German Phrase
Lass mich kurz in meinen Kalender schauen.
Meaning
This phrase is a polite way to tell someone you need to check your schedule before committing to a plan. The inclusion of 'kurz' (shortly/quickly) suggests that the interruption will be brief and you will provide an answer almost immediately. It is a very common expression in both professional and private life in German-speaking countries.
When to use
Use this phrase when someone proposes a meeting, a date, or an appointment and you aren't 100% sure if you are free. It works perfectly in office environments, over the phone, or when chatting with friends.
✦Grammar Breakdown
LassmichkurzinmeinenKalenderschauen
Lassen
The verb 'lassen' is used here in the imperative form to mean 'let'. It is followed by an accusative object ('mich').
Accusative Case
The phrase 'in meinen Kalender' uses the accusative case because 'in' describes a figurative movement of your gaze into the calendar, and 'Kalender' is masculine.
Word Order
In this construction, the main verb 'schauen' (to look) is placed at the very end of the sentence, which is a standard rule for German auxiliary or modal-like structures.
🗨In Conversation
Hast du am Dienstag um 14 Uhr Zeit für ein Meeting?
Do you have time for a meeting on Tuesday at 2 PM?
Lass mich kurz in meinen Kalender schauen.
Let me quickly look into my calendar.
✕Common Mistakes
Lass mich kurz in mein Kalender schauen.
The preposition 'in' requires the accusative case here, so 'mein' must become 'meinen' for the masculine noun 'Kalender'.
Lass mich kurz an meinen Kalender schauen.
In German, you look 'into' (in) a calendar or book, not 'at' (an) it when checking for information.
↔Alternatives
Ich muss erst mal nachsehen.
I have to check first.
Moment, ich prüfe das kurz.
Wait, I'll check that quickly.
Darf ich kurz meinen Terminkalender prüfen?
May I quickly check my appointment calendar?
Cultural Tip
Germans generally value structured schedules and reliability. Checking your calendar before saying 'yes' is viewed as a sign of being organized and serious about your commitments, rather than being overly busy or dismissive. It is quite common to see people pull out their smartphones or physical planners immediately during a conversation.