Funny and Interesting German Idioms You Should Know
Learning German gets way more fun when you start using idioms! They make you sound cool, confident, and super fluent. Here are some funny and crazy German phrases that will instantly make your German sparkle!
1. Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof
(Pronunciation: Ish fershteh nur bahn-hof)
Meaning: I don’t understand anything!
Example:
Your German friend is explaining some complicated grammar... you can just smile and say, "Sorry, ich verstehe nur Bahnhof!" (I didn’t get a single word!)
2. Die Katze im Sack kaufen
(Pronunciation: Dee kat-ze im zak kau-fen)
Meaning: Buying something without checking properly
Example:
Your friend buys a second-hand phone online without seeing it. You can tease them, "Arre yaar, you bought the Katze im Sack!"
3. Da steppt der Bär
(Pronunciation: Da shtept der bear)
Meaning: It's a crazy party!
Example:
After attending a wedding sangeet, you can tell everyone, "Bhai, wahan to full da steppt der Bär tha!" (That place was rocking!)
4. Jemandem einen Korb geben
(Pronunciation: Yemandem aynen korb gay-ben)
Meaning: To reject someone (romantically)
Example:
If someone got friendzoned, you can joke, "Poor guy, usko to full Korb mil gaya!" (He got totally rejected.)
5. Jetzt geht’s um die Wurst
(Pronunciation: Yetz geh-ts oom dee vorst)
Meaning: Now it’s serious, crunch time!
Example:
Before your final exams, tell your study group, "Abhi toh boss, geht’s um die Wurst!" (Now it's all or nothing!)
6. Den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen
(Pronunciation: Den nah-gel auf den kopf tref-fen)
Meaning: To be exactly right, spot-on
Example:
If someone gives a perfect answer, say, "Wah, you hit den Nagel auf den Kopf!" (You nailed it!)
7. Tomaten auf den Augen haben
(Pronunciation: Toh-mah-ten auf den ow-gen hab-en)
Meaning: Not noticing what's right in front of you
Example:
You’re looking for your phone and it's in your hand? Your friend will laugh and say, "Bhai, tumko to Tomaten auf den Augen hain!" (You're totally blind to it!)
Why Use These Idioms?
Because real German isn’t textbook boring — it’s funny, alive, and full of crazy expressions!
Next time you chat in German, throw one of these in and watch your conversations instantly become cooler.
Because at TLS, we don’t just teach you textbook German — we teach you how to live the language. Speak like a native, connect with people, and have fun while you're at it!
Ready to swap your textbooks for dancing bears, flying tomatoes, and serious sausages?
Join TLS and start speaking German like a real local!
