Top 25 German Idioms to Speak Like a German

Idioms can be really tricky if you don’t know their meaning. Wishing someone to break their leg doesn’t sound especially friendly. But they are a valuable addition to your vocabulary. For instance, if you want to speak German like a fluent speaker, German idioms are probably the fastest way to get to it.

Once you start learning, the most exciting thing about German idioms is that they feel like learning a super secret code only the fluent speakers understand. As they provide useful insights into German culture and history, including idioms in your day-to-day conversations will make you sound like “one of their own.” So let’s cut to the chase and present you with the essential collection of German idioms designed to up your German game fast.

Common German idioms Germans love

Cambridge Dictionary defines ‘idiom’ as “a group of words in a fixed order that has a particular meaning that is different from the meanings of each word on its own.” For example, to be “over the moon” is an idiom that means you are extremely happy or delighted. In other words, idioms have figurative, non-literal meanings because you’re not literally “over the moon.”

That being said, let’s see what such idioms Germans use the most in their daily interactions.

1. Um den heißen Brei herumreden

Literal translation: To talk around the hot porridge.

Actual meaning: To beat around the bush.

Germans are usually pretty straightforward, but there are times when even they happen to beat around the bush. When such a situation occurs, you can use this idiom to invite them to get straight to the point.

2. Eine Extrawurst haben

Literal translation: To ask for an extra sausage.

Actual meaning: To ask for special treatment.

Germans and sausages go together like… well, Germans and sausages! For this reason, it’s no surprise that their idioms include wursts. Even if the special treatment implies getting more dessert, Germans will still say you’re asking for an extra sausage.

3. Lügen haben kurze Beine

Literal translation: Lies have short legs.

Actual meaning: Lies won’t get you far.

Is someone lying to your face? Better remind them that Lügen haben kurze Beine or lies won’t get them too far with those tiny legs. This idiom is similar to the English expression “Liar, liar, pants on fire.”

4. Ich glaube ich spinne

Literal translation: I believe I spider.

Actual meaning: I think I’m going crazy.

As odd as this one sounds, it will come in very handy in those situations when you can’t believe what you’re hearing or seeing. The English equivalent could be “You’ve got to be kidding me!”.

5. Seinen Senf dazugeben

Literal translation: To add your mustard to it.

Actual meaning: To give your opinion on something./To give your two cents.

Where there are sausages, there also must be mustard. If you want to ask someone for their opinion and sound like a fluent speaker when doing it, you better invite them to add their mustard.

6. Die Kirche im Dorf lassen

Literal translation: Leave the church in the village.

Actual meaning: Don’t get carried away.

If you ever get carried away with excitement, German speakers may advise you die Kirche im Dorf lassen, which means to “leave the church in the village.”

7. Tomaten auf den Augen haben

Literal translation: To have tomatoes on one’s eyes.

Actual meaning: To be oblivious to what’s going on around you.

In Germany, when you are blind to what’s happening around you, people could say you have tomatoes on your eyes. Maybe you’re not up to date with the latest news, or you’re not seeing the truth staring you right in the face. Either way, tomatoes seem to affect your vision.

8. Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof

Literal translation: I can only understand ‘train station.’

Actual meaning: I don’t understand anything./It’s all Greek to me.

The origin of this idiom goes back to World War I when deployed German soldiers would say that the only thing they understood when given orders was ‘train station’ because they hoped to go home. Nowadays, it’s used to say you didn’t comprehend something that was explained to you.

9. Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend loben

Literal translation: One shouldn’t praise the day before the evening.

Actual meaning: Don’t count your chickens before they hatch.

This idiom is perfect for those who usually celebrate their victories prematurely. Its sentiment is similar to the English equivalent “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch. “

10. Da kannst du Gift drauf nehmen

Literal translation: You can take poison on that.

Actual meaning: You can bet your life on that./You can bet on it.

After all the funny idioms about food and animals, it’s time for a more grim one. If you’re absolutely certain of the information you are giving, you can assure the person you are talking to by saying Da kannst du Gift drauf nehmen, which essentially means “you can bet on it.”

11. Du gehst mir auf den Keks

Literal translation: You’re walking on my cookie.

Actual meaning: You’re annoying me.

Now that’s a fun way of saying someone is getting on your nerves! It’s so cute that we’re actually thinking of making a petition to adopt it in English as well. Are you in?

12. Da steppt der Bär

Literal translation: The bear dances there.

Actual meaning: It’s a good party.

There are several ways to look at this one, but the main idea is that the party is so good that the bear will also join it. Or — there’s a dancing bear at the party and you should absolutely not miss it. Either way, this party is probably the best party ever.

13. Das ist ein Katzensprung

Literal translation: That’s a cat’s jump.

Actual meaning: A stone’s throw away.

In Germany, if you want to say that a place is not far from here, you usually say “that’s a cat’s jump.” Way more fun than the English “a stone’s throw away.”

14. Das ist Schnee von gestern

Literal translation: That’s yesterday’s snow.

Actual meaning: To insist on something that has passed./To beat a dead horse.

Is someone you know constantly talking about an issue that is over and decided? Das ist Schnee von gestern is perfect in this context.

15. Ein Fisch auf dem Trockenen

Literal translation: A fish on the dry.

Actual meaning: To feel like a fish out of the water.

It’s interesting how similar this idiom is to our English equivalent. It looks like feeling out of place is finally something more languages can agree on.

16. Die Daumen drücken

Literal translation: Press the thumbs.

Actual meaning: Fingers crossed.

Same story here. You already know in which situations it’s suitable to use this one.

17. Du nimmst mich auf den Arm

Literal translation: You’re taking me on your arm.

Actual meaning: You’re joking./You’re pulling my leg.

Germans have a unique take on this idiom. Instead of pulling one’s leg, they are taken on someone’s arm. Picture the scene and you can help but giggle! Obviously, both versions are used to express disbelief about someone’s actions or claims.

18. Dumm wie Bohnenstroh

Literal translation: Dumb as a bean straw.

Actual meaning: As thick as a brick./Dumb as a post.

We don’t support insults, but this one can also be used as a joke between very – and we mean very – close friends.

19. Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei

Literal translation: Everything has an end. Only the sausage has two.

Actual meaning: Everything will come to an end eventually.

Sausages again! Even when they come up with witty remarks about life itself, Germans must make a reference to wursts. We do feel inspired, but we must admit we’re also drooling at this point.

20. Ich habe Schwein gehabt

Literal translation: I’ve had a pig.

Actual meaning: I was lucky.

I guess it is inevitable. If there are German idioms about sausages, there must also be German idioms about pigs. Naturally, when someone says Ich habe Schwein gehabt, it means they have been lucky without having done anything themselves to earn it.

21. Haare auf den Zähnen haben

Literal translation: To have hair on one’s teeth.

Actual meaning: To be confrontational or bossy.

That’s just weird, but okay, German. If someone’s having one of those days, it may prove helpful the lighten the mood with this funny idiom.

22. Einen Kater haben

Literal translation: To have a cat.

Actual meaning: To have a hangover.

As you can see, Germans have all kinds of animals when it comes to idioms. This time, however, having a cat is not as fun as you’d imagine because it actually refers to having a hangover.

Before you jump to conclusions, you must know that Kater (‘tomcat’) comes from the word Katarrh, a condition in which a lot of thick liquid is produced in your nose and throat. Over time, the pronunciation of the word changed into Kater.

23. Da haben wir den Salat

Literal translation: There we have the salad.

Actual meaning: Now we have a problem./Now we are in a real mess.

Sometimes we see a bad situation coming and we warn the parties involved, but they choose not to listen. Well, this idiom is perfect for the aftermath when all you want to say is: I told you so!

24. Einen Vogel haben

Literal translation: To have a bird.

Actual meaning: To be crazy.

So far, we have had pigs, cats, tomatoes on our eyes and now birds. A fascinating selection of things to have, German!

On a more serious note, this is yet another fun idiom you can use to sound like a fluent speaker. The idiom probably originated from the belief that crazy people must have flocks of little birds in their heads.

It’s usually used as an insult, so be careful to who you are saying this.

25. Jemandem ein Ohr abkauen

Literal translation: Chew off someone’s ear.

Actual meaning: To talk someone’s ear off.

Do you have someone in your life who just won’t stop talking? If you feel like your ear will fall off, this is the perfect example of Jemandem ein Ohr abkauen.

Why should you learn German idioms?

No matter how funny or weird, German idioms are, first and foremost, a great way to boost your German vocabulary. However, there is more to it than that. If you want to learn German and speak it like a fluent speaker, idioms can help you take your conversations to the next level in more than one way. German idioms will:

• add substance and humor to your discourse;
• help make your vocabulary more diverse;
• provide valuable insights into German culture and history;
• help you express your unique ideas and personality.

Last but not least, German idioms will obviously help you better understand what fluent German speakers are saying. What do you think are the origins of these idioms? Comment below.

Tschüss!

---

Speak German like a fluent speaker fast

Do you want to round up your studies and speak German fluently fast? Try Mondly, the award-winning language app that is serious about making learning German fun.

Instead of tiring yourself for hours with inch-thick textbooks, slip a 10-minute Mondly lesson into your routine and make learning a breeze. You will learn German naturally using:

• practical topics;
• hands-on, interactive language lessons;
• intelligent suggestions and instant feedback on pronunciation;
• crystal-clear audios of fluent speakers;
• real-life conversations and so much more.

Start using Mondly for free on your computer or download the app and learn German anytime, anywhere.