bis
until
As a preposition or conjunction indicating an endpoint in time.
EXAMPLE
Warte bitte, bis ich zurückkomme.
Please wait until I come back.
bis
until / to
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Meanings
bis
to / as far as
As a preposition indicating a spatial endpoint or destination.
EXAMPLE
Dieser Zug fährt nur bis Köln.
This train only goes as far as Cologne.
bis zu
up to
Indicates an upper limit or maximum for an amount, degree, or number.
EXAMPLE
Das Auto kann eine Geschwindigkeit von bis zu 200 km/h erreichen.
The car can reach a speed of up to 200 km/h.
bis auf
except for
Means 'außer' (except) or 'mit Ausnahme von' (with the exception of).
EXAMPLE
Bis auf den Fahrer wurden alle Insassen verletzt.
Except for the driver, all the passengers were injured.
Usage tips
Use with prepositions
When 'bis' is followed by a noun with an article or adjective, you usually need a second preposition such as 'zu' or 'in'. Before place and time expressions without an article, 'bis' often stands alone.
EXAMPLE
Fahren Sie bitte nur bis zur nächsten Ampel.
Please drive only as far as the next traffic light.
Sentence structure as a conjunction
When 'bis' introduces a subordinate clause, it is a conjunction. The conjugated verb then comes at the end of the clause.
EXAMPLE
Ich warte hier, bis du mit der Arbeit fertig bist.
I'll wait here until you are finished with the work.
Fixed expressions
In everyday language, 'bis' is used in many short farewell formulas to suggest a future point in time.
EXAMPLE
Wir sehen uns morgen. Bis dann!
See you tomorrow. Until then!
Indicating an upper limit
The combination 'bis zu' (up to) is used to indicate a maximum number or an upper limit. It emphasizes that the stated limit is not exceeded.
EXAMPLE
In diesem Aufzug dürfen bis zu acht Personen mitfahren.
Up to eight people may ride in this elevator.
Exception with accusative
The expression 'bis auf' means 'außer' (except) and is almost always used with the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Der Raum war leer, bis auf einen alten Stuhl in der Ecke.
The room was empty except for an old chair in the corner.
Compare with
bis vs nach
to / after / according to
Nach names a place as a general travel destination. Bis presents the same place as the spatial endpoint or boundary of a route. If you name the destination, you travel nach Berlin; if you emphasize that the journey ends there and does not continue, you travel bis Berlin.
bis
Morgen fährt der Zug nur bis Berlin.
Tomorrow the train goes only as far as Berlin.
nach
Morgen fährt der Zug nach Berlin.
Tomorrow the train goes to Berlin.
In real life
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