German Phrase
Bist du bereit für die Arbeit?
Meaning
Literally, “Are you ready for the work?” It asks whether the listener feels prepared or willing to start a task, a shift, or a work‑day. In German, ‘Arbeit’ can refer to a specific job, a school assignment, or any activity that requires effort.
When to use
Use this question right before a meeting, a shift, or when handing over a task. It’s also common among friends who are about to start a group project or a workout session.
✦Grammar Breakdown
BistdubereitfürdieArbeit?
Verb‑to‑be (sein) – 2. Person Singular
‘Bist’ is the present‑tense form of ‘sein’ used with ‘du’. It is the only verb that changes its stem in the 2nd person singular.
Word order – Yes‑no question
In a yes‑no question the finite verb moves to the first position, followed by the subject.
Adjective ‘bereit’ as predicate
‘bereit’ functions like a predicative adjective and does not take an ending when it follows ‘sein’.
Preposition ‘für’ + accusative
‘für’ always governs the accusative case; therefore ‘die Arbeit’ stays in the accusative form.
🗨In Conversation
Bist du bereit für die Arbeit?
Are you ready for work?
Ja, ich habe meine Unterlagen schon vorbereitet.
Yes, I’ve already prepared my documents.
✕Common Mistakes
Bist du bereit zu die Arbeit?
‘zu’ is not used with ‘bereit’; the correct preposition is ‘für’.
Bist du bereit für das Arbeit?
‘Arbeit’ is feminine, so the accusative article is ‘die’, not ‘das’.
Bist du bereit für Arbeit?
When you refer to a specific job or task, you need the article ‘die’ unless you are speaking in a very generic sense.
↔Alternatives
Bist du fertig für die Arbeit?
Are you finished (and) ready for work?
Hast du alles für die Arbeit bereit?
Do you have everything ready for work?
Stehst du bereit für die Arbeit?
Are you standing ready for work?
Cultural Tip
In German workplaces punctuality is highly valued, so asking ‘Bist du bereit für die Arbeit?’ often carries an implicit expectation of being on time and prepared. In informal settings you might hear the shorter ‘Bereit für die Arbeit?’ without the verb, which is acceptable among peers but sounds too casual in a formal meeting.