Questions tagged [phrase-request]
Suche geläufige Wendung - Questions on finding a phrase that fits a meaning.
188
questions
8
votes
5answers
722 views
German equivalent for Tina Fey's quote, “Bitches get stuff done.”
I am looking for a German expression of Tina Fey's quote “Bitches get stuff done.” So far, I have come up with:
Hündinnen machen Sachen erledigt
Miststücke machen Sachen erledigt
I have also ...
5
votes
4answers
1k views
Indicating heritage rather than nationality
How do you say:
I am of Germany.
rather than
I am from Germany.
I want to indicate heritage rather than nationality. Does one of the following fit?
Ich bin von Deutschland.
Ich bin aus ...
7
votes
7answers
1k views
“variety is the spice of life” in German
Ich suche ein deutsches Sprichwort, ähnlich zum Englischen variety is the spice of life.
Ich finde im Wesentlichen nur eine wörtliche Übersetzung, welche aber meines Wissens nicht im Deutschen ...
0
votes
3answers
2k views
Are there terms in German for different skull shapes?
In English, the term "squarehead" used to refer to Germans and Scandiavians (1), due to their supposedly unusual cranial features (2, 3)
Does the German language have words for the ...
1
vote
2answers
910 views
How to say “eat out”, e.g. at a restaurant? [closed]
English has got an expression to eat out, meaning eating but not preparing the meal for yourself (i.e. restaurant, fast food, kebab etc.). What are ways to express the same in German?
43
votes
9answers
28k views
How to say “by the way” (BTW) in German?
How can I write a by the way shortly in German?
For example:
BTW, that is my mobile number → _____, das ist meine Handynummer.
0
votes
1answer
96 views
Word for expressing a mix of happiness and frustration
I was just wondering if such a word exists in German, does anybody know?
A mix of happiness and frustration.
Context: I have a job to do, I will be happy when it is done but in the meantime I feel ...
3
votes
4answers
388 views
How to say “I can't believe what I am looking at/seeing?”
There are many areas of the German language I struggle with due to the uncertainty of expressing certain nuances of the actual sentiment of the sentence I am trying to express. One of the biggest is ...
3
votes
2answers
353 views
question with 'wie lange/wie viel…'
I have a question on how to correctly say 'how long is it until.../ how many days till.../ how many days are left till...' in German and which one is more common. For example should I say
how many ...
10
votes
9answers
5k views
What is the German equivalent of a rhethorical “What can I do?”?
In English there is a very specific usage of the phrase “What can I do?” that has nothing to do with the literal usage of that question. It’s when that phrase is used as a rhetorical question where ...
4
votes
4answers
3k views
What’s the German equivalent of the Latin phrase: “Non ducor, duco”?
What’s the German equivalent of the following Latin phrase:
Non ducor, duco. – I am not led; I lead.
Conditions:
It does not have to carry the same literal meaning.
It should carry the same ...
3
votes
1answer
131 views
»Parochial« und »parochialism« auf Deutsch
Ich übersetze gerade ein philosophisches Buch eines Physikers, in dem die englischen Wörter parochial und parochialism oft vorkommen. Damit meint der Autor so viel wie Engstirnigkeit, oder einen engen ...
3
votes
3answers
109 views
Deutsches Äquivalent zu »My Word Is Not Gospel«!
Auf Englisch, wenn man seine Meinung äußert und gleichzeitig betonen will, dass sie nur eine Meinung und nicht unbedingt wahr ist, und ihr nicht wie ein Gesetz zu folgen ist, sagt man
My word is ...
2
votes
2answers
115 views
How to say the conjunction “now that” in Geman? [closed]
If I want to say something like:
Now that I have all the files, I can start working.
How much money is left on my account, now that I paid for all that stuff?
How do I say this now that in German?
I ...
1
vote
4answers
306 views
Is there a German word for immense relief after a great work or effort?
Such as spending many hours or days on a great task, and when finished having an immense sens of relief, or a lightening of load?
14
votes
7answers
2k views
Is there a German analog for the English expression, “It's not rocket science”?
I never heard Raketenwissenschaft in this context in Germany. Is this a case of anglicism, or are there better suited German synonyms for this expression?
2
votes
2answers
141 views
German equivalent of “Mutual weirdness forever”
mutual weirdness forever
is a common form of congratulation for weddings, and gift cards with this wording can be found in endless numbers.
How would you say this in German? I need this for a gift ...
2
votes
7answers
278 views
What's an indifferent way to answer “Wie geht's?”
I'm trying to be more expressive and nuanced in my German. In English, I can answer the question "How's it going? How are you?" in three different levels of energy:
Indifferent/Lukewarm:
"It's not ...
5
votes
3answers
85 views
Wort oder Redewendung für neu betrachtete Kindheitserinnerungen
Ich suche ein Wort oder Redewendung die folgende Situation bzw. Gefühl beschreibt:
Wenn man zum Beispiel Jahre später in das frühere Haus/Dorf/... seiner Kindheit zurück kommt und alles sehr viel ...
1
vote
2answers
1k views
Frage zur gewünschten Ankunftszeit formulieren
Ich frage mich, wie man am besten die optimale Ankuftzeit / Reinkommen-Zeit erfragt.
Angenommen mich erwartet morgen ein neuer Arbeitsgeber und ich möchte ihn fragen, welche Uhrzeit seinerseits am ...
5
votes
3answers
4k views
What is the equivalent of “Last but not least”?
It is common in English to begin the last paragraph of a letter with "Last but not least". What is the German equivalent for this phrase and what are the similar structures that one can use for the ...
20
votes
6answers
5k views
How do you say “to play Devil's advocate” in German?
In English, I use the phrase "to play Devil's advocate" quite often, it allows me to ask difficult questions without challenging the other person's position or status too directly.
The nicest ...
2
votes
2answers
213 views
“To the rescue” in German
We have a common phrase in English : "to the rescue", to describe the act of swooping in and saving the situation. I want to say "German to the rescue" to describe the process whereby the German ...
2
votes
1answer
120 views
How do you say 'This took a dark turn.' in German?
How do you say "This took a dark turn / This turned dark real quick/fast"?
Dictionaries offer "dunkel, finster, düster, freudlos", but I don't think these reflect the emotion behind the sentence.
7
votes
1answer
555 views
Phrase request for “work in” in the context of gyms
In gyms, it's common that someone wants to use the equipment that you are using and you're okay with them using the equipment while you are resting. In English, you could ask "Would you like to work ...
2
votes
1answer
101 views
How would you translate “insured for your peace of mind”?
I am currently translating a flyer for my dad's renovation and property maintenance business from English to German (he recently moved to Germany). I am pretty confident with most of what I've done so ...
3
votes
6answers
971 views
Prägnante und kurze deutsche Entsprechung zu “virtue signalling”?
Mir ist jetzt schon ein paar mal aufgefallen, daß wir im Deutschen keine Entsprechung des englischen Begriffs "virtue signalling" (bedeutet etwa: die Zurschaustellung der eigenen Tugendhaftigkeit) zu ...
3
votes
4answers
579 views
German equivalent for “look and feel”
I’m drafting a ‘handwritten’letter to a good friend who has been studying German for the past three years. I’m using my computer to ‘write’ the letter, using the “Mistral” font in 16 point size. The ...
15
votes
4answers
5k views
What is the German equivalent of the proverb 水清ければ魚棲まず (if the water is clear, fish won't live there)?
The proverb's meaning is that just as fish prefer muddy waters and avoid clear streams, people generally do not associate with those who are too ideal in terms of ethics, manners, and habits. In other ...
2
votes
4answers
1k views
What is “I bet” in German? [closed]
In English I always find myself saying "I bet" in this kind of context: "I bet you're well chuffed with it." What would this be in German and could it be used without sounding weird?
6
votes
5answers
2k views
German phrase for 'suited and booted'
What is a German phrase for the English phrase 'suited and booted' meaning that someone or a group of people are prepared, have the necessary equipment, etc.
3
votes
4answers
192 views
Getting away with something in German
I know that "mit etwas davonkommen" is "to get away with" something in the sense of a crime, but can this be used figuratively as well? For example,
Singers can "get away with" less talent today ...
8
votes
4answers
3k views
What is the German equivalent of 干物女 (dried fish woman)?
Literally meaning dried fish woman, the popular slang 干物女 is used to call a woman in her twenties or older who, as nicely summarized in Wikipedia, has many of the following traits:
メールの返事が極端に遅い、短い (...
14
votes
6answers
6k views
Is there a good translation for “Dark horse”?
Ich habe gerade versucht, den englischen Ausdruck "Dark horse" zu übersetzen, und es hat gar nicht funktioniert :). Obwohl das immer witzig ist, kann jemand mir helfen mit einer Übersetzung?
3
votes
3answers
806 views
What were the main German words for a prostitute before 1800?
Prostitution is referred to as the oldest profession, but the German word "Prostituierte" is a borrowing that started being used in the German language around 1800. I would like to know what the ...
5
votes
2answers
424 views
East Frisian term for “little wifey”
I am looking for an East Frisian German term of endearment, epithet, or nickname meaning “little wifey”. My Grandmother came from there and used to call me with this term, but I can’t find the proper ...
7
votes
1answer
153 views
Options for quick email reply to the effect of “I've just done it” or “I've taken care of it”
If I get an email request to do something, what would be some standard polite replies to the effect of "I've just done it" (what you asked for)?
Would
Lieber X,
habe ich gemacht.
Viele Grüße,
Y
...
18
votes
8answers
5k views
German idiomatic equivalents of 能骗就骗 (if you can cheat, then cheat)
A Chinese expression goes:
能骗就骗
(Néng piàn jiù piàn.)
(If you can trick/cheat, then trick/cheat.)
The idea is that there is no reason to be honest just for the sake of being honest. That is, ...
2
votes
2answers
806 views
How do I express compassion in the case of sickness?
My question is as mentioned in the title. My try is
Es tut mir leid, dass du krank bist.
Are there other more typical sentences?
2
votes
2answers
96 views
Paraphrasen gesucht: Jemandem die Sorgen nehmen
Ich suche nach Paraphrasen für folgenden Ausdruck:
Sie haben mir die Sorgen genommen
Gibt es hierfür vielleicht sogar ein einziges Wort, das "Sorgen nehmen" in diesem Anwendungsfall vollständig ...
2
votes
1answer
239 views
What can I send a German widow as a mark of respect?
It's nearly a year since my Gastvater died - what can I send his widow as a mark of respect? I was thinking of an engraved pebble with the phrase gone but never forgotten or German equivalent. I'd ...
1
vote
1answer
103 views
What's the translation of “Youth Leadership Development Foundation”? [closed]
I need a translation of this title "Youth Leadership Development Foundation" but I'm not sure if any of these titles is correct?
Especially I am struggling with a German term for Youth Leadership.
...
-4
votes
2answers
156 views
Can someone tell me a sentence that sounds really angry involving cake [closed]
I want to angrily call one of my friends a cake in a German sentence, but I don’t know German.
4
votes
5answers
13k views
How to informally say “Sending love to you and your family” in German?
Best way to say "Sending love to you (female) and your family" in German? Our families are very close, so it should be informal.
2
votes
3answers
289 views
“How to” construction in German
In English, there is the construction how to + [infinitive], e.g. in:
I don't know how to do such and such thing.
How to this and that is a different matter.
How to win friends and influence people.
...
4
votes
4answers
740 views
Looking for an idiomatic expression meaning “empty vessels make the most noise”
“An empty vessel makes the loudest sound, so they that have the least wit are the greatest babblers.” — Plato
Ich kann es nirgendwo finden. Gibt es ein entsprechendes Idiom auf Deutsch?
11
votes
3answers
4k views
German equivalent of the phrase “poetic licence”
In English there is a phrase, "poetic licence". This means that the author's statement is not strictly true, but has been exaggerated or embroidered a little for the sake of dramatic effect. A similar ...
10
votes
3answers
300 views
“Film” verhält sich zu “Verfilmung” wie “Computerspiel” zu..?
Wenn ein Film produziert wird, der auf einer Literaturvorlage, Comic, Computerspiel etc. basiert, dann nennt man das "Verfilmung". Wie nennt man analog das Produzieren eines Computerspiels, das z.B. ...
11
votes
2answers
4k views
German equivalent to “I rest my case”
Is there a German equivalent to "I rest my case, your honor". It is something typically said by the defense or prosecution in court when they are ready with questioning a witness.
5
votes
3answers
451 views
Is a literal, figurative, or idiomatic translation for “I only have eyes for you” most appropriate?
Some years ago, I tried to translate into German an English line:
I only have eyes for you.
My first attempt was a fairly literal one:
Meine Augen sind nur für dich.
Then I decided that a ...
