German Phrase
Bis wann muss das erledigt sein?
Meaning
Literally: “Until when must that be completed?” It is used to ask for the deadline of a specific task or request. The speaker expects a concrete date or time frame as an answer.
When to use
Use this question in both professional and informal settings when you need to know by which date a piece of work, a document, or any obligation should be finished. It works well in emails, meetings, or casual conversations with colleagues, friends, or service providers.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Biswannmussdaserledigtsein?
Bis wann
A temporal phrase meaning “until when”. It introduces a deadline question.
Modalverb muss
The modal verb “muss” expresses obligation; it is conjugated for the 3rd person singular here.
Passiv‑Infinitiv erledigt sein
The construction “erledigt sein” is a perfect‑like passive infinitive, equivalent to “to be finished”.
Verb‑Second (V2) word order
In main clauses the finite verb (“muss”) occupies the second position, after the fronted temporal phrase “Bis wann”.
🗨In Conversation
Bis wann muss das erledigt sein?
When does that need to be finished?
Am Freitag, spätestens bis zum Wochenende.
By Friday, at the latest by the weekend.
✕Common Mistakes
Bis wann muss das erledigt werden?
“Erledigt werden” is grammatically correct but sounds overly formal; native speakers prefer the shorter “erledigt sein”.
Bis wann muss das erledigt ist?
The verb “sein” must stay in infinitive form after the modal verb; using “ist” creates a double‑finite verb error.
Bis wann muss das erledigt?
Missing the auxiliary “sein” makes the sentence incomplete; the passive infinitive needs “sein”.
↔Alternatives
Wann soll das erledigt sein?
When should that be completed?
Bis zu welchem Termin muss das fertig sein?
By which date must that be finished?
Wie lange hast du Zeit, das zu erledigen?
How much time do you have to get that done?
Cultural Tip
German speakers tend to be very direct about deadlines. Using “Bis wann” signals that you need a clear time frame, which is appreciated in business contexts. In more informal settings you might soften the request with “Könntest du mir sagen, bis wann …?” to sound more polite. Also note that the passive construction “erledigt sein” is common in written German; in spoken language many people simply say “bis wann muss das fertig sein?”.