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Tasty Talk: A Smorgasbord of Sayings

Mike Fulson

by: Mike Fulson  /  Artist, Tech Guy, German son!

Hello, food lovers and language enthusiasts!

Let's take a flavorful journey through the world of German expressions -- whether you're whipping up your Oma's special recipes or just curious about German culture, you're in for a treat. :)

So let's dive into some delicious German food idioms that'll spice up your conversations!

German idioms

The Meat and Potatoes of German Idioms

German idioms, well, they're like the secret ingredients in your oma's best recipes – they bring life and character to the language.

And boy, do Germans love their food-related sayings!

So, let's cut to the chase and serve up some of the most delicious German food quotes and sayings!

1. "Jemandem die Suppe versalzen"

(To oversalt someone's soup)

Ever had someone spoil your plans? In German, they're not "raining on your parade" – they're "oversalting your soup!"

Traditional German Hearty Goulash Soup Recipe – Oma's Gulaschsuppe

Easy German Green Bean Soup Recipe – Oma's Grüne Bohnensuppe

2. "Alles hat ein Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei"

(Everything has an end, only the sausage has two)

Life's not all sunshine and rainbows, but at least we have sausages, right? This cheeky saying reminds us that all good things come to an end – well, except for wurst!

Oma's Authentic German Bratwurst and Sauerkraut

How to Cook Sausage: Oma's Secret Method for German Grilled Bratwurst

3. "Das ist mir Wurst"

(That's sausage to me)

No, Germans aren't obsessed with sausages (okay, maybe a little!).

This actually means "I don't care" or "it's all the same to me." Next time you're feeling meh, just say, "it's all sausage!"

4. "Jetzt geht's um die Wurst"

(Now it's about the sausage)

The stakes are high, and it's all about the sausage! Use this when you're facing a make-or-break moment. "It's now or never!"

German Kale and Sausage Soup – Oma's Grünkohl und Wurstsuppe

What To Serve With Bratwurst Sausages

5. "Die beleidigte Leberwurst spielen"

(To play the offended liverwurst)

This expression describes someone who gets upset easily, or is in a huff. So next time your friend is being overly sensitive, you can let slip a little, "stop playing the offended liverwurst!"

6. "Seinen Senf dazugeben"

(To add one's mustard)

We all probably know a person who always has to chime in.

In Germany, they're not adding their two cents – they're adding mustard! You can casually use this saying when someone offers their unsolicited opinion.

Vegan German Mustard Sauce Recipe – Sylvie's vegane Senfsosse

German Eggs with Mustard Sauce – Oma's Eier in Senfsosse

7. "Tomaten auf den Augen haben"

(To have tomatoes on one's eyes)

No, we're not talking a beauty treatment here...

If someone's oblivious to something obvious, they've got "tomatoes on their eyes". They can't see what's right in front of them. :)

German Tomato Salad Recipe – Oma's Tomatensalat

Easy Tomato Bisque Soup – Oma's Tomaten-Bisque-Suppe

8. "Jetzt mal Butter bei die Fische"

(Put butter on the fish now)

When it's time to get serious, Germans add butter to their fish. This idiom means "let's get down to business" or "let's get to the point."

Easy Salmon Fillet Recipes – Oma's gebackener Lachs Rezepte

German Baked Fish au Gratin – Oma's Überbackener Fisch mit Kase

9. "Klar wie Kloßbrühe"

(Clear as dumpling broth)

When something's "crystal clear" in German, it's as clear as "dumpling broth". Who knew dumplings could be so enlightening?

German Liver Dumplings Soup – Oma's Leberknödel Suppe

Oma's Kartoffelklöße – German Potato Dumplings

10. "Sich die Rosinen herauspicken"

(To pick out the raisins)

We all know that person who always goes for the best bits, right? In German, they're "picking out the raisins". It means to choose only the best or most advantageous parts for oneself.

German Sweet Roll Recipe with Raisins – Oma's Rosinenbrötchen

And just one more!

11. "Alles in Butter"

(Everything in butter)

When everything's going smoothly, Germans say it's "all in butter." Because butter makes everything better!

There we go!

Using these food-related German idioms is like adding the perfect seasoning to your language skills. They'll help you connect with German speakers on a deeper level, showing that you understand not just their words, but their culture too.

Just imagine the smile on your Oma's face when you casually drop "Das ist mir Wurst" into conversation! :)

With that, don't forget, there's always more coming! Keep an eye out for the next "Little Nibbles" in your inbox for more Oma-approved tips & bits (and if you're not getting those, sign up today!)

Cheers, :)

Mike

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