German Phrase
Wem soll ich Bescheid sagen, wenn ich nicht komme?
Meaning
The sentence asks who the speaker should inform in case they are unable to attend or show up. It conveys a sense of responsibility to give notice to the right person.
When to use
Use this question when you need clarification about the proper contact person for a cancellation – for example, before a meeting, a social event, or a work shift.
✦Grammar Breakdown
WemsollichBescheidsagen,wennichnichtkomme?
Wem (Dativ)
‘Wem’ is the dative form of ‘wer’ and is used for the indirect object (the person who receives the information).
soll (Modalverb)
‘soll’ expresses a suggestion or obligation, similar to ‘should’ in English.
Bescheid sagen
A fixed phrase meaning ‘to inform’ or ‘to let someone know’; it always takes a dative object.
wenn (Konditionalsatz)
‘wenn’ introduces a conditional clause, equivalent to ‘if/when’.
nicht kommen
A negative verb phrase meaning ‘not to come’; used here in the present indicative to talk about a possible future situation.
🗨In Conversation
Wem soll ich Bescheid sagen, wenn ich nicht komme?
Who should I inform if I don’t come?
Sag am besten deinem Vorgesetzten Bescheid.
You should let your supervisor know.
✕Common Mistakes
Wer soll ich Bescheid sagen, wenn ich nicht komme?
‘Wer’ is nominative; the sentence requires the dative ‘Wem’ because it is the indirect object.
Wem soll ich sagen, wenn ich nicht komme?
‘Bescheid’ is part of a fixed phrase; saying ‘sagen’ alone sounds incomplete.
Wem soll ich Bescheid sagen, wenn ich nicht nicht komme?
In a future‑oriented context you can also use ‘nicht kommen werde’, but the simple present is idiomatic.
↔Alternatives
Wen soll ich informieren, wenn ich nicht komme?
Who should I inform if I don’t come?
An wen soll ich Bescheid geben, falls ich nicht erscheine?
To whom should I give notice if I don’t show up?
Wer muss Bescheid bekommen, wenn ich nicht komme?
Who needs to be notified if I don’t come?
Cultural Tip
In German‑speaking workplaces and social circles it is considered polite to give a heads‑up as early as possible. ‘Bescheid sagen’ is a common, slightly informal way to do this; in very formal contexts you might prefer ‘informieren’ or ‘benachrichtigen’. Also, always use the dative case after ‘Bescheid sagen’.