Deutsche Wendungen
Redewendungen und feste Verbindungen - Bedeutung und Herkunft.
700 Wendungen
- ab und zunow and then / occasionally
- abgefucktmessed up, run-down, wrecked (crude; of places, moods or people)
- abhängento hang out, chill, do nothing (with friends)
- Abhilfe schaffento remedy the situation / to provide relief
- Abstand gewinnento gain distance / to step back
- Abstand nehmen vonto refrain from / to distance oneself from
- Akhi'my brother' - a close friend who is 'like a brother'
- alle Brücken hinter sich abbrechento burn all one's bridges
- alle Hände voll zu tun habento have one's hands full; to be very busy
- allemalany day / by far / certainly
- aller guten Dinge sind dreiall good things come in threes; third time's the charm
- alles für bare Münze nehmento take everything at face value; to believe naively as literally true
- alles in Buttereverything's fine; all good
- alles klarall good / got it
- Almanstereotypical (über-)German person; spießig, rule-obsessed (ironic, often self-mocking)
- Alterdude!, man! (exclamation of surprise/shock; also a peer address)
- Aluhut'tinfoil hat' - derogatory label for a conspiracy theorist
- am Wochenendeon the weekend
- Anerkennung zollento pay tribute to / to acknowledge with respect
- angesichtsin view of / given (formal)
- Angst haben vorto be afraid of
- Anklang findento meet with approval / to go down well
- Anstoß nehmen anto take offence at / to take exception to
- Anwendung findento be applied / to find application
- Aschemoney, cash (colloquial; lit. 'ash', synonym of 'Kohle')
- Atzebuddy, mate / 'bro' (friendly Berlin-area address; also 'big brother')
- auf Anhiebstraight away / at the first attempt
- auf dem Holzweg seinto be barking up the wrong tree / to be mistaken
- auf dem Laufenden bleibento stay up to date
- auf dem Laufenden seinto be up to date / informed
- auf dem Schlauch stehento be stumped; to not get it for a moment
- auf den Busch klopfento sound out / to fish for information
- auf den ersten Blickat first glance / at first sight
- auf den Leim gehento fall for it; to be taken in
- auf den neuesten Stand bringento bring up to date / to update
- auf den Plan rufento bring onto the scene / to provoke (a response)
- auf den Punkt bringento get to the point / to sum up precisely
- auf der Hand liegento be obvious / to be self-evident
- auf der Kippe stehento hang in the balance / to be touch and go
- auf die lange Bank schiebento put off / to keep postponing
- auf die Probe stellento put to the test
- auf eigene Fauston one's own / off one's own bat
- auf einmalall of a sudden / at once
- auf jeden Falldefinitely / in any case
- auf keinen Fallno way / under no circumstances
- Auf Lockeasy / no problem; relaxed, casually (short for 'auf locker')
- auf meinen Nackenmy treat; I'll pay / I've got it (lit. 'on my neck')
- auf Sand gebaut seinto be built on sand / to rest on shaky ground
- auf Wiedersehengoodbye (formal)
- Aufmerksamkeit schenkento pay attention to / to give attention
- Aufschluss geben überto shed light on / to provide information about
- Aufsehen erregento cause a stir / to attract attention
- Auracharisma/vibe scored in points; cool acts earn '+1000 Aura', cringe loses it
- aus allen Wolken fallento be utterly astonished / thunderstruck
- aus dem Nähkästchen plaudernto reveal private/intimate details; to let others in on inside stories
- aus diesem Grundfor this reason
- aus einer Mücke einen Elefanten machento make a mountain out of a molehill; to greatly exaggerate something trivial
- aus meiner Sichtfrom my point of view
- Ausdruck verleihento give expression to
- außer Acht lassento disregard / to leave out of account
- außer Frage stehento be beyond question
- Baboboss, leader, chief
- Bahnhofskinoa wild/lurid spectacle; a chaotic scene (jocular; lit. 'station cinema')
- basedbased; admirably true to oneself, unbothered by others' opinions (approving internet slang)
- Bauklötze staunento be utterly amazed; to gawp in astonishment
- Beachtung schenkento pay attention to / to heed
- Bedenken äußernto voice concerns / to express reservations
- bei Licht(e) betrachteton closer inspection / when you really look at it
- beileibe nichtby no means / certainly not
- Berücksichtigung findento be taken into account
- Bescheid gebento give (someone) word / inform
- Bescheid sagento let (someone) know
- Bescheid wissento be informed / to know about something
- Bestand habento endure / to last
- Bezug nehmen aufto refer to
- Bilanz ziehento take stock / to draw a balance
- bis baldsee you soon
- bitte schönhere you are / you're welcome
- blau seinto be drunk, plastered, smashed
- blauäugig seinto be naive, starry-eyed or credulous
- blaumachento skip work or school; to play hooky, take an unexcused day off
- Bock habento be up for something; 'keinen Bock' = not in the mood / can't be bothered
- bodenlosunbelievable, outrageous, beyond the pale (intensifier, usually negative; top-3 2022)
- Boomerboomer; an out-of-touch older person (mocking, from 'OK Boomer')
- Bratanbro, buddy, mate (friendly term of address)
- Bratwursta clumsy/useless person (jocular insult; lit. 'fried sausage')
- Brebro, man, mate (address for a friend)
- Brobro; mate, buddy (friendly address; also wry third-person 'this guy')
- Bruhbro / ugh (interjection of disbelief, disappointment or secondhand embarrassment)
- cancelnto cancel; to publicly boycott/shun someone (anglicism, often loaded)
- Capcap; a lie / 'no cap' = no lie, for real (anglicism from US rap slang)
- checkento understand / get it (youth slang); colloquially also 'to check, verify'
- Checkst duyou get it?, you following? (filler to confirm the other person understands; top-3 2025)
- chillento relax, chill, take it easy
- cringeembarrassing, cringeworthy; also secondhand embarrassment (Fremdscham)
- Çüşwhoa!, no way! (exclamation of astonishment or disgust; also spelled 'Tschüsch')
- da bin ich anderer MeinungI disagree / I have a different opinion
- da liegt der Hund begrabenthat's the crux of the matter; that's where the problem lies
- danke schönthank you very much
- das A und Othe essential thing; the be-all and end-all
- das Blaue vom Himmel versprechento promise the moon; to make impossible promises
- Das crazywow / huh, okay (often ironic filler phrase signalling polite, disengaged 'whatever')
- das fünfte Rad am Wagen seinto be a fifth wheel; to be superfluous
- das geht auf keine Kuhhautthat's beyond belief; that's outrageous
- das Geld zum Fenster hinauswerfento throw money out the window; to waste money
- das Handtuch werfento throw in the towel; to give up
- das Heft in der Hand haltento be in control / to hold the reins
- das heißtthat is to say / in other words
- das Hemd ist mir näher als der Rockone's own interests come first; charity begins at home
- das ist mir egalI don't care / it's all the same to me
- das ist mir WurstI couldn't care less; it's all the same to me
- das ist nicht mein Bierthat's not my problem; that's none of my business
- das Kind beim Namen nennento call a spade a spade; to name things plainly
- das Kind mit dem Bade ausschüttento throw the baby out with the bathwater
- das kommt darauf anthat depends
- das Kriegsbeil begrabento bury the hatchet; to make peace, end a quarrel
- das macht nichtsthat doesn't matter / no worries
- das Pferd von hinten aufzäumento go about something the wrong way; to start at the wrong end
- das schwarze Schaf seinto be the black sheep; the odd one out
- das stimmt nichtthat's not true
- das Zünglein an der Waage seinto tip the scales / to be the decisive factor
- dastehen wie der Ochs vorm Bergto stand there helplessly/cluelessly, not knowing what to do
- Deluludelulu; delightfully delusional, lost in wishful thinking (playful internet slang)
- den Anschein erweckento give the semblance / to create the appearance
- den Bock zum Gärtner machento set the fox to guard the henhouse
- den Boden bereitento prepare the ground / to set the stage
- den Braten riechento smell a rat / to see what's coming
- den Eindruck erweckento give the impression
- den Faden verlierento lose one's train of thought
- den Faden wieder aufnehmento pick up the thread again
- den Gürtel enger schnallento tighten one's belt; to economise and cut back
- den inneren Schweinehund überwindento overcome one's weaker self; to beat one's inner couch potato
- den Kopf hängen lassento lose heart; to be discouraged or despondent
- den Kopf hinhaltento take the blame/responsibility (often for someone else); to carry the can
- den Kopf in den Sand steckento bury one's head in the sand; to avoid reality
- den Kopf zerbrechento rack one's brains
- den Kürzeren ziehento come off worse / to draw the short straw
- den Löffel abgebento kick the bucket; to die
- den Mantel des Schweigens breiten überto draw a veil over
- den Nagel auf den Kopf treffento hit the nail on the head
- den Nerv treffento strike a chord / to touch a nerve
- den roten Faden verlierento lose the thread
- den Stier bei den Hörnern packento take the bull by the horns
- den Tatsachen ins Auge sehento face the facts
- den Teufel an die Wand malento imagine the worst / to tempt fate
- den Ton angebento call the tune / to set the tone
- den Überblick behaltento keep track / to stay on top of things
- den Überblick verlierento lose track / to lose the overview
- den Vogel abschießento outdo everyone (take the prize); also ironically, to do something spectacularly stupid
- den Weg ebnento pave the way
- der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stammthe apple doesn't fall far from the tree (children resemble their parents)
- der blaue Briefan official warning letter - esp. a school notice of failing grades, or a dismissal notice
- der frühe Vogel fängt den Wurmthe early bird catches the worm
- Deutsch sprechento speak German
- die Beine in die Hand nehmento leg it; to run off quickly
- die Daumen drückento keep one's fingers crossed; to wish someone luck
- die erste Geige spielento call the tune; to play first fiddle
- die Flinte ins Korn werfento give up; to throw in the sponge
- die Friedenspfeife rauchento smoke the peace pipe; to reconcile after a dispute
- die Geduld verlierento lose patience
- die Hände in den Schoß legento remain idle; to sit back and do nothing
- die Hände über dem Kopf zusammenschlagento be horrified or dismayed; to throw up one's hands in shock
- die Hosen anhabento wear the trousers; to be in charge
- die Hosen voll habento be scared stiff; to be terrified
- die Katze aus dem Sack lassento let the cat out of the bag
- die Katze im Sack kaufento buy a pig in a poke; to buy something sight unseen
- die Kirche im Dorf lassento keep things in perspective; not to overdo it
- die Kuh vom Eis holento resolve a tricky situation; to sort things out
- die Kurve kratzento make oneself scarce; to clear off
- die Nase voll habento be fed up; to have had enough
- die Oberhand gewinnento gain the upper hand
- die Ohren auf Durchzug stellento deliberately not listen; to let it go in one ear and out the other
- die Ohren spitzento prick up one's ears; to listen closely
- die Radieschen von unten betrachtento be dead and buried; to push up the daisies (jocular)
- die Rechnung bittethe bill, please
- die Sau rauslassento let one's hair down; to party hard
- die Spendierhosen anhabento be in a generous mood; to be willing to treat others
- die Spreu vom Weizen trennento separate the wheat from the chaff
- die Stirn bietento stand up to / to defy
- die Suppe auslöffelnto face the music / to clean up one's own mess
- die Übersicht behaltento keep an overview / to stay on top of things
- die Weichen stellento set the course / to lay the groundwork
- die Würfel sind gefallenthe die is cast; the decision is final and irreversible
- die Zeche zahlento bear the (unpleasant) consequences; to foot the bill, often for what others caused
- die Zelte abbrechento pull up stakes / to move on
- Diggadude, bro, mate (friendly, neutral form of address)
- dissento disrespect, run someone down, insult
- Distanz wahrento keep one's distance / to maintain distance
- Druck ausübento exert pressure
- durch die Lappen gehento slip through one's fingers; to get away
- Ehrenfrauwoman of honor - female counterpart to Ehrenmann; someone who does you a solid
- ehrenlosdishonorable; in slang a respectless/low-down act (also ironic intensifier)
- Ehrenmannman of honor - someone who does something great for you (also used ironically)
- Ehrenmodushonour mode; going all-out, giving your best (playful, from gaming + 'Ehre')
- ein Auge auf etwas werfento keep an eye on / to take a fancy to
- ein Auge riskierento risk a quick/furtive glance; to dare to take a peek
- ein Auge zudrückento turn a blind eye; to let something slide
- ein Brett vor dem Kopf habento be slow on the uptake; to not see the obvious
- ein Ende setzento put an end to
- ein Fazit ziehento draw a conclusion / to sum up
- ein Foto machento take a photo
- ein Wörtchen mitzureden habento have a say in a matter; to have the right to help decide
- ein Zeichen setzento send a signal / to make a statement
- eine Entscheidung fällento reach/make a decision
- eine Entscheidung in Frage stellento question a decision
- eine Entscheidung treffento make a decision
- eine Erkältung habento have a cold
- eine Frage aufwerfento raise a question
- eine Frage habento have a question
- eine Frage stellento ask a question
- eine Nachricht hinterlassento leave a message
- eine Pause machento take a break
- eine Prüfung bestehento pass an exam
- eine Rechnung bezahlento pay a bill
- eine Reise machento take a trip
- eine Rolle spielento play a role / matter
- eine weiße Weste habento have a clean record; to be beyond reproach
- einen Antrag stellento submit/file an application
- einen Beitrag leistento make a contribution
- einen Fehler korrigierento correct a mistake
- einen Fehler machento make a mistake
- einen Frosch im Hals habento have a frog in one's throat; to be hoarse
- einen grünen Daumen habento have a green thumb; to be good with plants
- einen Kater habento have a hangover
- einen Kurs besuchento take/attend a course
- einen Rat gebento give advice
- einen schönen Tag nochhave a nice day
- einen Spaziergang machento go for a walk
- einen Streit vom Zaun brechento pick a fight; to start a quarrel abruptly and for no real reason
- einen Termin absagento cancel an appointment
- einen Termin vereinbarento make an appointment
- einen Termin verschiebento postpone an appointment
- einen Vogel habento be crazy; to have a screw loose
- einen Zahn zulegento speed up; to get a move on
- Einfluss nehmen aufto influence / to have an effect on
- Einhalt gebietento put a stop to / to call a halt to
- Ende gut, alles gutall's well that ends well
- Entschuldigungexcuse me / sorry
- es geht umit's about
- es tut mir leidI'm sorry
- etwas auf dem Kasten habento have a lot on the ball; to be clever
- etwas auf die hohe Kante legento put money aside; to save up for later
- etwas auf die leichte Schulter nehmento take something lightly
- etwas aus dem Ärmel schüttelnto pull something out of one's hat / to do effortlessly
- etwas durch die Blume sagento say something indirectly / to hint at
- Eulen nach Athen tragento carry coals to Newcastle (do something pointless)
- fettichdone, finished, wiped out (colloquial pronunciation spelling of 'fertig')
- flexento show off / brag (with status symbols, looks or money)
- flycool, awesome, in great form (as a compliment)
- Folge leistento comply with / to obey
- Folgen habento have consequences
- freshcool, stylish, trendy (often about appearance/clothing)
- freut michnice to meet you
- Früchte tragento bear fruit / to pay off
- früher oder spätersooner or later
- für gewöhnlichusually / customarily
- für jemanden die Hand ins Feuer legento vouch for someone; to stake one's reputation on someone
- fürwahrindeed / truly (literary)
- Geburtstag habento have a birthday
- Gefahr laufento run the risk of
- Gehör findento get a hearing / to be heard
- geilgreat, awesome, cool (colloquial; literal/older sense: 'horny')
- Geld ausgebento spend money
- Geld sparento save money
- Genüge tunto satisfy / to do justice to (a requirement)
- geradeaus gehento go straight ahead
- geradezudownright / virtually
- geschweige dennlet alone / much less
- Gestalt annehmento take shape / to take form
- ghostento ghost; to cut off contact abruptly without explanation (anglicism)
- Glauben schenkento give credence to / to believe
- Glow-downglow-down; a decline in looks/appeal over time (the opposite of a glow-up)
- Glow-upa noticeable positive transformation - usually looks, sometimes confidence
- Glück habento be lucky
- Gönn dirtreat yourself!, go for it! (encouraging colloquial phrase; related to 'Gönnung')
- Gönnungtreating yourself; celebrating an indulgence ('gönn dir' = treat yourself / good for you)
- goofysilly, clumsy, dopey, awkward (usually endearingly comical)
- Goonento masturbate (excessively); to chase a dopamine high (vulgar/crude internet slang)
- Green Flaggreen flag; a reassuring positive sign about a person (anglicism)
- Grenzen setzento set limits / to set boundaries
- grünes Licht gebento give the green light; to give the go-ahead
- Grüß Gotthello (formal-ish Southern German/Austrian greeting)
- gute Besserungget well soon
- gute Nachtgood night
- guten Abendgood evening
- guten Morgengood morning
- guten Taggood day / hello (formal)
- Gyattgyatt; an exclamation of awe at a curvy/attractive body (crude internet/meme slang)
- Haare auf den Zähnen habento be tough, assertive and sharp-tongued (not to be trifled with)
- Habibimy darling / my love (affectionate, gender-neutral address among friends)
- Hals über Kopfhead over heels; in a great rush
- Hals- und Beinbruchgood luck! (lit. "break your neck and leg")
- Hamudiaffectionate address ('little darling/sweetie'); also a pet form of the name Muhammad
- Hand und Fuß habento be well thought out / to make sense
- Hände falten, Goschn haltenfold your hands and shut up (Bavarian-Austrian phrase: be quiet and behave)
- Hayvan'animal/beast' - usually an insult (uncontrolled person), occasionally admiring
- Heckmeckfuss, palaver, unnecessary commotion (jocular colloquial)
- herzlich willkommena warm welcome
- herzlichen Glückwunschcongratulations / happy birthday
- hin und wiedernow and then / occasionally
- Hochmut kommt vor dem Fallpride comes before a fall
- Hummeln im Hintern habento have ants in one's pants; to be unable to sit still
- Hurensohnson of a bitch (very strong insult; ironically also used as extreme praise in rap slang)
- ich bin der MeinungI am of the opinion / I think
- ich bin einverstandenI agree / I'm fine with it
- ich habe DurstI'm thirsty
- ich habe HungerI'm hungry
- ich hätte gernI'd like to have
- ich heißemy name is
- ich komme ausI come from
- ich möchteI would like
- ich verstehe nichtI don't understand
- ich wohne inI live in
- Icka sudden turn-off in dating - a small thing that instantly kills your attraction
- im Allgemeinenin general / generally
- im Argen liegento be in a bad state / to be amiss
- im Gegenteilon the contrary
- im Gegenzugin return / in exchange
- im Großen und Ganzenby and large / on the whole
- im Großen und Ganzen betrachtetviewed as a whole / all things considered
- im Großen wie im Kleinenin matters large and small
- im Hinblick aufwith regard to / in view of
- im Hinblick daraufwith this in mind / in this regard
- im Mittelpunkt stehento be at the centre of attention
- im Nachhineinin hindsight / after the fact
- im Sande verlaufento come to nothing / to peter out
- im Stich lassento leave in the lurch / to let down
- im Vergleich zucompared to / in comparison with
- im Vordergrund stehento be the focus / to take centre stage
- im Vorhineinin advance / beforehand
- im weitesten Sinnein the broadest sense
- im Wesentlichenessentially / in essence
- im Zaum haltento keep in check / to hold in check
- im Zugein the course of / as part of
- im Zusammenhang mitin connection with
- in Abrede stellento deny / to dispute
- in Anbetrachtin view of / considering
- in Anbetracht dessenin view of this / that being the case
- in Anspruch genommen werdento be in demand / kept busy
- in Anspruch nehmento make use of / to take up (time)
- in Anspruch nehmen (Hilfe)to avail oneself of (help/services)
- in Anspruch nehmen (Recht)to assert / to claim (a right)
- in Aussicht stehento be in prospect / to be on the horizon
- in Aussicht stellento hold out the prospect of / to promise
- in Bausch und Bogenwholesale / lock, stock and barrel
- in Betracht ziehento take into consideration
- in Bezug aufregarding / with respect to
- in den sauren Apfel beißento bite the bullet; to grin and bear it
- in den Schatten stellento overshadow / to put in the shade
- in der Nähenearby
- in der Regelas a rule / usually
- in der Tatindeed / in fact
- in die Schranken weisento put in one's place / to rein in
- in Erfüllung gehento come true / to be fulfilled
- in Erinnerung rufento call to mind / to recall
- in Erscheinung tretento appear / to make an appearance
- in Erscheinung treten alsto come forward as / to act in the capacity of
- in erster Linieprimarily / first and foremost
- in Erwägung gezogen werdento be taken into consideration
- in Erwägung ziehento consider / to contemplate
- in Frage kommento be an option / be possible
- in Frage stellento call into question / to question
- in gewisser Hinsichtin a certain respect / in a way
- in Kauf nehmento accept / to put up with (a downside)
- in Kauf nehmen müssento have to accept (a drawback)
- in Kontakt treten mitto make contact with
- in Kraft bleibento remain in force
- in Kraft tretento come into force / to take effect
- in letzter Minuteat the last minute
- in letzter Zeitlately / recently
- in Mitleidenschaft ziehento affect adversely / to take a toll on
- in nennenswertem Umfangto any significant extent
- in Saus und Braus lebento live it up; to live in luxury and extravagance
- in trockenen Tüchern seinto be in the bag / to be all sewn up
- in Vergessenheit geratento fall into oblivion / to be forgotten
- in Verruf geratento fall into disrepute
- in vollem Umfangto the full extent / in full
- in Zukunftin the future
- in Zweifel ziehento call into doubt / to question
- infolgeas a result of / due to (formal)
- ins Auge fassento consider / to set one's sights on
- ins Fettnäpfchen tretento put one's foot in it; to commit a faux pas
- ins Gewicht fallento carry weight / to be significant
- ins Gewicht fallen lassento bring to bear / to throw into the balance
- ins Gras beißento bite the dust; to die
- ins kalte Wasser springento jump in at the deep end
- ins Leben rufento launch / to bring into being
- ins Schwarze treffento hit the bull's eye / to be spot on
- ins Stocken geratento stall / to grind to a halt
- ins Wasser fallento fall through / to be called off
- Ischechick, girl / girlfriend (colloquial, sometimes slightly disrespectful)
- je nachdepending on
- jemandem auf den Wecker gehento get on someone's nerves; to bug someone
- jemandem auf den Zahn fühlento sound someone out / to grill someone
- jemandem auf der Nase herumtanzento walk all over someone; to take advantage of someone
- jemandem auf der Tasche liegento be financially dependent on someone; to live off someone else's money
- jemandem auf die Nerven gehento get on someone's nerves
- jemandem auf die Sprünge helfento give someone a hint / to jog someone's memory
- jemandem aufs Dach steigento take someone to task; to come down hard on someone
- jemandem das Heft aus der Hand nehmento take control/power away from someone; to wrest the initiative from someone
- jemandem das Herz brechento break someone's heart
- jemandem das Wasser abgrabento undermine someone; to cut off someone's lifeblood
- jemandem das Wasser reichen könnento hold a candle to someone
- jemandem den Marsch blasento give someone a loud telling-off; to read someone the riot act
- jemandem die Daumenschrauben anlegento put the thumbscrews on someone; to pressure someone hard
- jemandem die Hölle heiß machento pressure or harangue someone hard; to give them hell
- jemandem die kalte Schulter zeigento give someone the cold shoulder; to snub someone
- jemandem die Leviten lesento give someone a stern telling-off; to read someone the riot act
- jemandem die Show stehlento steal the show; to upstage/outshine someone
- jemandem die Stange haltento stand up for / back / support someone
- jemandem die Suppe versalzento spoil someone's plans; to ruin it for someone
- jemandem die Würmer aus der Nase ziehento drag information out of someone
- jemandem ein Dorn im Auge seinto be a thorn in someone's side
- jemandem ein Ohr abkauento talk someone's ear off; to pester someone with endless talking
- jemandem ein X für ein U vormachento deceive someone; to pull the wool over someone's eyes
- jemandem einen Bären aufbindento tell someone a tall tale; to pull someone's leg
- jemandem einen Floh ins Ohr setzento put a (far-fetched or unsettling) idea into someone's head
- jemandem einen Gefallen tunto do someone a favor
- jemandem einen Korb gebento turn someone down; to reject someone
- jemandem einen Strich durch die Rechnung machento thwart someone's plans; to spoil someone's plan
- jemandem geht ein Licht aufthe penny drops; to suddenly understand
- jemandem Honig um den Mund schmierento butter someone up; to flatter someone
- jemandem Paroli bietento stand up to someone; to offer effective resistance
- jemandem reinen Wein einschenkento tell someone the plain truth; to come clean
- jemanden auf dem Kieker habento have it in for someone; to watch someone closely waiting to catch them out
- jemanden auf die Palme bringento drive someone up the wall; to infuriate someone
- jemanden auf die Schippe nehmento pull someone's leg; to tease someone
- jemanden durch den Kakao ziehento make fun of someone; to take the mickey
- jemanden hinters Licht führento deceive or trick someone
- jemanden in den Senkel stellento sharply reprimand someone; to put someone in their place
- jemanden mit offenen Armen empfangento welcome someone warmly, with open arms
- jemanden über den Tisch ziehento swindle/cheat someone; to get the better of someone
- jemanden um den Finger wickelnto wrap someone around one's little finger
- jemanden zur Schnecke machento give someone a severe dressing-down, humiliating them
- kalte Füße bekommento get cold feet; to lose one's nerve
- KarenKaren; an entitled, complaining (usually middle-aged) woman (mocking meme name)
- kein Problemno problem
- keine Ahnungno idea
- Kekloser, fool, clown (internet/meme insult)
- Kleider machen Leuteclothes make the man; people judge by appearances
- Kleinvieh macht auch Mistsmall amounts add up too; every little bit counts
- Klugscheißerknow-it-all, smart-arse (derogatory but everyday colloquial)
- Kohlemoney, dough, cash (colloquial; lit. 'coal')
- Konsequenzen ziehento draw the consequences / to act on
- Korinthenkackernitpicker, hair-splitter, pedant (derogatory colloquial)
- krassintense, extreme, wow (all-purpose intensifier, positive or negative)
- Kritik übento criticize / to voice criticism
- lange Finger machento steal, to pilfer (a thief is a 'Langfinger')
- Lappenwuss, pushover / weakling (insult; lit. 'rag, cloth')
- Lauchweakling, wimp, loser (lit. 'leek'; mildly derogatory tease)
- Lehren ziehen austo learn lessons from
- Lehrgeld zahlento learn the hard way; to suffer a costly lesson through inexperience
- letzten Endesin the end / ultimately
- litawesome, exciting, 'fire' (a great party, vibe or thing)
- Looksmaxxinglooksmaxxing; maximising one's physical attractiveness by every means (anglicism)
- lostclueless, disoriented, not knowing what's going on
- Lügen haben kurze Beinelies have short legs; the truth will come out
- Lust habento feel like (doing something)
- Lust haben aufto be in the mood for
- Machtaa boss, a doer, someone who gets things done (admiring; from 'Macher')
- mangelsfor lack of / in the absence of
- Mashallahadmiration/praise - 'great', 'awesome', 'wow' (lit. 'what God has willed')
- Maßnahmen einleitento initiate measures / to set measures in motion
- Maßnahmen ergreifento take measures / to take action
- Maßstäbe setzento set standards / to set the benchmark
- megasuper, really, extremely (intensifier); also standalone 'great'
- mehr oder wenigermore or less
- meiner Meinung nachin my opinion
- Mewingmewing; pressing the tongue to the palate to sharpen the jawline (looksmaxxing trend)
- mir geht es gutI'm fine
- mit allen Wassern gewaschen seinto be shrewd and worldly-wise; to know all the tricks
- mit anderen Wortenin other words
- mit Blick aufwith a view to / with regard to
- mit dem Bus fahrento go by bus
- mit dem Klammerbeutel gepudert seinto be not quite right in the head; to be a bit daft
- mit jemandem Pferde stehlen könnento be able to rely on someone completely; a trustworthy partner in crime
- mit Kanonen auf Spatzen schießento use wildly disproportionate means; to take a sledgehammer to crack a nut
- mit zweierlei Maß messento apply a double standard
- mitnichtenby no means / not at all (elevated)
- Moinhi / hello (Northern German all-day greeting, not just morning)
- Monetenmoney, funds, cash (jocular, slightly old-fashioned colloquial)
- Morgenstund hat Gold im Mundthe early hours are the most productive (≈ the early bird catches the worm)
- Musik hörento listen to music
- nach Hause(to) home
- nach und nachgradually / little by little
- nach wie vorstill / as before
- Nachdruck verleihento lend emphasis to / to underscore
- nahe liegento be the obvious choice / to suggest itself
- nicht alle Tassen im Schrank habento be off one's rocker; to be a bit crazy
- nicht auf den Mund gefallen seinto be quick-witted and articulate; never at a loss for words
- nicht zuletztnot least / in no small part
- nichtsdestotrotznevertheless / nonetheless
- nichtsdestowenigernonetheless / nevertheless (elevated)
- No Cap'no lie / for real / I'm not kidding' ('Cap' = a lie/exaggeration)
- no front'no offense' - signals what follows is not meant as an attack
- noch einmal bitteonce more, please
- NPCmockery for someone seen as not thinking for themselves / on autopilot (from 'non-player character')
- nur Bahnhof verstehento not understand a thing; "it's all Greek to me"
- Nutzen ziehen austo derive benefit from / to capitalize on
- obendreinon top of that / to boot
- Öl ins Feuer gießento add fuel to the fire; to make things worse
- Opferinsult: 'loser, pathetic person' (weaker: 'uncool, dumb')
- Paramoney; 'Para haben' = to have money, 'Para machen' = to make money
- Parallelen ziehento draw parallels
- Pech habento be unlucky
- pennento sleep, to crash, to kip (colloquial)
- Pennerbum, layabout / loser (derogatory; lit. 'someone who sleeps/dosses')
- Perlen vor die Säue werfento cast pearls before swine
- Pfeifeloser, incompetent (jocular-derogatory; lit. 'whistle/pipe')
- Pi mal Daumenroughly; give or take; a ballpark figure
- Pisserjerk, idiot (crude insult; can be jokingly affectionate among friends)
- Prioritäten setzento set priorities
- rallento get it, to grasp / understand (colloquial)
- randomweird, out of nowhere, unexpected/odd (broader than literal 'by chance')
- Rechenschaft ablegento render account / to answer for
- Rechnung tragento take account of / to do justice to
- recht habento be right
- Red Flagred flag; a warning sign about a person or relationship (anglicism)
- Rede und Antwort stehento answer for oneself / to account for
- Reden ist Silber, Schweigen ist Goldspeech is silver, silence is golden
- reden wie ein Buchto talk incessantly; to talk a blue streak
- reinen Tisch machento clear the air; to make a clean breast of things
- Rizzcharisma, esp. the skill of flirting / charming someone successfully
- rot sehento see red; to fly into a rage
- Rücksicht auf jemanden nehmento show consideration for someone
- Rücksicht nehmen aufto be considerate of
- Rücksicht walten lassento show consideration
- saltyannoyed, sour, bitter - especially after losing (common in gaming)
- Sand im Getriebea spanner in the works; a disruption in an otherwise smooth process
- Schaden zufügento cause harm / to do damage to
- SchereI confess / busted (admission of guilt, esp. in online gaming; top-3 Jugendwort 2024)
- Schickeriathe in-crowd, the fashionable set, high society (often mildly mocking)
- Schlange stehento queue up / to wait in line
- Schluss machento stop / call it a day / break up
- Schluss machen mitto put an end to / to break up with
- Schlüsse ziehento draw conclusions
- Schmetterlinge im Bauch habento have butterflies in one's stomach (in love)
- Schnee von gesternold news; water under the bridge; no longer relevant
- schöne Grüßebest regards / kind regards
- Schritt für Schrittstep by step
- Schritte unternehmento take steps
- Schule machento catch on / to set a precedent
- Schwamm drüberlet's forget it; let bygones be bygones
- schwarzsehento be pessimistic; to look on the dark side, fear the worst
- Schwein habento get lucky; to have a stroke of luck
- sein blaues Wunder erlebento be in for a nasty surprise; to get a rude shock
- sein Herz auf der Zunge tragento wear one's heart on one's sleeve
- seine Schäfchen ins Trockene bringento secure one's own profit/advantage (often before things go bad)
- seinen Senf dazugebento put in one's two cents; to add one's (usually unwanted) opinion
- seitenson the part of / from (formal)
- Servushi / bye (Bavarian-Austrian greeting and farewell)
- sheeshexclamation of surprise/admiration - like 'wow', 'damn', 'krass'
- Sheesh seinto be impressive/jaw-dropping (verb-y use of the exclamation 'sheesh')
- sich aus dem Staub machento make oneself scarce; to slip away
- sich beschweren überto complain about
- sich etwas hinter die Ohren schreibento take something firmly to heart and remember it well
- sich freuen aufto look forward to
- sich Gedanken machen überto worry about / to think about
- sich Gehör verschaffento make oneself heard
- sich grün und blau ärgernto be hopping mad; to be utterly furious
- sich in Acht nehmento be careful / to watch out
- sich in Verbindung setzen mitto get in touch with
- sich ins gemachte Nest setzento land in a feathered nest; to profit from others' work
- sich Mühe gebento make an effort
- sich Sorgen machento worry
- sich Zeit nehmento take one's time
- side eyea sideways glance expressing skepticism, disapproval or judgment
- Sigmathe 'lone-wolf' macho ideal - an independent, self-confident loner (often ironic/meme)
- Simpsimp; someone who fawns excessively over a love interest (mocking internet slang)
- simpento fawn over someone who doesn't return the affection (a 'Simp' does this)
- Skibidiskibidi; nonsense intensifier, can mean 'good', 'bad' or nothing (absurdist meme slang)
- Slayexclamation of praise - 'you nailed it / iconic / amazing'
- Smashto be (sexually) into someone / 'would smash' - from the game 'Smash oder Pass'
- Smombiesomeone so absorbed in their smartphone they barely notice their surroundings
- Sorge tragen fürto see to / to take care of
- Spaß machento be fun
- Spastidiot, moron (offensive; derived from 'Spastiker', now a generic insult)
- Sport treibento do/play sports
- Steine in den Weg legento put obstacles in someone's way
- Stellung beziehento take a stance / to take a position
- Stellung nehmen zuto comment on / to take a position on
- stille Wasser sind tiefstill waters run deep (quiet people often have hidden depths)
- Stillschweigen bewahrento maintain silence / to keep quiet
- stimmt sokeep the change
- sussuspicious, sketchy, suspect
- Swageffortless cool, charisma, style (sometimes ironic)
- Tacheles redento talk turkey; to speak plainly
- Talahonstereotyped (often pejorative) label for a young man flexing (fake) designer brands
- Teatea; juicy gossip, the inside scoop (anglicism, esp. 'spill the tea')
- Tomaten auf den Augen habento be oblivious; to fail to see the obvious
- Tribut zollento pay tribute / to take its toll
- über den eigenen Schatten springento overcome one's nature; to step out of one's comfort zone
- über den Tellerrand schauento look beyond one's own nose
- über die Bühne gehento go off / to take place (smoothly)
- Überhand nehmento get out of hand / to become rampant
- Überlegungen anstellento deliberate / to reflect on
- Übung macht den Meisterpractice makes perfect
- um jeden Preisat any cost / at all costs
- ums Leben kommento lose one's life / to die (in an accident)
- umso mehrall the more
- und so weiterand so on / et cetera
- und zwarnamely / specifically (to clarify)
- ungeachtetregardless of / notwithstanding
- unter Beweis stellento demonstrate / to prove (a quality)
- unter dem Strichat the end of the day / when all is said and done
- unter Umständenpossibly / under certain circumstances
- Verantwortung tragento bear responsibility
- Verantwortung übernehmento take responsibility
- Vergleiche anstellento make comparisons
- verkacktscrewed up, botched, blew it (crude colloquial)
- verpeiltscatterbrained, confused, disorganised (colloquial)
- Vertrauen schenkento place trust in
- Vibemood/atmosphere or a person's aura; 'viben' = to be on the same wavelength
- viel Erfolggood luck / much success
- viel Glückgood luck
- viel Spaßhave fun
- viel Wirbel um nichts machento make a big fuss about nothing
- vielen Dankmany thanks
- von Bedeutung seinto be of importance / to matter
- von Dauer seinto last / to be lasting
- von der Hand weisento dismiss / to brush aside
- von der Rolle seinto be exhausted, out of sorts or confused; off one's game
- von grundlegender Bedeutungof fundamental importance
- von vornhereinfrom the outset / from the start
- von Zeit zu Zeitfrom time to time
- vor allemabove all / especially
- vor dem Hintergrundagainst the backdrop of / in the light of
- Vorschub leistento encourage / to abet (something negative)
- wallah'I swear' (lit. 'by God') - emphasizes the truth of a statement
- Warmduschersoftie, wimp (lit. 'warm-showerer'; jocular insult for someone soft/risk-averse)
- was du heute kannst besorgen, das verschiebe nicht auf morgendon't put off till tomorrow what you can do today
- Was geht abwhat's up?, what's going on? (casual greeting)
- was machen Sachenabsurd jokey filler - roughly 'well, things happen / what's going on here'
- Wasser auf die Mühlen seinto be grist to the mill
- wer A sagt, muss auch B sagenin for a penny, in for a pound; once you start, you must follow through
- wer anderen eine Grube gräbt, fällt selbst hineinhe who digs a pit for others falls into it himself
- wer zuletzt lacht, lacht am bestenhe who laughs last laughs best
- Wert darauf legento insist on / to set store by
- Wert legen aufto attach importance to
- Wholesomewholesome; heartwarming, sweet, pure (approving internet slang)
- Widerstand leistento put up resistance / to resist
- wie bittepardon? / what was that?
- wie die Faust aufs Auge passento clash badly - or, ironically, to fit perfectly (both senses are current)
- wie ein Elefant im Porzellanladenlike a bull in a china shop; clumsily and tactlessly
- wie ein Fisch im Wasserin one's element; completely at ease and lively
- wie geht es dirhow are you (informal)
- wie geht es Ihnenhow are you (formal)
- wie heißt duwhat is your name (informal)
- wie spät ist eswhat time is it
- wie viel kostet dashow much does that cost
- wildcrazy, intense, unbelievable (exclamation of astonishment)
- Wingmanwingman; a friend who helps you approach/win over a romantic interest (anglicism)
- Wirkung entfaltento take full effect / to unfold its effect
- Wirkung zeigento have an effect / to take effect
- wissen, wo der Hammer hängtto know exactly how things stand; to know the ropes / be competent
- wokewoke; socially/politically alert (often used pejoratively or ironically in German discourse)
- Wort haltento keep one's word
- Wyldstylized, English-pronounced variant of 'wild' - crazy, heavy, unbelievable
- yappento talk nonstop / ramble about trivial stuff (often mildly pejorative)
- Yeetyeet; to hurl something hard / an exclamation while throwing (energetic meme slang)
- Zeit habento have time
- zu Buche schlagento count / to make a difference (financially)
- zu Ende gehento come to an end
- zu Fuß gehento go on foot / walk
- zu Hauseat home
- zu Rate ziehento consult / to call in (an expert)
- zu spät kommento be / arrive late
- zu Wort kommento get a chance to speak
- zugrunde liegento underlie / to be the basis of
- zugunstenin favour of / for the benefit of
- zugute kommento benefit / to be of benefit to
- zulastenat the expense of / to the detriment of
- zum Ausdruck bringento express / to give voice to
- zum Beispielfor example
- zum Erliegen kommento come to a standstill
- zum Mitnehmento take away
- zum Stillstand kommento grind to a halt
- zum Tragen kommento come into play / to take effect
- zum Vorschein kommento come to light / to emerge
- zumalespecially since / particularly as
- zur Anwendung kommento be applied / to come into use
- zur Auswahl stehento be available as an option / to be on offer
- zur Debatte stehento be up for debate / to be at issue
- zur Diskussion stehento be under discussion
- zur Folge habento result in / to lead to
- zur Geltung kommento come into its own / to show to advantage
- zur Kenntnis nehmento take note of / to acknowledge
- zur Last fallento be a burden to someone
- zur Last legento charge with / to accuse of
- zur Rechenschaft ziehento bring to account / to make answer for
- zur Rede stellento confront / to take to task
- zur Sprache bringento bring up / to raise (a topic)
- zur Sprache kommento come up / to be raised (a topic)
- zur Verantwortung ziehento hold accountable / to call to account
- zur Verfügung stehento be available
- zur Verfügung stellento make available / to provide
- zusehendsvisibly / increasingly (before one's eyes)
- Zuspruch findento find support / to be well received
- zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagento kill two birds with one stone
- Zweifel hegento harbor doubts