Similar to English, German adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. They are used to indicate a place, time, cause, and manner, and they can be found in various parts of a sentence. Adverbs are divided into four main groups:

Adverbs of Place
Adverbs of Time
Adverbs of Manner and Degree
Adverbs Indicating Cause

 

German idioms are an important part of everyday German. They come up all the time in both written and spoken German. Because idioms don’t always make sense literally, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare German idioms to the idioms in your own language.

Wo sich Fuchs und Hase gute Nacht sagen

Literally: Where fox and hare say goodnight to one another
English equivalent: In the middle of nowhere

Um den heißen Brei herumreden

Literally: to talk around the hot porridge
English equivalent: to beat around the bush

Da steppt der Bär

Literally: The bear dances there
English equivalent: To have a good party, to have a blast

Sich zum Affen machen

Literally: to make an ape of yourself
English equivalent: to make a fool of yourself

Den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen

Literally: to hit the nail on the head
English equivalent: to do exactly the right thing

Da kannst du Gift drauf nehmen

Literally: You can take poison on that.
English equivalent: You can bet your life on that.

Die Kirche im Dorf lassen

Literally: to leave the church in the village
English equivalent: to not get carried away

German idioms are an important part of everyday German. They come up all the time in both written and spoken German. Because idioms don’t always make sense literally, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare German idioms to the idioms in your own language.

Er muss zu allem seinen Senf dazugeben

Literally: He must add his mustard to everything
English Equivalent: He must always give his two cents worth

Ein Fisch auf dem Trockenen

Literally: a fish on the dry
English equivalent: a fish out of water

Fix und fertig sein

Literally: to be quick and ready
English equivalent: to be exhausted

Weggehen wie warme Semmeln

Literally: go like warm rolls
English equivalent: sell like hot cakes

Dumm wie Bohnenstroh

Literally: as dumb as a bean straw
English equivalent: as thick as a brick

Man soll den Tag nicht vor dem Abend loben

Literally: Don’t praise the day before the evening.
English equivalent: Don’t count your chicks before they hatch.

Schwein haben

Literally: to have a pig
English equivalent: to be lucky

Klar wie Kloßbrühe

Literally: clear as dumpling broth
English equivalent: crystal clear

Den Teufel an die Wand zu malen

Literally: to draw the devil on the wall
English equivalent: to be overly pessimistic

Schlafen wie ein Murmeltier

Literally: sleep like a groundhog
English equivalent: sleep like a log

Tomaten auf den Augen haben

Literally: to have tomatoes on one’s eyes
English equivalent: to be oblivious to what is going around you

German idioms are an important part of everyday German. They come up all the time in both written and spoken German. Because idioms don’t always make sense literally, you’ll need to familiarize yourself with the meaning and usage of each idiom. That may seem like a lot of work, but learning idioms is fun, especially when you compare German idioms to the idioms in your own language.

Das ist ein Katzensprung

Literally: That’s a cat’s jump
English equivalent: It’s a stone’s throw away

Eine Extrawurst haben

Literally: to ask for an extra sausage
English equivalent: to ask for special treatment

Die Daumen drücken

Literally: to press the thumbs
English equivalent: to keep your fingers crossed

Himmel und Hölle in Bewegung setzen

Literally: to put heaven and hell in motion
English equivalent: to do whatever it takes to reach the goal

Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof

Literally: I only understand “train station.”
English equivalent: It’s all Greek to me

Wie seine Westentasche kennen

Literally: to know something like one’s waistcoat pocket
English equivalent: to know something like the back of one’s hand

Da liegt der Hund begraben

Literally: That’s where the dog is buried
English equivalent: That’s the heart of the matter

Du nimmst mich auf den Arm!

Literally: You’re taking me on your arm!
English equivalent: You’re pulling my leg!

Zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen

Literally: to kill two flies with one swat
English equivalent: to kill two birds with one stone

Ein Ohr abkauen

Literally: to chew someone’s ear off
English equivalent: to talk someone’s ear off

Everyone understands the importance of encouraging a friend, a student or an employee. Here’s how to do this in German!