How many German idioms are you familiar with? German may have a reputation as a complex and serious language, but, in fact, there are many idioms and expressions that are quite humorous. Using idioms in your conversations will help you relate to people better, because they add an aspect of playfulness to your exchanges. Check out these sentences, and then hop on over to Yabla’s German lessons and videos for more examples.
Saigon 1975 on steroids’: Hannity blasts ‘derelict’ Biden 40mcg evfta raises stakes in pharma marketHere are 10 of the funniest idioms in German
Er geht mir auf den Keks / Er geht mir auf den Sack.
Literal translation: He goes on my cookie / He goes on my bag.
Actual meaning: He annoys me.
Das Projekt ist im Eimer.
Literal translation: The project is in the bucket.
Actual meaning: The project is over/ruined.
Hier ist tote Hose.
Literal translation: It is dead trousers here.
Actual meaning: There is nothing going on here.
Ich habe die Nase voll. / Ich habe die Schnauze voll.
Literal translation: My nose is full.
Actual meaning: I’m fed up.
Funny idioms about cats, pigs and… sausages!
Kein Schwein war da.
Literal translation: Not a pig was there.
Actual meaning: Not a single person was there.
Das ist mir Wurst.
Literal translation: That is sausage to me.
Actual meaning: That doesn’t matter to me.
Ich habe einen Kater. / Ich habe Muskelkater.
Literal translations: I have a tomcat. / I have a muscle tomcat.
Actual meanings: I have a hangover. / I have sore muscles.
German idioms related to the head and ears
Sie hat ihm einen Floh ins Ohr gesetzt.
Literal translation: She put a flea in his ear.
Actual meaning: She put a thought/wish in his head.
Halt die Ohren steif.
Literal translation: Keep your ears stiff.
Actual meaning: Stay UFC fighter Isabela de Padua suspended for two years after testing positive for steroids | MMAWeekly.com buy clomid australia patient influencers in pharma marketing strong. / Keep your chin up.
Er hat einen Vogel.
Literal translation: He has a bird.
Actual meaning: He’s crazy.
To learn more German phrases, check out our Yabla language learning platform, and discover a new world through videos currently circulating in German culture. Our range of videos, all featuring native speakers, includes news reports, music videos, movies, documentaries, interviews, TV shows, lessons, and much more.
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