5 Amazing German Sayings: Inspiring, Confusing And Just Plain Funny!

One way you can make your German sound native is to learn Redensarten. These are German sayings used to express thoughts, actions and feelings. Expressions like these are also used in the English language such as:
“Once in a blue moon”
“Hit two birds with one stone”
“A perfect storm”
By learning these expressions your German is definite to sound more native! Here are some examples:

1. “Ich kriege so eine Krawatte”
   This is a funny expression that really makes no sense when you hear it in conversation. Literally it translates to “I get such a tie”, but actually Germans use it when they are really angry about something. Here are a few examples:• Ich kriege so eine Krawatte, wenn Lucy mein letztes Ibuprofen nimmt. “It really annoys me when Lucy takes my last Ibuprofen”
   • Ich kriege so eine Krawatte, wenn man mit mir auf Englisch reden will. Ich muss Deutsch üben! “It really annoys me when someone wants to speak to me in English. I have to practice my German!”
2. “ Du gehst mir auf den Keks”
   If somebody is being really annoying or is just getting on your nerves, this is the perfect expression for you. Its literal translation is “You’re getting on my cookie”, and can be used whenever someone is being bothersome. Here’s an example:
   • David, hör auf! Du gehst mir auf den Keks. “Stop it David, you’re getting on my nerves.”
3. “Ins Fettnäpfchen treten”
   Ever said something you instantly regret? Well this is the German equivalent of the English’s “putting your foot in your mouth”. The appropriate translation is “To step into the fat bowl” which is probably how everyone felt at that moment.
4. “Ich bin bis über beide Ohren verliebt”
   If you’re passionately in love with someone, this is the perfect case for using this expression. It literally translates to “I’m over both ears in love” or the famous “I’m head over heels in love”. Basically it means that you’re so full of love that it’s going over your ears.
5. “Das ist nicht mein Bier”
   Has anyone told you a problem you really don’t care about or you want nothing to do with? Germans usually express this with five simple words, that literally translates to “That’s not my beer”, meaning that problem doesn’t affect you in any way.