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Learning German? Don’t “make an ape of yourself”. Speak like a native with these 27 Hilarious Everyday German Idioms and expressions.
I love German idioms because theyare full of references to popular German foods like sausages, bread rolls, and mustard! Yum! Not only does this give you insight into its culture and history but it’s quirky references like these that help you remember such things.
When you first start out speaking a foreign language, you’ll have quite a few near misses. Sometimes you’ll translate things literally, or simply forget to apply a grammar rule. This happens with the German language and all many other languages. Whether you’re a beginner, intermediate or in need of a refresher, check out these popular German coursesby German teacher Kerstin Cable from Fluent Languages.
Idiomatic phrasesareessential to helping sounding like a native and sometimes only an idiom can help you express exactly what you mean. That’s why I’ve organised an impressive listof common German idiomswith their literal translations plus their English equivalent. Viel Glück! (Good luck!)
1. ein Fisch auf dem Trockenen
Literally:a fish on the dry
English Equivalent: a fish out of water
2. Da liegt der Hund begraben
Literally: That’s where the dog is buried
English Equivalent: That’s the heart of the matter
3. Die Daumen drücken!
Literally: Press the thumbs!
English Equivalent: Keep your fingers crossed!
Viel Glück! Ich drücke dir die Daumen!
(Good luck! I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you!)
4. Wo sich Fuchs und Hase gute Nacht sagen
Literally:Where fox and hare say goodnight to one another
English Equivalent: In the middle of nowhere or out in the sticks
5. Ich bin fix und fertig
Literally: I’m quick and ready
English Equivalent: I’m wiped out or I’m exhausted
6. Du nimmst mich auf den Arm!
Literally: You’re taking me on your arm!
English Equivalent: You’re pulling my leg!
7. Das ist ein Katzensprung
Literally: That’s a cat’s jump
English Equivalent: It’s a stone’s throw away
8. Schlafen wie ein Murmeltier
Literally: Sleep like a woodchuck [marmot]
English Equivalent: Sleep like a log
9. um den heißen Brei herumreden
Literally: to talk around the hot porridge
English Equivalent: to beat around the bush
10. Da kannst du Gift drauf nehmen
Literally: You can take poison on that
English Equivalent: You can bet your life on that
11. sich zum Affen machen
Literally: Make an ape ofyourself
English Equivalent: Make a fool of yourself
12. zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen
Literally: kill two flies with one swat
English Equivalent: to kill two birds with one stone
13. eine Extrawurst haben
Literally: to ask for an extra sausage
English Equivalent: to ask for special treatment
14. Himmel und Hölle in Bewegung setzen
Literally: put heaven and hell in motion
English Equivalent: to move heaven and earth
15. Da steppt der Bär
Literally: The bear dances there
English Equivalent: It will be a good party
A similar phrase to this is ‘the burning air’ with an identical meaning:
Da brennt die Luft!
16. Tomaten auf den Augen haben
Literally: to have tomatoes on one’s eyes
English Equivalent: to be oblivious to what is going around you
17. den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen
Literally: to hit the nail on the head
English Equivalent: to hit the nail on the head
18. Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof
Literally: I only understand “train station.”
English Equivalent: It’s all Greek to me
19. weggehen wie warme Semmeln
Literally: Go like warm rolls
English Equivalent: Go or sell like hot cakes
20. Er muss zu allem seinen Senf dazugeben
Literally:To add your mustard to it
English Equivalent: Give their two cents worth
21. wie seine Westentasche kennen
Literally: to know something like one’s waistcoat pocket
English Equivalent: to know like the back of one’s hand
22. Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend loben
Literally: Don’t praise the day before the evening.
English Equivalent: Don’t count your chicks before they hatch
23. ein Ohr abkauen
Literally: to chew someone’s ear off
English Equivalent: to talk someone’s ear off
24. klar wie Kloßbrühe
Literally: clear as dumpling broth
English Equivalent: crystal clear
25. dumm wie Bohnenstroh
Literally: as dumb as a bean straw
English Equivalent: as thick as a brick
26. die Kirche im Dorf lassen
Literally: to leave the church in the village
English Equivalent: to not get carried away
27. ich habe Schwein gehabt
Literally:I’ve had a pig!
English equivalent:I’ve had a stroke of luck!
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Travelling to Germany?make sure you brush up on your German travel phrases.
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Over to you!
Which one of these hilarious German expressions is your favourite? Do you know any other German idioms?
Let me know using thecomments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.
Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.
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Michele
Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. What separates her from other instructors is her ability to explain complex grammar in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner using her unique 80/20 method. Get her free guide 9 reasons you’re not fluent…YET & how to fix it! Planning a trip? Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today!
