Chapter 21

Ten Phrases That Make You Sound German

This chapter provides you with some typical German expressions that almost everyone who speaks German knows and uses. These phrases are so very German that you may even pass for a native German speaker when you use them.

Schönes Wochenende!

Schönes Wochenende! (shern-es voH-en-en-de!) means Have a good weekend! You hear people wishing this to one another starting as early as Friday morning if they won’t see each other again until the next week.

Gehen wir!

Gehen wir! (gey-en veer!) translates to Let’s go! You can also use this as a question to say Shall we go? by ending the phrase with a rising intonation.

Was ist los?

The question Was ist los? (vâs ist lohs?) or What’s happening? is most commonly used in the sense of What’s wrong?

Das klingt gut!

Das klingt gut! (dâs klinkt gooht!) is the German way of saying That sounds good! You can tell someone that his suggestion to do something is a good idea with this phrase.

Keine Ahnung

Keine Ahnung (kayn-e ahn-oong) translates to no idea. This is the short version of Ich habe keine Ahnung (iH hah-be kayn-e anh-oong) (I have no idea) and is frequently used to express that you know nothing about the matter in question.

Es zieht!

Use Es zieht! (ês tseet!) to declare There’s a draft! For some reason, Germans are very sensitive about drafts, so if you’re feeling cold because the window’s open, this expression is for you. Word for word, it actually means It pulls.

Nicht zu fassen!

Nicht zu fassen! (niHt tsooh fâs-en!) means I can’t believe it! If you want to express disbelief, concern, or agitation, use this typically German phrase.

Du hast Recht!/Sie haben Recht!

The informal expression Du hast Recht! (dooh hâst rêHt!) and it’s formal equivalent, Sie haben Recht! (zee hah-ben rêHt!) translate to You’re right! This is a typical way of expressing agreement in German.

Lass es!

Lass es! (lâs ês!) is the informal German way of saying Let it be! When you want to say Leave that matter alone, you can use this phrase.

Nicht schlecht!

Nicht schlecht! (niHt shlêHt!) is the German equivalent of Not bad! As in English, this phrase not only means that something is not too bad, but it’s also a reserved way of expressing appreciation and approval.