Fun German metaphorical phrases

Posts0Likes0Joined17/9/2019LocationMexico City / MX
Native
Spanish
Learning English, German

Hello! I find germans have quite interesting and funny metaphorical phrases, and I wanted to share a log on that. Right now I only have a couple, but I will be expanding.


"Ich bin blau." "Du bist blau."

Literally: "I am blue." "You are blue"

Meaning: "I am drunk." "You are drunk"

(I just find really funny that a color is related to that kind of situation).


"Ich glaub ich spinne."

Literally: "I think I spider."

Meaning: "I think I am going crazy."

(Imagine calling yourself a spider when you are stressed out).





Language shapes our view of the world.

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#1
Posts0Likes0Joined17/9/2019LocationMexico City / MX
Native
Spanish
Learning English, German

"das/es läppert sich"

Meaning: It accumulates.

I honestly couldn't find an English translation for this one, but it means something like: "all these little bits that were once manageable just added up". I am still researching it, so feel free to comment on its meaning and example!

Language shapes our view of the world.

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#2
Posts0Likes0Joined17/9/2019LocationMexico City / MX
Native
Spanish
Learning English, German

"Jain!"

Meaning: yes and no.

This is not metaphorical, but hell I like it. It remembers me of Schrödinger in a funny way. However, it has nothing to do with physics and a cat being both dead and alive. It has to do with situations being in a grey area. Like:

+"do you drink soda" 

-"Jain! Only at parties"

Language shapes our view of the world.

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#3
Posts0Likes0Joined7/11/2018LocationDalian / CN
Native
Chinese - Mandarin
Other English, German

Hallo , sehr gut! any more? 

BR

J.L Wong

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#4
Posts0Likes0Joined17/9/2019LocationMexico City / MX
Native
Spanish
Learning English, German

It's been a while since I updated this. Glad someone liked it! Here's a couple more.


"unter alle Sau" 

E. g. "Die Organisation ist unter aller Sau"

Literally: "It is beneath all sow" (referring to a female pig)

Meaning: "very bad"

Meaning of example: "The organization is holding on very bad" (or so I think)


Synonym: "unter alle Kanone"

Literally: "beneath all canons"

Meaning: "very bad"




Language shapes our view of the world.

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#5
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