German sayings and their meanings in English
Interesting German expressions, their ridiculously literal translations, as well as real analogues in English. All of that is in our article.
At first glance German sayings make little sense. Do you know why at night in Germany asphalt gets up and leaves, rifles throw themselves into grains, and cantonists are considered untrustworthy? When the language and national character were being formed, over the time specific features became more and more distinctive, but some of them lost their meaning even to the native speakers. Very few Germans would now remember what is a cantonist, except maybe connecting the word to the Swiss regions called «cantons». But there are also expressions that upon closer look become clear and start making sense to German learners, and we will try to explain some of them.
«Die Katze lässt das Mausen nicht» — «The cat won’t stop hunting mice»
Doing something is the integral part of somebody’s personality. As they also say, «once a thief, always a thief». To memorize it better, remember Tom and Jerry.
«Die Schuld in die Schuhe schieben» — «To put the guilt in one’s shoes»
It means that somebody has shifted the blame onto somebody else. The expression has its roots in communities of vagabonds and robbers. In the flophouses of old times all the residents stayed in one big room. So thefts weren’t a rare occasion. But what do you do if the robbed person puts up a stink and you don’t want to be caught? That’s right, just put the loot in your sleeping neighbor’s shoes.
«Über den Berg sein» — «To be over the mountain»
It means to overcome the worst part of something (crisis, illness, etc.). Going up a mountain you have to work very hard, and exhaust yourself to get to the top. When you get there, you fall down on the grass out of exhaustion and reach for your water flask, but at the same time you see the unbelievable view from the top, and you feel relieved and realize that all the worst is already over.
«Einen Dachschaden haben» — «Have holes in the roof»
It means that a person is not okay in the head. The damaged roof is always the first and foremost problem of the house’s owner, which can obviously affect their mental state. Hardly anybody would enjoy stumbling upon such a person in an argument or in any situation in life.
«Hier herrscht dicke Luft» — «The air is thick here»
This phrase is used to describe a heavy atmosphere. It’s easy to memorize if you think about the rush hour in the subway. It’s far from being inspiring, quite the opposite: the air is buzzing with tension. Same goes for the nasty atmosphere in the room that is aired regularly, but still makes you undo the top button on your shirt, because right now this room houses some important meeting about salary cuts. Interesting fact: in rural jargon «dicke Luft» can also mean a drum roll.
«Es ist im Eimer» — «It’s in the trash bin»
If something can’t be fixed, it goes right into the trash bin. Many of us cherish the memories of failed projects hoping to start them all over again one day. And only a few dare to admit when a failed project is beyond saving and belongs in the trash bin.
«Sein Fähnlein nach dem Winde drehen» — «Turn one’s flag with the wind»
This phrase describes opportunistic way of thinking, adapting to the circumstances. It comes from the jargon of millers, who would always put the windmill in the windiest place possible.
«Die Flinte ins Korn werfen» — «To throw a rifle into the grain»
To give up, stop fighting. The phrase comes from soldiers’ speech. When a soldier throws his rifle into the bush or a field, he is obviously not willing to go on fighting.
«Der Hecht im Karpfenteich sein» — «A pike in a pond with carps»
Be active in a more passive society. The analogue could be «a pain in the ass», but in a good sense. That is, while you have a pain in the ass, you won’t be able to sit down, so you’ll have to act. Just like a pike who chases the carps and doesn’t let them grow fatter.
«Auf zwei Hochzeiten tanzen» — «Dance at two weddings»
Try to do two mutually exclusive things at the same time. A good illustration for that would be the image of Van Dam doing that trick between two trucks going two different ways.
«Es ist ein unsicherer Kantonist» — «He is an untrustworthy cantonist»
The unreliable person who shouldn’t be trusted. Prussia was divided into cantons for the soldiers conscription. So avoiding military drills was only possible by emigrating from your canton.
«Alles im grünen Bereich» — «Everything is in the green»
They say it when everything is all right. For example, you find yourself in a new town and roam the streets looking lost. A policeman can come up to you and ask, “Ist alles in Ordnung?”. So if you are not lost and are just taking a stroll, you can reply that “alles im grünen Bereich”. The expression comes from the association with the green indicator of electronic devices that means that they are in working condition.
«Abends werden Bürgersteige hochgeklappt» — «In the evening the sidewalks will be rolled up»
It means that a town has no entertainment options. In small towns there’s not much to do. Especially in the evenings, when most stores are already closed. So people prefer to stay at home and the sidewalks aren’t really necessary. So they can rest and get up and leave their place at least for a while.
«Einen grünen Daumen haben» — «Have a green thumb»
You say that about a person who is very good at gardening “er hat einen grünen Daumen”. You can always notice people who are constantly working in their garden by their hands. And it’s not only about the dirt under their fingernails, but also about the slight shade of green on their fingers.
«Lampenfieber haben» — «To have a fear of spotlights»
Who wasn’t ever afraid to perform or give a speech in front of a big audience? Especially when you are standing on the stage under the scrutinizing gaze of dozens of eyes and burning spotlights. Germans call it Lampenfieber, while we don’t come up with anything new and say «stage fright».
«Die Haare auf den Zähnen haben» — «Have hair on one’s teeth»
Scary image, isn’t it? This expression is used to characterize a person with a strong character who won’t let anybody hurt them. Why is it phrased this way? Since the old times a lot of hair was identified with masculinity and strength. So you could say there was a risk of hair growing on the teeth of the strongest ones.
«Wie Gott in Frankreich leben» — «Live like God in France»
Germans really like to use this expression when they want to say that somebody lives happily without any troubles. Also the expression can be used negatively meaning that a person lives too carelessly. Interesting origin story of this expression dates back to the times of the French Revolution. Before the monarchy was overthrown, the church in France held great force and often appealed to the God’s power. After the Revolution, the church lost all of its power, so God finally could relax and live a quiet life.