DRAN

Dran is a German-language term that appears most often in informal speech as a contraction of daran, meaning “on it” or “at that matter.” It is commonly used to indicate who is next to act, respond, or take responsibility. In everyday conversation, dran functions similarly to “it’s my turn” or “you’re up.” For example, someone might say, “Ich bin dran” to indicate that they are the next to do something, or “Du bist dran” to tell someone else they are next. In formal writing, the full form daran is typically preferred; dran is characteristic of casual or dialogic language.

Etymology and usage: Dran derives from the preposition an with the relative pronoun daran, compacted in spoken language. The meaning is tied to taking up a task, decision, or obligation that has been discussed or assigned. While dran is found in many dialects of German, its acceptability and formality can vary by region and context. The expression can refer to concrete tasks (completing a chore) or abstract responsibilities (making a choice, answering a question).

Other uses: As a proper noun, dran occurs only rarely and is not a widely documented name in standard reference works. It may appear as a surname or as part of a place-name in certain language contexts, but such uses are uncommon and not central to the term’s main recognition.

See also: daran, German grammar, colloquial German.