Fertig and bereit – what’s the difference?

Quick Answer: Fertig = finished, done, completed (the task is over). Bereit = ready, prepared (waiting to begin). If someone asks “Bist du fertig?” they want to know if you have finished. If they ask “Bist du bereit?” they want to know if you are prepared to start.

Key Takeaways

• Fertig = done, finished, completed (action is over)
• Bereit = ready, prepared (waiting to start)
• Fertig mit + Dativ = done with something
• Bereit fur + Akkusativ / bereit zu + Infinitiv = ready for something
• Fertig can ALSO mean exhausted (“Ich bin fertig” = I am wiped out)

Comparison Table

The Classic Mistake

Your teacher asks: “Sind Sie fur die Prufung bereit?” (Are you ready for the exam?)

You answer: “Ja, ich bin fertig!”

Problem: You just said you already finished the exam – which has not even started yet. The correct answer is “Ja, ich bin bereit!”

After the exam, you CAN say “Ich bin fertig” – because now the action is complete.

How to Use Fertig

1. Finished/Done with something (fertig mit + Dativ):

• Ich bin mit dem Gesprach fertig. – I am done with the conversation.
• Bist du mit dem Essen fertig? – Are you done eating?
• Sie ist fast mit der Vorbereitung fertig. – She is almost done preparing.

2. Something is completed/ready (product):

• Das Essen ist fertig! – The food is ready! (cooking is done)
• Der Bericht ist fertig. – The report is finished.
• Das Haus ist endlich fertig. – The house is finally complete.

3. Exhausted (colloquial):

• Ich bin fertig. – I am exhausted/wiped out.
• Du siehst fertig aus. – You look exhausted.
• Mein Chef macht mich fertig. – My boss is wearing me out.

How to Use Bereit

1. Ready for something (bereit fur + Akkusativ):

• Ich bin fur die Prufung bereit. – I am ready for the exam.
• Seid ihr fur die Reise bereit? – Are you ready for the trip?
• Wir sind fur alles bereit. – We are ready for anything.

2. Ready to do something (bereit zu + Infinitiv):

• Ich bin bereit zu gehen. – I am ready to go.
• Sie ist bereit, mir zu helfen. – She is ready to help me.
• Bist du bereit aufzustehen? – Are you ready to get up?

3. Willing (psychological readiness):

• Er ist bereit, alles zu tun. – He is willing to do anything.
• Sind Sie bereit, Risiken einzugehen? – Are you willing to take risks?

When They Overlap

Sometimes fertig CAN mean ready – when preparation is complete:

• Auf die Platze, fertig, los! – On your marks, get set, go!
• Der Zug ist fertig zur Abfahrt. – The train is ready to depart.
• Sie macht sich fertig. – She is getting ready. (preparing herself)

In these cases, the preparation process is complete, making the subject ready for what comes next.

Common Expressions

With fertig:

• fertig werden mit – to finish with, to cope with
• jemanden fertig machen – to wear someone out, to finish someone off
• sich fertig machen – to get ready (prepare oneself)
• Fertig! – Done! / Finished!

With bereit:

• bereit sein – to be ready/willing
• sich bereit erklaren – to declare oneself willing
• bereit halten – to have ready, to keep at hand

For more word pairs like this, check out our article on gleich, gerade, eben differences.

FAQ

How do I say “I am ready” to leave a restaurant?

If you finished eating: “Ich bin fertig” (done eating). If you mean ready to pay and go: “Ich mochte zahlen” or “Wir sind bereit zu gehen.” Context usually makes it clear.

What does “Ich bin fertig mit dir” mean?

It means “I am done with you” – usually in an angry way, implying the relationship or conversation is over. It is quite harsh and final.

Can I say “Ich bin fertig fur die Party”?

This works if you mean you are dressed and prepared (finished getting ready). “Ich bin bereit fur die Party” emphasizes you are ready to go/start. Both can work, but bereit sounds more natural for “ready to attend.”

Is there a word that means both finished AND ready?

Not really. German distinguishes between completed (fertig) and prepared (bereit) more strictly than English does with “ready.” This is actually helpful once you get used to it – the meaning is clearer. Check out our essential German verbs list for more vocabulary.