23 German Idioms To Spice Up Your Conversa-

tions
LearnOutLive · Thursday, May 4th, 2023

Have you ever been in a conversation with a native German speaker and found
yourself struggling to keep up? Do you feel like you’re missing out on cultural
references and inside jokes? If so, you may want to consider learning German
idioms.

In this article, we will explore the world of German idioms, why they are impor-
tant to learn, how to learn them, and provide some common examples.

What are German Idioms?

Let’s start with the basics. What exactly are German idioms? An idiom is a
group of words whose meaning cannot be inferred from the individual
words themselves. In other words, the phrase means something different than
the literal meanings of the words would suggest.

Idioms are commonly used in everyday conversation, and mastering them is es-
sential to understanding and participating in German language and culture.

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German idioms can be tricky for language learners because they are often based
on cultural, historical, or regional references.

For example, the phrase “Da steppt der Bär” translates to “The bear (step-)-
dances there,” but its actual meaning is “It’s a great party!” Back in the day,
when there was excitement in a town, it was often due to a circus or fair.

During these events, it was common to have a bear perform tricks, and some
were even trained to dance, giving rise to the phrase “the bear is dancing” as a
way to describe a lively and exciting atmosphere.

“Da steppt der Bär!”

Why Are German Idioms Important to Learn?

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So, why should you bother learning German idioms? The answer is simple:
idioms make language more colorful, expressive, and natural. If you want to
speak German like a native, you need to learn how to use idioms correctly.

Idioms also convey cultural and historical context. They provide a window into
the way Germans think and feel about certain topics, such as relationships, work,
and food.

For example, the idiom “Den Teufel an die Wand malen” translates to “Painting
the devil on the wall,” but its meaning is “to be overly pessimistic.” The original
wording of this expression was: “Man braucht den Teufel nicht über die Tür zu
malen, er kommt von selbst ins Haus.“ (You don’t need to paint the devil on the
door, he comes into the house by himself.”)

As it was believed that certain symbols could summon evil spirits, painting the
devil was at least as feared as naming him. Historically, as superstitious thinking
gave way to more rational thought this phrase now simply admonishes to not be
overly pessimistic and to fear the worst.

“Den Teufel an die Wand malen.”

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Furthermore, using idioms in conversation can make you sound more fluent and
confident. It shows that you have a deeper understanding of the language and are
comfortable using it in a variety of contexts.

What Are Some Common German Idioms and Their Mean-

ings?

Now that you know how to learn German idioms, let’s take a look at some com-
mon examples:

“Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei”. Translation: Everything
has an end, only the sausage has two. Meaning: This idiom is used to con-
vey that all good things must come to an end. It emphasizes the fleeting na-
ture of life’s pleasures and the inevitability of change.
“Aus dem Schneider sein”. Translation: To be out of the woods (literally
“cutter”). Meaning: This idiom is used to convey that someone has escaped
from a difficult situation. It suggests that the danger has passed and that ev-
erything is now okay.
“Da liegt der Hase im Pfeffer”. Translation: There lies the rabbit in the
pepper. Meaning: This idiom is used to describe a problem or difficulty that
has been discovered. It suggests that the root of the problem has been
found.
“Die Daumen drücken”. Translation: To press one’s thumbs. Meaning:
This idiom is used to convey good luck or to express support. It suggests
that the speaker is hoping for a positive outcome. Note the subtle difference
vs English: “to cross one’s fingers”.

Do German Idioms Have Equivalents in Other Languages?

German idioms are unique to the German language and culture, but many idioms
have equivalents in other languages. However, it is important to note that idioms
can vary widely from language to language, even when the literal translation
seems the same.

For example, the English idiom “Don’t count your chickens until they are
hatched.” has an equivalent in German, “Das Fell des Bären verteilen, bevor er
erlegt ist,” which translates to “Divide the bear’s fur before it has been shot.” Al-
though the meaning is similar, the references are completely different.

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Funny German Idioms

“Du gehst mir auf den Keks!”

German idioms can be humorous and quirky. Here are a few examples of funny
German idioms:

“Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof”. Translation: I only understand train station.

Meaning: This idiom is used to convey that someone does not understand
anything. It suggests that the speaker is completely lost and confused.
“Du gehst mir auf den Keks”. Translation: You’re walking on my cookie.
Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone who is annoying or
bothering you.
“Einen Kater haben”. Translation: To have a tomcat. Meaning: This
idiom is used to describe a hangover. It suggests that the person feels as if a
tomcat is clawing at their head.

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 “Es ist mir Wurst”. Translation: It’s sausage to me. Meaning: This idiom
is used to describe something that doesn’t matter. It suggests that the per-
son doesn’t care one way or the other.

Now let’s look at some more idioms from various areas of life:

German Idioms about Love and Relationships:

“Auf Wolke Sieben schweben”. Translation: To float on cloud nine. Mean-
ing: This idiom is used to describe someone who is very happy and content.
It suggests that the person is experiencing pure bliss. (Note the difference
of 7 -> 9 between German and English.
“Hals über Kopf verliebt sein”. Translation: To be head over heels in
love (literally “neck over head”). Meaning: This idiom is used to describe
someone who is deeply in love. It suggests that the person is completely
consumed by their feelings for another.
“Jemandem Honig um den Mund schmieren”. Translation: To smear
honey around someone’s mouth. Meaning: This idiom is used to describe
someone who is trying to flatter or sweet-talk someone. It suggests that the
person is being insincere.

German Idioms about Food and Drink:

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 “Tomaten auf den Augen haben”

“Die Suppe auslöffeln müssen.” Translation: To have to spoon out the

soup. Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone who has to face the
consequences of their actions. It suggests that the person must take responsi-
bility for their mistakes.
“In den sauren Apfel beißen.” Translation: To bite into the sour apple.
Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone who has to do something
unpleasant. It suggests that the person must endure a difficult situation.
“Das ist kalter Kaffee.” Translation: That’s cold coffee. Meaning: This
idiom is used to describe something that is old or outdated. It suggests that
the thing in question is no longer relevant.
“Tomaten auf den Augen haben.” Translation: To have tomatoes on your

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 eyes. Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone who is not paying
attention. It suggests that the person is unaware of what is going on around
them.
“Wie eine beleidigte Leberwurst.” Translation: Like an offended liver-
wurst. Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone who is easily of-
fended or upset. It suggests that the person is being overly sensitive.

German Idioms about Animals and Nature:

“Wie die Kuh vom Eis kommen.” Translation: To come off the ice like a
cow. Meaning: This idiom is used to describe a difficult situation that has
been resolved. It suggests that the person has come out of a dangerous or
challenging situation unscathed.
“Der Fisch stinkt vom Kopf her.” Translation: The fish stinks from the
head. Meaning: This idiom is used to describe a situation where the
problem comes from the top. It suggests that the leaders or decision-makers
are responsible for the issue.
“Eine Schnecke sein.” Translation: To be a snail. Meaning: This idiom is
used to describe someone who is slow or takes a long time to do something.
It suggests that the person moves at a leisurely pace, like a snail.
“Wie die Made im Speck leben”. Translation: To live like the maggot in
the bacon. Meaning: This idiom is used to describe someone who lives a
life of luxury and abundance. It suggests that the person has everything
they need and want, just like a maggot living in a piece of bacon.
“Mit jemandem ein Hühnchen rupfen”. Translation: To pluck a chicken
with someone. Meaning: This idiom is used to describe a situation where
someone needs to have a serious talk or confrontation with someone else. It
suggests that the conversation will be intense and may involve conflict, just
like plucking a chicken can be a messy and difficult task.

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 “Sei keine Schnecke!”

How Can You Learn German Idioms?

Now that you understand why German idioms are important, let’s explore how
to learn them. Here are a few methods you can try:

1. Watch German TV Shows and Movies

One of the best ways to learn idioms is to hear them in context. By watching Ger-
man TV shows and movies, you can immerse yourself in the language and pick
up on idioms naturally. Pay attention to the context in which the idiom is used
and try to deduce its meaning.

2. Read German Literature

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Reading German literature can expose you to idiomatic language and provide cul-
tural context. German authors often use idioms in their writing, and by reading
their works, you can gain a better understanding of the language and culture.

3. Use Language Learning Apps

There are many language learning apps that offer lessons on German idioms.
Look for lessons that include explanations and examples. Additionally, down-
load worksheets designed to practice idioms.

4. Speak with Native German Speakers

Speaking with native German speakers is one of the best ways to learn idioms.
They can provide you with real-world examples and help you understand the cul-
tural and historical context behind the idioms. Practice using idioms in conversa-
tion and ask for feedback on your usage.

Conclusion

Learning idioms can be both fun and challenging, but it’s important to remember
that it takes time and practice to become proficient.

It’s also worth noting that idioms can be very context-dependent and may have
multiple meanings depending on the situation. Thus, it’s important to pay atten-
tion to the context in which they are used and to be aware of any cultural or his-
torical references that may be involved.

By learning idioms through different methods such as watching TV shows and

movies, reading literature, using language learning apps, and speaking with na-
tive German speakers, you can improve your language skills and feel more confi-
dent when speaking or writing in German.

So, embrace the world of German idioms, and who knows, you may even find
yourself having a “Lachanfall” (laughing fit) the next time you use one in conver-
sation.

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