German Phrase
Ich hoffe, der Strom bleibt an.
Meaning
Literally, 'I hope the electricity stays on.' The speaker expresses a wish that the power supply will not be interrupted, often during a storm, a blackout, or while using appliances that need continuous electricity.
When to use
Use this sentence when you want to voice optimism about the power staying on, for example during a thunderstorm, after a power outage, or when someone is about to start cooking and you don’t want the electricity to cut off.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Ichhoffe,derStrombleibtan.
hoffen (verb)
hoffen is a regular verb meaning 'to hope'. In the first person singular present it becomes 'hoffe'.
bleiben + an (separable verb)
bleiben can be combined with the particle 'an' to mean 'to stay on' (e.g., a light stays on). The particle stays at the end of the clause.
der Strom (noun)
Strom is a masculine noun meaning 'electricity' or 'power'. Its definite article in nominative singular is 'der'.
Comma usage
In German a comma separates the main clause from the subordinate clause introduced by a verb of hoping, wishing, etc.
🗨In Conversation
Der Strom ist gerade ausgefallen.
The electricity just went out.
Ich hoffe, der Strom bleibt an.
I hope the electricity stays on.
✕Common Mistakes
Ich hoffe, dass der Strom bleibt an.
When using 'hoffe' you do not need the conjunction 'dass' if the verb clause follows directly; adding it creates a clumsy structure.
Ich hoffe, der Strom an bleibt.
The particle 'an' must stay at the end of the clause; placing it before the verb is incorrect.
Ich hoffe der Strom bleibt an.
German requires a comma before the clause that follows 'hoffe'.
↔Alternatives
Ich wünsche mir, dass der Strom weiterläuft.
I wish that the electricity keeps running.
Hoffentlich bleibt der Strom an.
Hopefully the electricity stays on.
Ich hoffe, dass der Strom nicht ausfällt.
I hope the electricity doesn’t fail.
Cultural Tip
In Germany, discussions about "Strom" often involve reliability and sustainability. When talking about power outages, Germans may mention "Stromausfall" and may use a calm, factual tone. The phrase is neutral and works in both informal and semi‑formal contexts, but avoid overly dramatic language unless you’re in a casual setting with friends.