German Phrase
Ist es okay, wenn Leute nicht kommen?
Meaning
The sentence asks for permission or acceptance: ‘Is it okay if people don’t show up?’ It is a polite way to check whether the speaker’s plan can proceed even when attendance is uncertain.
When to use
Use this phrase in informal or semi‑formal settings when you’re organizing a meeting, a party, or a work session and want to know if it’s still acceptable for some invitees to be absent.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Istesokay,wennLeutenichtkommen?
Verb 'sein' (Ist)
‘Ist’ is the 3rd person singular present of ‘sein’, used here as a copular verb linking the subject ‘es’ with the predicate ‘okay’.
Dummy subject ‘es’
German often uses ‘es’ as a placeholder subject when the real subject is a clause or an abstract idea.
Borrowed adjective ‘okay’
‘Okay’ is an internationally borrowed adjective meaning ‘in order, acceptable’; it behaves like a regular adjective and does not decline.
Subordinate clause with ‘wenn’
‘Wenn’ introduces a conditional/subordinate clause; the finite verb moves to the end of that clause (here ‘kommen’).
Negation ‘nicht’
‘Nicht’ negates the verb and is placed directly before the infinitive ‘kommen’ in this construction.
🗨In Conversation
Ist es okay, wenn Leute nicht kommen?
Is it okay if people don’t come?
Ja, das ist kein Problem. Wir können trotzdem starten.
Yes, that’s no problem. We can start anyway.
✕Common Mistakes
Ist es okay, ob Leute nicht kommen?
‘Wenn’ is correct for a condition; learners sometimes mistakenly use ‘ob’ which changes the meaning to an indirect question.
Ist es okay, wenn Leute kommen nicht?
The negation should stay with the infinitive; placing ‘nicht’ after the verb (e.g., ‘kommen nicht’) is ungrammatical in this structure.
Ist es in Ordnung, wenn Leute nicht kommen?
In very formal writing, ‘okay’ may be replaced by ‘in Ordnung’; using it in casual speech is fine.
↔Alternatives
Ist es in Ordnung, wenn niemand kommt?
Is it all right if nobody comes?
Passt es, wenn einige nicht erscheinen?
Does it work if some don’t show up?
Können wir das machen, auch wenn nicht alle kommen?
Can we do it even if not everyone comes?
Cultural Tip
German speakers appreciate clarity and directness. Using ‘okay’ is perfectly acceptable in everyday conversation, but in more formal contexts you might prefer ‘in Ordnung’ or ‘akzeptabel’. Also, note that ‘wenn’ introduces a condition, whereas ‘ob’ would be used for an indirect yes/no question (e.g., ‘Ob Leute kommen, weiß ich nicht’).