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German Phrase

Ich geh so gegen 22 Uhr ins Bett.

/ɪç geː zoː ˈɡeːɡn̩ ˈtsvaɪ̯ʊntˌtsvantsɪç uːɐ̯ ɪns bɛt/
Meaning"I go to bed around 10 PM."
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Meaning

This phrase describes the action of going to bed at an approximate time. 'So gegen' is key here, meaning 'around' or 'approximately', indicating that the time isn't exact. It's a common way to talk about daily routines in German.

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When to use

You would use this phrase in informal conversations when talking about your daily routine or bedtime habits. It's suitable for friends, family, or casual acquaintances. It's a very natural and common way to express this idea.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Ichgehsogegen22 Uhrins Bett

1

Ich geh (gehen)

'Geh' is a common colloquial short form of 'gehe' (the first-person singular conjugation of the verb 'gehen' - to go). In informal speech, it's very common to drop the '-e' at the end of 'ich' forms.

2

so gegen

This combination means 'around' or 'approximately'. 'Gegen' alone can also mean 'around' when referring to time, but 'so gegen' emphasizes the approximation even more, making it sound very natural.

3

22 Uhr

'Uhr' means 'o'clock' or 'hour' and is used after the number to specify the time. Germans often use the 24-hour clock, so 22 Uhr is 10 PM.

4

ins Bett

This is a contraction of 'in das Bett' (into the bed). It's the standard idiomatic expression for 'to bed' when referring to the act of going to sleep.

🗨In Conversation

A

Wann gehst du normalerweise ins Bett?

When do you usually go to bed?

Ich geh so gegen 22 Uhr ins Bett.

I go to bed around 10 PM.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich gehe um 22 Uhr ins Bett.

    Using 'um' implies an exact time, not an approximation. 'Gegen' is used for 'around' or 'approximately'.

  • Ich gehe so gegen 22 Uhr in Bett.

    The correct prepositional phrase is 'ins Bett' (in das Bett), meaning 'into the bed' or 'to bed'.

  • Ich gehe so gegen 22 Uhr zu Bett.

    While 'zu Bett gehen' is grammatically correct and means 'to go to bed', 'ins Bett gehen' is more common and natural in everyday speech.

↔Alternatives

  • Ich gehe um 22 Uhr ins Bett.

    I go to bed at 10 PM.

  • Ich lege mich gegen 22 Uhr schlafen.

    I lie down to sleep around 10 PM.

  • Ich gehe gegen 22 Uhr zu Bett.

    I go to bed around 10 PM.

de

Cultural Tip

Germans generally value punctuality, but 'so gegen' allows for a polite and common way to express flexibility regarding time. While 10 PM might be considered a typical bedtime for adults on a weekday, it can vary greatly. It's common to discuss daily routines, and this phrase fits perfectly into such conversations.