German · Upper intermediate (B2) · Chapter 8 of 12
Idioms and everyday speech
Redewendungen im Alltag
Sound natural in everyday German: modal particles like doch, ja, mal, halt and eben, common idioms, and the short forms of spoken German.
In this chapter you'll learn to
- Use modal particles like doch, ja, mal, halt and eben
- Understand and use common idioms
- Recognise the short forms of spoken German: hab, gibt's, 'nen
- Comfort and encourage a friend
Listen
In Halle, Pia (26) comes home from a job interview. Her flatmate Timo (28) wants to know how it went. Listen to the whole dialogue first, then line by line.
Timo
Und, wie war's? Hast du den Job?
So, how was it? Did you get the job?
Pia
Keine Ahnung. Ich glaub, ich bin total ins Fettnäpfchen getreten.
No idea. I think I really put my foot in it.
Timo
Oh nein. Was ist denn passiert?
Oh no. What happened?
Pia
Am Anfang lief's super. Dann hab ich erzählt, dass mein alter Chef total chaotisch war. Und dann sagt die Frau: „Ach, Sie haben bei meinem Bruder gearbeitet?“
At first it went really well. Then I said my old boss was totally chaotic. And then the woman says: “Oh, you worked for my brother?”
Timo
Das gibt's doch nicht. Und was hast du dann gesagt?
You're joking. And what did you say then?
Pia
Erst mal gar nichts. Ich stand total auf dem Schlauch. Dann hab ich gesagt: „Aber er ist ein sehr netter Mensch.“
Nothing at first. My mind went completely blank. Then I said: “But he's a very nice person.”
Timo
Na ja, das war doch gar nicht so schlecht. Sie hat ja gesehen, dass du ehrlich bist.
Well, that wasn't so bad at all. She could see that you're honest.
Pia
Meinst du? Die Stelle wär halt perfekt für mich gewesen. Das ist so peinlich.
Do you think so? The job would just have been perfect for me. It's so embarrassing.
Timo
Mach dir mal keinen Kopf. Wenn's klappen soll, dann klappt's eben. Wann sagen sie dir Bescheid?
Don't worry about it. If it's meant to work out, it'll work out. When are they letting you know?
Pia
Bis Freitag. Drückst du mir die Daumen?
By Friday. Will you keep your fingers crossed for me?
Timo
Na klar. Und wenn nicht, ist das auch kein Weltuntergang. Du findest bestimmt was anderes.
Of course. And if not, it's not the end of the world. You're sure to find something else.
Pia
Du hast ja recht. Komm, wir gehen 'nen Kaffee trinken. Ich lad dich ein.
You're right. Come on, let's go for a coffee. My treat.
Understand
Modal particles: doch, ja, mal, halt, eben, denn
Spoken German is full of small words that don't change the facts of a sentence but show how the speaker feels about it: surprised, friendly, resigned. They're called modal particles (). English expresses the same with tone of voice or with words like “just”, “really” or “after all”.
They usually stand in the middle of the sentence, after the verb and pronouns, and they're never stressed. Don't overuse them, but a sentence without them can sound cold: is an order, is a friendly invitation.
| Particle | What it adds | Example |
|---|---|---|
| surprise, contradiction; makes a suggestion friendlier | / | |
| “as we both know” | ||
| softens a request or an instruction | ||
| / | “that's just how it is”; is more informal | |
| interest in a question | ||
| reassurance: “it'll be fine” |
Common idioms
Idioms () are fixed phrases whose meaning you can't guess from the words. They're used all the time in everyday German, so it's worth knowing the most common ones, even if you don't use them yourself at first.
| Idiom | Literally | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| to step into the little fat pot | to put your foot in it | |
| to stand on the hose | to not get it, to have a blank | |
| to not make yourself a head | to not worry | |
| to press your thumbs for someone | to keep your fingers crossed | |
| That's not the end of the world. | It's not a disaster. | |
| to have a pig | to be lucky | |
| to have tomatoes on your eyes | to not see something obvious |
Short forms in spoken German
In relaxed speech, people drop sounds. The -e of the form often disappears: . shrinks to 's and joins the word before: . and become and , and becomes :
You'll hear these forms everywhere and see them in text messages. In formal writing, use the full forms: , , .
- Hast du mal 'ne Minute?Have you got a minute?
- Ich hab keine Zeit.I haven't got time.
More in the grammar: Modal particles: doch, ja, mal, halt, eben, denn · The n-declension: der Student, den Studenten
New words
- Keine Ahnung.No idea. · = idea, notion
- ins Fettnäpfchen tretento put your foot in it · Perfekt:
- der Anfangbeginning, start · masculine, plural: ; = at first
- gut laufento go well · Präteritum: ; Perfekt:
- der Chef / die Chefinboss · plural: /
- erst malfirst, for now · spoken form of
- auf dem Schlauch stehento not get it, to have a blank · = hose
- der Menschperson, human being · masculine, n-declension: ; plural:
- peinlichembarrassing · = I'm embarrassed about it.
- sich keinen Kopf machento not worry · = Don't worry!
- klappento work out, to go well · informal: = Did it work out?
- jemandem die Daumen drückento keep your fingers crossed for someone ·
- der Weltuntergangthe end of the world · masculine; = world
- einladento invite; to treat (someone) · = It's my treat. / I'll pay.
Practise
1.Pia says: “” What does she mean?
2.Complete Timo's question with a modal particle that shows interest.
What happened?
3.Complete the idiom.
Will you keep your fingers crossed for me?
4.Put the words in order.
Tap the words below in the right order.Don't worry about it.
5.Match the idioms with their meanings.
Pick a word on the left, then its meaning on the right.
6.Which is the full, written form of “”?
0 of 6 exercises done.
Say it out loud
Das gibt's doch nicht.
You're joking. / I don't believe it.
Listen, then say it out loud, as close to the recording as you can.
Check
Five questions on this chapter. Then mark it as finished to add its words to your review deck.
0 of 5 answered.