)

Germans often use "schon" to express reassurance or encouragement, similar to "it will be fine" or "don’t worry."

📍 Examples:

• Das wird schon klappen!*(It will work out!) / (It’ll be fine!)

• Mach dir keine Sorgen, das geht schon!(Don’t worry, it’ll be okay.)

💡 Alternative: You might also hear "Das schaffst du schon!" (You’ll manage it!)

6. "Schon" in Combination with "gut" (It’s Fine, It’s Okay)

One of the most common colloquial uses of "schon" is in the phrase "schon gut", meaning "It’s okay" or "never mind."

📍 Examples:

• Schon gut, du musst dich nicht entschuldigen.(It’s okay, you don’t have to apologize.)

• Wenn du nicht mitkommen willst, ist schon gut.(If you don’t want to come along, that’s fine.)

💡 Alternative: Similar phrases include "Passt schon!" (That’s fine!) and "Ist schon okay!" (It’s all good!)

7. "Schon" in Contradictions (Softening Disagreement)

"Schon" can also be used to soften a contradiction, making an argument sound less direct or aggressive.

📍 Examples:

• Das ist schon richtig, aber...(That is true, but...)

• Ich verstehe das schon, aber ich sehe das anders.(I do understand that, but I see it differently.)

🔹 Why use "schon" here? It makes your disagreement sound more polite and diplomatic.

8. "Schon" in Double Expressions (Strengthening Meaning)

In some phrases, "schon" is repeated to intensify the meaning of an expression.

📍 Examples:

• Das war schon, schon ein großer Erfolg!(That was really quite a success!)

• Ich bin mir schon, schon sicher!(I am really quite sure!)

🔹 This is more common in spoken German and helps emphasise something in a conversational way.

9. Common Phrases with "Schon"

✅ Everyday expressions:

German	English Translation
Schon wieder?!	Again?!
Das ist schon lange her.	That was a long time ago.
Das wusste ich schon!	I already knew that!
Ich hab’s dir schon gesagt!	I told you already!
Hast du das schon gehört?	Have you heard that yet?
Wieso bist du schon hier?	Why are you here already?

Final Thoughts – Mastering "Schon" in German

As you can see, "schon" is an incredibly versatile word in German. It can mean "already," "just," "surely," "yet," "fine," or even soften contradictions.

Key takeaways:

✔ Use "schon" for time: Es ist schon spät. (It’s already late.)

✔ Use "schon" for reassurance: Das wird schon klappen! (It’ll be fine!)

✔ Use "schon" to soften disagreements: Das ist schon richtig, aber... (That’s true, but...)

✔ Use "schon" in common phrases: Schon gut! (It’s okay!)

💡 Practice tip: Try using "schon" in different sentences and compare it with "erst" and "noch nicht" to fully grasp the nuances.

📢 Which use of "schon" do you find the most interesting? Have you encountered any tricky situations with this word? Let us know in the comments! 🚀