15 funny German idioms – Part 2
This lesson keeps all 15 funny idioms from the original. Each idiom comes with its meaning, nuance and a context hint so you can learn them in a fun way while still using them correctly.
Why should you learn idioms?
Idioms are not the first thing you need to learn when starting German, but they are one of the most interesting ways to enrich your vocabulary and understand more about German culture. In particular, the idioms involving Schwein and Wurst in this lesson clearly show the very distinctive flavor of German daily life.
15 funny German idioms
| Idiom | Approximate meaning | When to use |
|---|---|---|
| Das ist mir Wurst. | I don't care. | expressing indifference |
| die Katze im Sack kaufen | to buy without checking first | to buy blindly / get ripped off |
| Du nimmst mich auf den Arm. | You are teasing me. | said when someone jokes too much |
| die beleidigte Leberwurst spielen | to sulk / be huffy for no reason | when someone takes offense |
| Kein Schwein war da. | Nobody was there. | talking about a deserted place |
| Schwein haben. | To get lucky. | talking about unexpected luck |
| Es geht um die Wurst. | It's time to decide. | something very important / urgent |
| unter aller Sau | terribly bad | a very negative judgment |
| schlafen wie ein Murmeltier | to sleep very soundly | talking about deep sleep |
| die Kirche im Dorf lassen | don't overdo it | reminding someone to stay calm |
| dumm wie Bohnenstroh | incredibly stupid | describing someone extremely dumb |
| Da steppt der Bär. | It'll be a lot of fun / very lively. | describing a lively party |
| ein Ohr abkauen | to talk someone's ear off | someone talking too much |
| um den heißen Brei herumreden | to beat around the bush | avoiding the main point |
| Wo sich Fuchs und Hase gute Nacht sagen | a remote, out-of-the-way place | talking about a very distant area |
When learning idioms, don't try to translate word by word. What matters more is understanding the figurative meaning and knowing in which situation the idiom is usually used.
Mẹo học nhanh
Each day just pick 2-3 idioms and make a short sentence about your own life. This helps you remember them much faster than memorizing a list.