das Hemd ist mir näher als der Rock
one's own interests come first; charity begins at home
Origin
The image goes back to antiquity, to the Roman poet Plautus (c. 250–184 BC), whose comedy 'Trinummus' has the line 'tunica propior pallio' (the tunic is nearer than the cloak). The tunic was later rendered as 'Hemd' (shirt) and the outer garment as 'Rock' (coat).
Building blocks
Words in this expression
Grammar that uses this word
- Pronoun 'er' (he/it, nominative)Pronomen 'er' (Nominativ)
- Definite article 'das' (the, neuter, nominative)Bestimmter Artikel 'das' (neutrum, Nominativ)
- Indefinite article 'ein' (a/an, neuter, nominative)Unbestimmter Artikel 'ein' (neutrum, Nominativ)
- Definite article 'das' (the, neuter, accusative)Bestimmter Artikel 'das' (neutrum, Akkusativ)
- Regular verbs: du-form (stem + -st)Regelmäßige Verben: du-Form (Stamm + -st)
- Regular verbs: sie/Sie-form (stem + -en)Regelmäßige Verben: sie/Sie-Form (Stamm + -en)
Examples
Er hilft anderen nur – das ist ihm näher als der .
He's reluctant to help others — for him, charity begins at home.