timely / prompt
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timely / promptly
Within a short period of time after a specific event or point in time; without delay or soon afterward.
Bitte reichen Sie die Unterlagen zeitnah ein, die Frist endet nächste Woche.
Please submit the documents promptly; the deadline is next week.
The word is made up of 'Zeit' (time) and 'nah' (near). So it literally means 'near in time' and describes a short deadline or a small time gap.
Eine zeitnahe Reaktion auf Kundenanfragen ist sehr wichtig.
A prompt response to customer inquiries is very important.
'Zeitnah' (timely / promptly) can be used as an adjective before a noun or as an adverb to describe a verb. Both uses are very common.
Wir benötigen eine zeitnahe Entscheidung.
We need a timely decision.
This word is used mainly in formal written language, as is common in offices, government agencies, or business contexts. It is used less often in everyday colloquial speech.
Der Bericht muss zeitnah fertiggestellt werden.
The report must be completed promptly.
Common verbs combined with 'zeitnah' (promptly) are 'erledigen' (to take care of), 'bearbeiten' (to process), 'informieren' (to inform), and 'antworten' (to reply). Typical nouns are 'Lösung' (solution), 'Bearbeitung' (processing), or 'Reaktion' (reaction).
Wir bemühen uns um eine zeitnahe Bearbeitung Ihres Antrags.
We are making every effort to process your application promptly.
soon / almost
'bald' and 'zeitnah' both say that something is not far in the future. 'bald' is simple and very common in everyday speech: you use it when something is expected to happen in a short time. 'zeitnah' sounds more matter-of-fact and is often used in work, administration, or planning. It emphasizes that something should happen shortly after an event or as soon as possible afterward. In conversation with friends, people usually say 'bald'. For appointments, replies, or tasks, 'zeitnah' often sounds more precise.
Bitte schicken Sie uns die fehlenden Unterlagen zeitnah zu.
Please send us the missing documents promptly.
Der Bus kommt bald, deshalb warten wir noch hier.
The bus is coming soon, so we’ll wait here a bit longer.