German Phrase
Gibt's noch was vorzubereiten?
Meaning
Literally, "Is there still something to prepare?" It is a casual way to ask whether any tasks, dishes, or documents still need to be readied before moving on.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal settings – at work when checking a to‑do list, in the kitchen before a meal, or among friends planning an event. It signals that you want to make sure nothing has been forgotten.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Gibt'snochwasvorzubereiten?
Gibt's (Gibt es)
Contraction of "gibt es" (there is/are). Used in informal spoken German; the verb "geben" is impersonal and always takes "es" as a dummy subject.
noch
Adverb meaning "still" or "anymore"; placed after the verb in questions.
was
Colloquial form of "etwas" (something). In spoken German, "was" is often used after "noch" to ask about any remaining items.
vorzubereiten
Infinitive with the prefix "vor-" meaning "to prepare in advance". After "gibt es" the infinitive functions as a noun‑like complement.
Word order in yes‑no questions
German yes‑no questions start with the finite verb (or its contraction) followed by any adverbs, then the subject or dummy "es", then the rest of the sentence.
🗨In Conversation
Gibt's noch was vorzubereiten?
Is there anything else to prepare?
Ja, noch die Salatdressings und die Dessertschale.
Yes, the salad dressings and the dessert bowl still need to be prepared.
✕Common Mistakes
Gibt es noch was vorzubereiten?
In casual speech the contraction "Gibt's" is preferred; using the full form sounds stilted unless you are in a formal setting.
Gibt's noch was zu vorbereiten?
The infinitive after "gibt es" does not need the preposition "zu"; "vorzubereiten" already contains the prefix.
Gibt's noch etwas zu vorbereiten?
Mixing "etwas" with the infinitive "zu vorbereiten" is grammatically possible but changes the nuance; the idiomatic short version uses "was" without "zu".
↔Alternatives
Gibt es noch etwas vorzubereiten?
Is there anything else to prepare?
Musst du noch etwas vorbereiten?
Do you still have to prepare something?
Fehlt noch etwas zum Vorbereiten?
Is anything still missing for preparation?
Cultural Tip
The contraction "Gibt's" is typical of spoken German and is rarely used in formal writing. In the north of Germany you’ll hear it even more often, while in the south speakers may prefer the full form "Gibt es". When asking in a professional context, stick to the full form to keep the tone polite.