Level: B1+ Focus: Common Idioms (Redewendungen).
Part 1: Story & Dialogue
Context: Lukas is telling his German friend Tim about his chaotic day at work. Tim uses a lot of idioms to react.
Tim: Na Lukas, ist alles in Butter bei dir?
Hey Lukas, is everything in butter (everything okay) with you?
Lukas: Nicht wirklich. Mein Chef hat einen Vogel.
Not really. My boss has a bird (is crazy).
Lukas: Er hat mir heute Morgen tausend Aufgaben gegeben.
He gave me a thousand tasks this morning.
Tim: Oh je. Und? Hast du es geschafft?
Oh dear. And? Did you manage?
Lukas: Nein. Ich war total müde. Ich hatte Tomaten auf den Augen.
No. I was totally tired. I had tomatoes on my eyes (didn't see the obvious).
Lukas: Ich habe eine wichtige E-Mail nicht gesehen.
I didn't see an important email.
Tim: Das kann passieren. Mach dir keinen Kopf.
That happens. Don't worry (make yourself no head).
Lukas: Dann hat er mir das neue System erklärt.
Then he explained the new system to me.
Lukas: Aber ehrlich gesagt: Ich habe nur Bahnhof verstanden.
But honestly: I only understood train station (didn't understand anything).
Tim: Haha, das kenne ich. Technik ist nicht dein Ding, oder?
Haha, I know that. Tech isn't your thing, right?
Lukas: Nein. Aber dann hatte ich Schwein.
No. But then I had pig (I got lucky).
Lukas: Meine Kollegin hat mir geholfen.
My colleague helped me.
Tim: Glück gehabt! Ich drücke dir die Daumen, dass morgen besser wird.
Got lucky! I press the thumbs for you (fingers crossed) that tomorrow will be better.
Lukas: Danke. Ich bin jetzt fix und fertig.
Thanks. I am now quick and done (exhausted).
Lukas: Ich gehe ins Bett.
I am going to bed.
Tim: Gute Nacht! Und für morgen: Hals- und Beinbruch!
Good night! And for tomorrow: Neck and leg fracture (Good luck)!
Part 2: The Idiom Decoder
Memorize these. They are gold for social conversations.
The idiom > Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof. literally means "I only understand train station" but actually means I don't understand anything / It's all Greek to me.
The idiom > Alles in Butter. literally means "Everything in butter" but actually means Everything is fine / All good.
The idiom > Einen Vogel haben. literally means "To have a bird" but actually means To be crazy / nuts. (Tap your forehead when saying this).
The idiom > Schwein haben. literally means "To have pig" but actually means To get lucky (unexpectedly).
The idiom > Die Daumen drücken. literally means "To press the thumbs" but actually means Fingers crossed / Wishing luck.
The idiom > Tomaten auf den Augen haben. literally means "To have tomatoes on the eyes" but actually means Not seeing something that is right in front of you.
The idiom > Hals- und Beinbruch. literally means "Neck and leg fracture" but actually means Good luck! (Used mostly for performances or exams).
The idiom > Den Faden verlieren. literally means "To lose the thread" but actually means To lose your train of thought.
The idiom > Jemandem auf den Keks gehen. literally means "To go on someone's cookie" but actually means To get on someone's nerves / annoy them.
The idiom > Die Nase voll haben. literally means "To have the nose full" but actually means To be fed up / sick of something.
Part 3: Usage Tips
1. How to use "Schwein haben" Use this when you were lucky despite a risk.
Example: You forgot your ticket, but the controller didn't check you.
You say: > "Da habe ich echt Schwein gehabt!"
2. How to use "Daumen drücken" This requires the Dative for the person you are wishing luck to.
Ich drücke dir die Daumen. (I cross fingers for you).
Wir drücken euch die Daumen.
3. "Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof" This is the perfect phrase when a native speaker is talking too fast or using complex words. It sounds funny and friendly, unlike > "Ich verstehe nicht," which sounds serious.
German: > "Das derivate Finanzinstrument ist insolvent."
You: > "Sorry, ich verstehe nur Bahnhof."
4. "Die Nase voll haben" This is slightly aggressive/emotional. Use it when you want to quit something.
Ich habe die Nase voll von diesem Wetter! (I've had enough of this weather!).