Sound like a German native with our top 10 funny idioms

Last updated: Apr 6th, 2020


Want to pass as a native German speaker? Brush up on these ‘Redensarten’ (known in English as idioms). These are everyday sayings used to express emotions and thoughts.

Here we share some of the funniest German idioms and sayings to use in everyday conversations:

German phrase

Literal Translation

Explanation

Hummeln im Hintern haben

 

Have bumblebees in your bum

 

To have ants in your pants

 

Seinen Senf dazu geben

 

Add one’s mustard

 

To put in your two cents

 

Nicht mehr alle Tassen im Schrank haben

 

Not have all the cups in the cupboard anymore

 

To have a screw loose

 

Wo sich Fuchs und Hase gute Nacht sagen

 

Where fox and hare say goodnight to one another

 

Out in the sticks

 

Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof

 

I only understand train station

 

It’s all Greek to me

 

Schlafen wie ein Murmeltier

 

To sleep like a marmot

 

To sleep like a log

 

Jetzt geht’s um die Wurst

 

Now it’s about the sausage

 

It’s now or never

 

Holla die Waidfee

 

Holla the wood fairy

 

Well, I never!

 

Aus allen Wolken fallen

 

Fall from all clouds

 

To be flabbergasted

 

die beleidigte Leberwurst spielen

 

Play the offended liver sausage

 

To be in a huff

 

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