25 expressions that will brighten up your German

Sayings to put something into perspective

Soften or put something into perspective with these expressions:

• Alle Fünf gerade sein lassen = Don't take it too seriously
• Schwamm drüber = Let's forget about it
• Das wird schon = It'll be alright
• Uns bleibt nichts anderes übrig = There's no other option
• Das ist mir Wurst = I couldn't care less

Sayings for when you're at a loss

Stress, confusion or clarification? These are your expressions:

• Nur Bahnhof verstehen = Not being able to follow
• Es wächst mir über den Kopf = It's all getting too much for me
• Ich falle aus allen Wolken = I’m completely shocked
• Mir fällt ein Stein vom Herzen = That's a weight off my mind

Sayings for when you want to make something clear

If you want to make a point or create clarity, these expressions will help you:

• Den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen = To hit the nail on the head
• Reinen Tisch machen = To lay everything on the table
• Jemanden auf dem Laufenden halten = To keep someone informed
• Das ist unter Dach und Fach = That's a done deal

Sayings to express how things are going

Are things going well or could they be better? With a good German expression, things are always better.

• Alles in Butter = Everything's fine
• Alles im grünen Bereich = Everything's fine
• Keinen Bock haben = Not in the mood
• Stolz wie Oskar sein = Proud as a peacock
• Jemanden auf die Palme bringen = To get on someone's nerves
• Jemanden aus der Reserve locken = To get someone to open up

Sayings to talk about your work or plans

Even in a serious conversation, a few well-placed expressions can add some colour to your German. Take a look:

• Das geht den Bach runter = That's going down the drain
• Alte Kamellen aufwärmen = Bringing up old issues
• Auf dem Teppich bleiben = Staying realistic
• Auf Nummer sicher gehen = Playing it safe
• Alles auf eine Karte setzen = Risk everything
• Blau machen = Play hooky

You may not realise it, but you already use many expressions in your own language without even noticing. Like in this sentence: realise... It’s the same when speaking a foreign language. You often think: “How do I say that in German or English?”

Suppose you are taking a German conversation class and you don't know an expression. The language trainer will help you with that right away. That’s one reason why individual training is so effective. You only learn the expressions that you would also use in your native language. That way, you stay close to your own communication style.

The sayings in this article are a good start. Can you use a few of them in your next German e-mail, telephone conversation or chat with a colleague?