German Phrase
Leg dir eine Ersatznummer parat.
Meaning
The sentence tells someone to keep a spare phone number ready for themselves, so they can use it if the primary number becomes unavailable.
When to use
Use this phrase when giving practical advice, for example before a trip, a conference, or any situation where the main phone line might fail.
✦Grammar Breakdown
LegdireineErsatznummerparat.
Leg (imperative)
‘Leg’ is the du‑imperative of the verb *legen* (to place/put). In this context it means ‘keep’ or ‘have ready’.
dir (dative reflexive)
‘dir’ is the dative form of the reflexive pronoun *du*. With verbs like *legen* that take a dative object, it means ‘for yourself’.
eine (accusative feminine)
‘eine’ is the indefinite article in the accusative case, matching the feminine noun *Ersatznummer*.
Ersatz‑ + Nummer (compound noun)
A compound noun formed from *Ersatz* (replacement) and *Nummer* (number), meaning ‘backup number’.
parat (adjective)
‘parat’ is an adjective meaning ‘ready, at hand’. In the phrase *etwas parat haben* it functions like ‘to have something ready’.
🗨In Conversation
Leg dir eine Ersatznummer parat, falls dein Handy ausfällt.
Keep a backup number handy in case your phone dies.
Gute Idee, ich schreibe sie gleich auf.
Good idea, I’ll write it down right away.
✕Common Mistakes
Leg dir einen Ersatznummer parat.
‘Ersatznummer’ is feminine, so the accusative article must be *eine*, not *einen*.
Leg dir eine Ersatznummer bereit.
‘Bereit’ is an adjective that needs a verb (*haben*). The correct idiom is *parat haben* or *bereit haben*.
Leg dir eine Ersatznummer parat.
When using the formal *Sie* form, the dative pronoun changes to *sich*.
↔Alternatives
Halte dir eine Ersatznummer bereit.
Hold a backup number ready for yourself.
Sorge dafür, dass du eine Ersatznummer hast.
Make sure you have a backup number.
Cultural Tip
‘Parat haben’ is a very common German idiom meaning ‘to have something at hand’. It is informal and works well with the du‑form. In formal contexts you would say *Haben Sie eine Ersatznummer parat?* Also, Germans often write down spare numbers in a phone book or on a small note rather than storing them only digitally.