German · Real conversations
Ask for a progress update naturally in German
An update request can be conversational, tied to a specific delivery, or considerate of a colleague's time. Name the subject so the person knows what information is needed.
Three ways to say it
Wie läuft das Projekt?
How is the project going?
Ask about progress in a routine colleague conversation.
Gibt es Neuigkeiten zur Lieferung?
Do you have an update on the delivery?
Request new information about a specific delivery.
Wenn du einen Moment Zeit hast, könntest du mir den aktuellen Stand sagen?
When you have a moment, could you let me know where things stand?
Ask for the current status while acknowledging the person's availability.
Avoid translating word by word
English 'where things stand' asks about the current state of progress, not where objects are physically standing. Use the complete expression for status or progress shown in the target language.
See the difference in context
Discussing a colleague's project
Ich arbeite am neuen Projekt.
I've been working on the new project.
Wie läuft das Projekt?
How is the project going?
Following up about a delivery
Du hast mich gestern nach der Lieferung gefragt.
You asked me about the delivery yesterday.
Gibt es Neuigkeiten zur Lieferung?
Do you have an update on the delivery?
Your turn
Ask a colleague for the current status when they have a moment. State the timing condition and the information you need.
Reveal a sample reply
Wenn du einen Moment Zeit hast, könntest du mir den aktuellen Stand sagen?
When you have a moment, could you let me know where things stand?
This speaking goal in other languages
A note on speaking German
Use Sie for formal address and du with people you address informally. Könnten Sie …? is a useful polite request. Keep noun capitals and the verb position shown in each complete sentence.
The examples preserve German accents and ß. Read a full sentence before replacing a detail: a subordinate clause can move the verb to the end, and case can change an article or pronoun.
