What does it mean and how is it used? It’s not that easy to get a German to engage in a conversation but if you know someone very well you can easily start a sentence with “ Na?” and they will respond. **The literal translation is: “**What’s up?” If you want to use this expression correctly in German say: “ Ich bin fix und fertig!” Alternatively, you could also say “ Ich bin fix und alle” – where the word “ alle” refers to “empty”. In English, you would probably say something along the lines of “I am completely knackered” or “I am all wiped out”. What does it mean and how is it used? This phrase is commonly used to express that you are completely exhausted. The literal translation is: “To be fixed and finished” A comparable English phrase would be “I think I’m going crazy”. Nonetheless, this phrase is widely used throughout Germany to express one’s surprise (both in a positive or negative way) or to show great disbelief about a situation. However, since the actual origin of this idiom is debatable, the word “ spinne” could also derive form the verb “ spinnen” (to spin). What does it mean and how is it used? Germans love their metaphors – especially if they include animals. The literal translation is: “I believe I spider” If you are looking for an English equivalent, “I think a horse is kicking me” probably comes closest. Germans use the phrase when they cannot believe something to be true or to express that they’re really surprised. In fact, this is the origin of the expression – because a whistling pig would be so ridiculous that no one would believe it anyway. What does it mean and how is it used? Before you think we’ve gone totally bonkers, we know the idea of a whistling pig is ridiculous. The literal translation is: “I think my pig whistles” To say it correctly, you would word it this way: “ Ich drück’ dir die Daumen!” or in English: “I’ll keep my fingers crossed for you”. It is often also accompanied with someone raising their fists and showing you that they are literally pressing their thumbs for you. What does it mean and how is it used? In Germany they use this expression to wish someone good luck. The literal translation is: “To press your thumbs for someone” In English the equivalent expression would be “It’s all Greek to me”. What does it mean and how is it used? If someone tells you “ Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof” (I only understand train station), it means that they have absolutely no clue what you are talking about and you will either need to explain it again or change the topic completely. The literal translation is: “To only understand train station”
Germans often use this phrase as a simple response – so if someone asks you ” Was möchtest du heute machen?” (What would you like to do today?”) and you don’t have a preference, you can simply reply with “ Das ist mir Wurst!” Fancy sounding even more like a local? Adapt the word “_Wurs_t” to “ Wurscht” – which is the southern slang for sausage. What does it mean and how is it used? This expressions is used if you are indifferent or don’t care about something. The literal translation is: “This is sausage to me”
ICH VAN DER GUT TRAINSLATION DRIVER
Use these with your taxi driver in Berlin, or in conversation with that cute barista in Munich, and you’re guaranteed to get at least a smile (and possibly better service). Beyond that, I’d argue that it’s one of the most expressive languages out there – as these strange expressions prove. And although it’s not one of the most spoken languages in the world, it does have nearly 100 million native speakers, and another 100 million that speak it as a second or third language. It sounds harsh, seems impossible to learn and has absurdly long words (“ Donaudampfschifffahrtsgesellschaftskapitän” may be my personal favorite). For many, the German language remains a mystery.
0 kommentar(er)
