German Phrase
Halte deine Kontonummer vorher bereit.
Meaning
The sentence tells the listener to have their bank account number ready before the next step, e.g., before a phone call or a transaction. It combines an imperative verb with a possessive object and two adverbial elements.
When to use
Use this phrase when you want to remind someone to prepare their account details in advance – for example, before a phone call to a bank, an online purchase, or a money‑transfer request.
✦Grammar Breakdown
HaltedeineKontonummervorherbereit.
Imperative (Halte)
‘Halte’ is the du‑imperative of the verb *halten* (to hold/keep). It is used for direct commands.
Possessive Pronoun (deine)
‘deine’ is the accusative form of the possessive pronoun *dein* and agrees with the feminine noun *Kontonummer*.
Noun Gender & Case (Kontonummer)
*Kontonummer* is a feminine noun; in the accusative it stays *die Kontonummer* but the article is omitted because of the possessive pronoun.
Adverb (vorher)
‘vorher’ means ‘beforehand’ or ‘in advance’ and modifies the whole clause, indicating when the action should be done.
Adjective as Predicative (bereit)
‘bereit’ is used predicatively after *halten* to describe the state of the object – ‘ready’.
🗨In Conversation
Wir müssen das Geld jetzt überweisen. Hast du deine Kontodaten?
We have to transfer the money now. Do you have your account details?
Ja, halte deine Kontonummer vorher bereit.
Yes, have your account number ready beforehand.
✕Common Mistakes
Halte deine Kontonummer vorher sein.
‘sein’ cannot be used here; ‘bereit’ is an adjective, not a verb.
Halte dein Kontonummer vorher bereit.
‘Kontonummer’ is feminine, so the possessive must be ‘deine’, not ‘dein’.
Halte deine Kontonummer bereit vorher.
The natural order is ‘vorher bereit’; swapping them sounds awkward.
↔Alternatives
Bereite deine Kontonummer vorher vor.
Prepare your account number beforehand.
Halt deine Kontonummer bereit.
Keep your account number ready.
Stelle sicher, dass du deine Kontonummer vorher hast.
Make sure you have your account number beforehand.
Cultural Tip
In German business and banking contexts, efficiency is prized, so asking someone to have their Kontonummer ready is common. The phrase uses the informal ‘du’; in a formal setting you would say ‘Halten Sie Ihre Kontonummer vorher bereit.’ Also, placing ‘vorher’ after the verb (as in the example) is the most natural order, though ‘vorher’ can also appear earlier for emphasis.