{"id":13547,"date":"2021-11-17T21:35:54","date_gmt":"2021-11-17T21:35:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/?p=13547"},"modified":"2021-11-17T21:35:54","modified_gmt":"2021-11-17T21:35:54","slug":"11-animal-related-sayings-in-german","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.transparent.com\/german\/11-animal-related-sayings-in-german\/","title":{"rendered":"11 Animal-Related Sayings In German"},"content":{"rendered":"

Guten Tag! Today I have a light-hearted little post for you where you will get to learn some Sprichw\u00f6rter (das Sprichwort: The saying\/proverb). In particular, this post will focus on Sprichw\u00f6rter relating to die Tiere (das Tier: animal)!<\/p>\n

11 animal-related sayings in German<\/h2>\n
\"animal\"

Photo by Hans-Jurgen Mager<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Da steppt der B\u00e4r<\/strong>
\nLiterally: \u2018There dances the bear\u2019<\/em>
\nMeaning: “That\u2019s where the party\u2019s at!” If you and your friends are trying to decide where to go on a Friday night, go to the place \u2018where the bear dances\u2019! Note: the word \u2018steppt\u2019 refers to tap dancing: das Stepptanzen.<\/em><\/p>\n

\"animal\"

Photo by Gary Bendig<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Wissen, wie der Hase l\u00e4uft<\/strong>
\nLiterally: To know how the hare\/rabbit runs<\/em>
\nMeaning: “To know the lay of the land.” This phrase describes someone who is experienced or well-versed in something. \u201cEr wei\u00df, wie der Hase l\u00e4uft\u201d.<\/p>\n

\"animal\"

Photo by alan King<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Er ist bekannt wie ein bunter Hund<\/strong>
\nLiterally: He is as well known as a brightly-coloured dog<\/em>
\nMeaning: “He\u2019s known all over.” This isn’t necessarily about famous people\/celebrities, but rather regular people who are known by everybody in their community!<\/p>\n

\"animal\"

Photo by Christopher Carson<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Ich glaube, mein Schwein pfeift<\/strong>
\nLiterally: I think my pig is whistling<\/em>
\nMeaning: “I can\u2019t believe it.” This phrase is used to express disbelief and shock, though because it\u2019s rather colloquial it\u2019s more suited to light-hearted, trivial things than serious incidents. For example, if your friend who’s always late turns up on time for once, this would be a perfect opportunity to exclaim: ‘Ich glaube, mein Schwein pfeift!’.
\nPS. Did you know there are LOTS of sayings about pigs in German? Click here for more!<\/a><\/p>\n

\"animal\"

Photo by Pratik Bisht<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Wo sich Fuchs und Hase gute Nacht sagen
\n<\/strong>Literally: Where fox and hare\/rabbit say good night to each other<\/em>
\nMeaning: “A place in the middle of nowhere.” This fantastic little phrase is great to use when you\u2019re out in the sticks with no clue where you are; after all, where is<\/em> this mysterious place where a fox and a hare would say goodnight to each other? Exactly\u2026 nowhere!<\/p>\n

\"animal\"

Photo by Nick Fewings<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Kleinvieh macht auch Mist<\/strong>
\nLiterally: Small animals create manure, too<\/em>
\nMeaning: “Every little helps”. Though its literal translation sounds like a negative statement, this phrase means that even the little things count!<\/p>\n

\"animal\"

Photo by Carter Yocham<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Die Kuh vom Eis hohlen<\/strong>
\nLiterally: To get the cow from the ice<\/em>
\nMeaning: “To save the day”. This one is used when you tactfully resolve a problematic or delicate situation.” There\u2019s even a follow-up saying you can use once the problem has been resolved: \u2018Die Kuh ist vom Eis\u2019 \u2013 \u2018The cow is off the ice\u2019!<\/p>\n

\"animal\"

Photo by Eric Ward<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Da liegt der Hase im Pfeffer<\/strong>
\nLiterally: There lies the hare\/rabbit in pepper<\/em>
\nMeaning: “Therein lies the problem”, or “there\u2019s the fly in the ointment”. If there\u2019s some detail that spoils your whole plan, this is what’s known in German as the \u2018rabbit in pepper\u2019.<\/p>\n

\"animal\"

Photo by Dustin Bowdige<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Hunde, die bellen, bei\u00dfen nicht
\n<\/strong>Literally: Dogs who bark don\u2019t bite<\/em>
\nMeaning: “Empty vessels make the most noise.” This is a great way to describe people who are all talk and no action!
\nPS. There are signs dog-owners can buy that say, \u201cHunde, die bellen, bei\u00dfen nicht\u2026 Ich belle nicht!\u201d<\/em> on them. This means, \u201cDogs who bark don\u2019t bite\u2026 I don\u2019t bark!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n

\"animal\"

Photo by Dorothea OLDANI<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Eine Katze mit Handschuhen f\u00e4ngt keine M\u00e4use<\/strong>
\nLiterally: A cat wearing gloves catches no mice<\/em>
\nMeaning: You won\u2019t get what you want if you are too cautious or comfortable; or, sometimes you have to get your hands dirty. A reminder that it pays to be a little more assertive (assertive: durchsetzungsf\u00e4hig<\/em>).<\/p>\n

\"animal\"

Photo by Gary Meulemans<\/a> on Unsplash<\/a><\/p><\/div>\n

Besser ein lebender Hund als ein toter L\u00f6we
\n<\/strong>Literally: Better a live dog than a dead lion<\/em>
\nMeaning: “Don\u2019t be a hero”. There is no use in being a hero if you are dead. This same saying exists in English and stems from die Bibel<\/em> (the Bible).<\/p>\n

*<\/p>\n

And there we have just some of the many animal-related sayings the German language has to offer! Did you learn a new one today? Which is your favourite?<\/p>\n

Bis bald (see you soon)!
\nConstanze<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"\"animal\"

Guten Tag! Today I have a light-hearted little post for you where you will get to learn some Sprichw\u00f6rter (das Sprichwort: The saying\/proverb). In particular, this post will focus on Sprichw\u00f6rter relating to die Tiere (das Tier: animal)! 11 animal-related sayings in German Da steppt der B\u00e4r Literally: \u2018There dances the bear\u2019 Meaning: “That\u2019s where…<\/p>\n

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