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20 Common German Idioms to Sound Like a NativeEver find yourself totally baffled in the middle of a German conversation?

Struggling to make sense of seemingly irrelevant comments?

Like, things are going great until your friend says something bizarre about a dancing bear, or dumpling broth. Whatgives?

Did they mean to say that? Or did you totally misunderstand the vocabulary?

Congratulations! This confusion means that your German is solid enough to understand what your friend is sayingliterally. Now, its time for you to learn idioms and take your German skills to the next level.

The Value of Learning German IdiomsAfter you take some time to learn common idioms, youll find yourself understanding new nuances of your favoritebooks and TV shows. Not only will learning idioms improve your German comprehension, but it will also give youinsight into German culture and history. German idioms are chock-full of references to popular German foods likesausages, bread rolls, and mustard. Language learning suddenly got delicious (and if you want to get even hungrier,be sure to check out our post on German food vocabulary).

Moreover, to sound like a proficient speaker of German you will have to use idioms. Sometimes only an idiomcan help you express exactly what you mean. Ultimately, everyone uses language differently to express their uniqueideas and personality. Idioms can help you to find your unique and distinctive style of German. You dont want tosound like your textbook or worse, like someones grandma or grandpa by using outdated sayings. Peachy keenand spiffy, any one? How swell! That doesnt sound like you in English, so why should you talk that way inGerman? Knowing the right idioms can help you sound more like yourself than ever before!

Are you finding yourself a bit intimated by all the possible idioms? Wondering how to distinguish between hackneyedand modern?

Here we have provided a fantastic list of German idioms, along with their literal translations, their Englishequivalents, and examples of how to use them. Start incorporating them in your German as soon as possible toimpress your German-speaking friends!

1. um den heien Brei herumredenLiterally: to talk around the hot porridgeEnglish equivalent: to beat around the bush

Da die Wahl bald ist, spricht der Politiker oft umden heien Brei herum.(Since the election is soon, the politician beatsaround the bush often.)

2. Da kannst du Gift drauf nehmenLiterally: You can take poison on thatEnglish equivalent: You can bet your life onthat

Eines Tages wird er berhmt sein. Da kannst duGift drauf nehmen.(One day he will be famous. You can bet yourlife on that.)

3. sich zum Affen machenLiterally: to make an ape of oneselfEnglish equivalent: to make a fool of oneself

Hans wird die Arbeitsstelle nicht bekommen.Whrend des Interviews hat er sich zum Affengemacht.(Hans will not get the job. He made a fool of himself during the interview.)

4. zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagenLiterally: kill two flies with one swatEnglish equivalent: to kill two birds with one stone

Da ich zwei Besorgungen im Standzentrum machen muss, kann ich zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen!(Since I must run errands to run in the city center, I can kill two birds with one stone!)

5. eine Extrawurst verlangenLiterally: to ask for an extra sausageEnglish Equivalent: to ask for special treatment

Da er der Sohn des Chefs ist, verlangt er immer eine Extrawurst.(Because he is the son of the boss, he always asks for special treatment.)

6. Himmel und Hlle in BewegungsetzenLiterally: put heaven and hell in motionEnglish equivalent: to move heaven and earth

Er wird Himmel und Hlle in Bewegung setzenum zwei Karten fr das Konzert zu bekommen.(He will move heaven and earth to get twotickets to the concert.)

7. Da steppt der BrLiterally: The bear dances thereEnglish Equivalent: It will be a good party

Ich gehe heute Abend zu Maria. Da steppt der Br!(Im going to Marias tonight. It will be a good party!)

A close relative to the dancing bear is the burning air. Its a similar phrase with an identical meaning:

Da brennt die Luft!

8. Tomaten auf den Augen habenLiterally: to have tomatoes on ones eyesEnglish Equivalent: to be oblivious to what isgoing around you

Der Freund von Anna betrgt sie aber sie hatTomaten auf den Augen.(Annas boyfriend is cheating on her but shesoblivious to whats going on.)

9. den Nagel auf den Kopf treffenLiterally: to hit the nail on the headEnglish Equivalent: to hit the nail on the head

Du hast recht! Du hast den Nagel auf den Kopf getroffen.(You are right! Youve hit the nail on the head.)

10. Ich verstehe nur BahnhofLiterally: I can only understand train station.

English equivalent: Its all Greek to me.

Kannst du seinen Dialekt verstehen? Ichverstehe nur Bahnhof.(Do you understand his dialect? Its all Greek tome.)

11. weggehen wie warme SemmelnLiterally: to go like warm rollsEnglish equivalent: to go or sell like hot cakes

Die Kekse, die Stefan gebacken hat, gehen wegwie warme Semmeln.(The cookies that Stefan baked are going likehot cakes.)

12. seinen Senf dazugebenLiterally: to add their mustardEnglish equivalent: to put their two cents in

Peter spricht zu viel. Er muss immer seinenSenf dazugeben.(Peter talks too much. He always has to put histwo cents in.)

13. jdm. die Daumen drckenLiterally: to squeeze your thumbs for someoneEnglish equivalent: to keep ones fingerscrossed for someone

Viel Glck! Ich drcke dir die Daumen!(Good luck! Ill keep my fingers crossed for you!)

14. etw. wie seine Westentasche kennenLiterally: to know something like ones waistcoat pocket English equivalent: to know it like the back ofones hand.

In Berlin werde ich mich niemals verirren. Ich kenne es wie meine Westentasche.(I will never get lost in Berlin. I know it like the back of my hand.)

15. Man soll den Tag nicht vor demAbend lobenLiterally: Dont praise the day before theevening.English equivalent: Dont count your chicksbefore they hatch.

Sag nicht, dass Argentinien dieWeltmeisterschaft gewinnen wird. Man soll denTag nicht vor dem Abend loben!(Dont say that Argentina will win the World Cup.Dont count your chicks before they hatch!)

16. jdm. ein Ohr abkauenLiterally: to chew someones ear offEnglish equivalent: to talk someones ear off

Dieses Kind kann nicht still sein. Es kaut mir einOhr ab.(This child cannot be silent. He is talking my earoff.)

17. klar wie KlobrheLiterally: clear as dumpling brothEnglish equivalent: crystal clear

Verstehst du mich? Ist es klar wie Klobrhe?Do you understand me? Is it crystal clear?

18. dumm wie BohnenstrohLiterally: as dumb as a bean strawEnglish equivalent: as thick as a brick

Er redet nur Quatsch. Er ist dumm wieBohnenstroh.(He talks only nonsense. He is as thick as abrick.)

19. die Kirche im Dorf lassenLiterally: to leave the church in the village

English equivalent: to not get carried away

Der Film war nur OK. Bitte lass die Kirche imDorf.(The film was only OK. Please dont get carriedaway.)

20. Schwein habenLiterally: to have a pigEnglish equivalent: to have a stroke of luck

Obwohl er nicht fr den Test gelernt hat, hat erden Test bestanden. Er hat Schwein gehabt!(Although he didnt study, he passed the test. Hehad a stroke of luck!)

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20 Common German Idioms to Sound Like a NativeThe Value of Learning German Idioms1. um den heien Brei herumreden2. Da kannst du Gift drauf nehmen3. sich zum Affen machen4. zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen5. eine Extrawurst verlangen6. Himmel und Hlle in Bewegung setzen7. Da steppt der Br8. Tomaten auf den Augen haben9. den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen10. Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof11. weggehen wie warme Semmeln12. seinen Senf dazugeben13. jdm. die Daumen drcken14.etw. wie seine Westentasche kennen15. Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend loben16. jdm. ein Ohr abkauen17. klar wie Klobrhe18. dumm wie Bohnenstroh19. die Kirche im Dorf lassen20. Schwein haben