Nina Schmidt ~ Vancouver German and Spanish Lessons

Tag: idioms

  • Common German Idioms

    Common German Idioms

    Idioms can be fun and a challenge to learn in a foreign language. Here are some great ones in German!

    1. um den heißen Brei herumreden

    Literally: to talk around the hot porridge
    English equivalent: to beat around the bush

    2. Da kannst du Gift drauf nehmen

    Literally: You can take poison on that
    English equivalent: You can bet your life on that

    3. sich zum Affen machen

    Literally: to make an ape of oneself
    English equivalent: to make a fool of oneself

    4. eine Extrawurst verlangen

    Literally: to ask for an extra sausage
    English Equivalent: to ask for special treatment

    5. Da steppt der Bär

    Literally: The bear dances there
    English Equivalent: It will be a good party

    6. Tomaten auf den Augen haben

    Literally: to have tomatoes on one’s eyes
    English Equivalent: to be oblivious to what is going around you

    7. Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof

    Literally: I can only understand “train station.”
    English equivalent: It’s all Greek to me.

     

  • Grammar Tips – What are Idioms?

    Grammar Tips – What are Idioms?

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    It seems that nothing frustrates learners of a foreign language more than idioms. Idioms are those phrases that cannot be translated directly from one language to another. They often involve turns of phrase, animals, colors or emotions in strange combinations! Here are some amusing idioms from various languages that, when translated directly, would make any foreigner to the language scratch their head.

    He has been blue. = He has been sad.

    He was caught red-handed. = He was caught in the act.

    Por si las moscas (in case of flies!) = Just in case.

    Andar como perros y gatos (walk like dogs and cats) = to always be arguing.

    Das Blaue von Himmel versprechen (to promise the blue from the sky) = to promise someone the moon.

    Tomaten auf den Augen haben (to have tomatoes on your eyes) = to be oblivious to what’s going on.

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

  • Grammar Tips: Common Idioms with ‘estar’

    Grammar Tips: Common Idioms with ‘estar’

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    The Spanish verb estar has many idiomatic expressions associated with it. Idioms are phrases or sentences that do not translate directly from one language to another. A common example in English is ‘ it’s raining cats and dogs.’ Idioms developed over time in languages and sometimes the origin of them is known and other times it is unknown. They are a colourful part of any language and should be learned along with regular vocabulary and grammar to become a fluent speaker. Here are some of the more common idioms with estar:

     

    estar de viaje                                                 to be travelling

    estar de vacaciones                                   to be on vacation

    estar de negocios                                        to be somewhere on business

    estar de moda                                    to be in fashion/style

    estar en forma                                   to be in shape

    estar de acuerdo                                to be in agreement

    estar de jefe                                                     to be the acting boss

    estar en un lío                                                to be in a mess/trouble

    estar de rodillas                                            to be kneeling

    estar de pie                                                       to be standing

    estar de buen/mal humor                     to be in a good/bad mood

     

    Being mindful when using adjectives with estar to agree your adjective with your noun!

     

    estar hecho/a polvo                                 to be worn out

    estar hecho/a una sopa                             to be soaking wet

    estar apurado/a                                              to be in a hurry

     

  • Grammar Tips: Expressing ‘to’ in German with verbs of motion

    Grammar Tips: Expressing ‘to’ in German with verbs of motion

    travelUnlike English, German uses a variety of prepositions to express ‘to’ with verbs of motion. What follows is a concise study guide to this tricky aspect of German grammar.

     A. With geographic place names

    When traveling to a geographic place name, use the preposition nach. This includes: countries, cities, towns, etc.

    I am flying to Germany.                                                                                                                                                     Ich fliege nach Deutschland.

    *Exception: if the place name is preceded by an article. This includes: die Schweiz, der Libanon, die Türkei, der Jemen, die USA (Plural), der Iran, die Niederlande (Plural), der Irak etc.

    I am flying to Switzerland.                                                                                                                                               Ich fliege in die Schweiz.

    B. With places around town:

    With places around town, either the preposition ‘in’ is used in the accusative case, or the proposition ‘zu’ is used in the dative case. Contractions are commonly employed.

    I am going to the market.                                                                                                                                                 Ich gehe in den or zum (zu+dem) Markt.

    C. Idiomatic usages

    The following examples are idiomatic in nature and must simply be memorized:

    I am going to the bank/post office.                                                                                                                               Ich gehe auf die Bank/Post.

    I am going home.                                                                                                                                                               Ich gehe nach Hause.

    We are driving to the coast.                                                                                                                                             Wir fahren an die Küste.

  • Grammar Tips: Idiomatic Expressions

    Idiomatic expressions or idioms are phrases that do not translate directly from one language to another and are often couched in the history and language of a specific culture. A good example of an idiom is, “it’s raining cats and dogs.” To a native English speaker it is obvious that people’s pets are not literally falling from the sky but to a learner of English this expression could be very confusing indeed!

    Below are some useful idiomatic expressions. Integrating idioms into your everyday conversation is essential to achieving fluency in a foreign language.

    In Spanish:

    Me estás tomando el pelo.
    (You are taking me by the hair)
    You’re pulling my leg.

    Voy a consultarlo con la almohada.
    (I’m going to consult my pillow about it)
    I’m going to sleep on it.

    Siempre me da la lata.
    (He’s always giving me the can)
    He’s always bothering me.

    La entrevista va a ser pan comido.
    (The interview will be eaten bread)
    The interview will be a piece of cake.

    Aquí hay gato encerrado.
    (There is an enclosed cat here)
    Something here smells fishy.

    Cuesta un ojo de la cara.
    (It costs an eye off the face)
    It costs an arm and a leg.

    In German:

    Ich habe die Nase voll.
    (I have my nose full)
    I am fed up.

    Es ist mir Wurst.
    (It is sausage to me)
    I don’t care.

    Ich drücke dir die Daumen.
    (I will press my thumbs for you)
    I will keep my fingers crossed for you.

    Was ich nicht weiss, macht mich nicht heiß.
    (What I don’t know doesn’t make me hot)
    What I don’t know can’t hurt me.

    Nimmst du mich auf den Arm?
    (Are you taking me by the arm?)
    Are you pulling my leg?

    Das ist ein Hundewetter.
    (It is dog weather)
    It’s raining cats and dogs.

    If you have have had a funny experience with a foreign idiom visit my Facebook fan page to share or comment below!