German Phrase
Sag uns bitte vorher Bescheid.
Meaning
A polite request asking the listener to let the speaker (and others) know something ahead of time. It is often used when you need advance notice about plans, changes, or arrivals.
When to use
Use this phrase when you need someone to inform you before an event or decision – e.g., before a meeting is rescheduled, before a delivery arrives, or when a friend should tell you about a change of plans. It works in both casual and semi‑formal settings, but in very formal contexts you might prefer the ‘Sie‑form’.
✦Grammar Breakdown
SagunsbittevorherBescheid
Imperative (Sag)
‘Sag’ is the du‑imperative of the verb ‘sagen’ (to say). It is used for informal commands.
Dative pronoun (uns)
‘uns’ is the dative form of ‘wir’; it marks the people who should receive the information.
Polite particle (bitte)
‘bitte’ softens the request and makes it courteous.
Adverb (vorher)
‘vorher’ means ‘in advance’ or ‘beforehand’ and modifies the whole request.
Fixed expression (Bescheid geben)
‘Bescheid’ is a noun that normally appears in the phrase ‘jemandem Bescheid geben’ (to inform someone). In the imperative you can say ‘Sag uns Bescheid’ or ‘Gib uns Bescheid’.
🗨In Conversation
Wir müssen das Projekt bis Freitag abschließen.
We have to finish the project by Friday.
Sag uns bitte vorher Bescheid, wenn du den Termin verschieben willst.
Please let us know in advance if you want to move the deadline.
✕Common Mistakes
Sag uns bitte vorher den Bescheid.
‘Bescheid’ is used without an article in this idiom; adding ‘den’ makes the phrase sound unnatural.
Sagen Sie uns bitte vorher Bescheid.
While grammatically possible, native speakers prefer ‘Geben Sie uns bitte vorher Bescheid’ in formal contexts.
↔Alternatives
Bitte gib uns vorher Bescheid.
Please give us notice beforehand.
Informiere uns bitte im Voraus.
Inform us in advance, please.
Lass uns bitte vorher wissen.
Let us know beforehand, please.
Cultural Tip
‘Bescheid geben’ is a very common German idiom for ‘to inform’. In informal speech ‘Sag uns Bescheid’ is perfectly natural, but in business emails or formal conversations you’ll often see the polite form ‘Geben Sie uns bitte vorher Bescheid.’ The word order can also be flexible – ‘Bitte sag uns vorher Bescheid’ is equally correct.