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German Phrase

Ich bin da.

/ɪç bɪn daː/
Meaning"I am here."
💡

Meaning

Literally “I am there,” but in everyday German it means “I am here” or “I’m present.” It is often used to confirm one’s arrival or availability.

🎯

When to use

Use it when answering the doorbell, a phone call, a meeting invitation, or any situation where you need to let someone know you have arrived or are present.

✦Grammar Breakdown

Ichbinda

1

Personal pronoun

"Ich" is the first‑person singular pronoun, used for the speaker.

2

Verb "sein" (to be)

"bin" is the present‑tense, first‑person singular form of the irregular verb "sein".

3

Adverb of place

"da" indicates location (here/there) and can also function as a filler in colloquial speech.

🗨In Conversation

A

Bist du schon im Büro?

Are you already in the office?

Ja, ich bin da.

Yes, I’m here.

B

✕Common Mistakes

  • Ich bin da morgen.

    Learners sometimes use "da" to talk about future plans (e.g., "Ich bin da morgen"), but the correct structure is "Ich bin morgen da".

  • Du bin da.

    Using "sein" in the wrong person, e.g., "Du bin da"; the verb must agree with the subject.

↔Alternatives

  • Ich bin hier.

    I am here.

  • Hier bin ich.

    Here I am.

  • Ich bin anwesend.

    I am present.

de

Cultural Tip

In German "da" can be a bit more informal than "hier". Native speakers often use "da" when they are already in the vicinity of the listener (e.g., at the door). In formal written contexts, "hier" is preferred for clarity.