12 March 2003
Page Title:
Idioms Resources.
Aufbauen unterwegs!
Hey, that's Greek to me! Just what does that mean to you in English? Most native speakers of English would agree that it means some phrase or term is unknown. It has nothing to do with Greek language, people, or culture, but the meaning is completely comprehensible.
Such phrases or called idioms, and they are a colorful, expressive aspect of any language that teaches us about language stucture and culture. Acquisition and mastery of idioms contribute to coherence and fluency in using the target language. So just how DO you say "That's Greek to me" in German? Stay tuned and you just may found out.
To wish someone luck.
Hals- und Beinbruch!
Good luck! (Literally, neck and leg break, or break a leg.)
Also Montag machst du ein Quiz. Hals- und Beinbruch!
To show persistence.
bei der Stange bleiben
to stick with it (literally to stay harnessed to the shaft)
Wir haben zu viel Hausaufgabe, aber ich werde bei der Stange bleiben.
We have too much homework, but I'm going to stick with it.
To show reliance
auf jemanden Häuser bauen können
to be able to rely on someone (literally to be able to build a house on someone)
Steffi, Lotte, und Helmut kommen bestimmt. Auf die kann man Häuser bauen.
Curious? Neugierig? Then visit us again soon.
*This is the first step toward THE One World Language.
Step Back: Balderdash and bombast in a binomial!
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