How to learn German fast - memorise famous sayings 4
Here as promised is the last instalment in this series of German language resources. There will be more German language resources in future posts to help you revise, learn and improve your German language skills and the command of the language. As I've said, language learning is assisted by the memorisation and learning of various phrases and proverbs. Here is the last instalment in this series for you, right here on my How to Learn German Fast site. Enjoy and learn!
German sayings that will help you learn German, the last instalment of German language proverbs and phrases:
Viele Hände macht leicht Arbeit.
Many hands make light work
Vier Augen sehen mehr als zwei.
Four eyes see more than two.
Vom Regen in die Traufe.
Out of the rain and into the eaves.
(English equivalent: Out of the frying pan and into the fire.)
Von nichts kommt nichts.
From nothing comes nothing.
Was dem einen recht ist, ist dem anderen billig.
What's right for one, is fair for the other.
(English equivalent that we always use when speaking the English Language: One man's meat is another man's poison.)
Was der Bauer nicht kennt, das frisst er nicht.
What the peasant doesn't know, he doesn't eat.
(This German phrase can be used to criticise someone who refuses to learn and to adapt to something new.)
Was du heute kannst besorgen, das verschiebe nicht auf morgen.
Don't postpone things you can do today to tomorrow.
Was nicht ist, kann noch werden.
What isn't yet can still become.
Was man sich eingebrockt hat, das muss man auch auslöffeln.
What one dishes out, he must also eat.
Was Hänschen nicht lernte, lernt Hans nimmermehr.
What Hänschen (this is German for "little Hans") didn't learn, (the fully grown up same) Hans will never learn.
Wasser unter der Brücke.
Water beneath the bridge.
(It is in the past.)
Wem der Schuh passt, der zieht ihn sich an.
He whom the shoe fits puts it on.
(If something (usually bad) true has been said about you, better to accept it than to disagree/ lose your temper. This one I found most amusing.)
Wenn der Reiter nichts taugt, ist das Pferd schuld.
If the horseman is bad, it's the horse's fault.
Wenn Gauner sich streiten kommt die Wahrheit ans Licht.
When scoundrels argue, the truth is revealed.
Wer A sagt, muss auch B sagen.
If you say A, you have to say B as well.
Wer nicht will, der hat schon.
Who wants not, has already.
(He who does not want something already has enough.)
Wer zuletzt lacht, lacht am besten.
He who laughs last, laughs best.
Wer nicht wagt, der nicht gewinnt.
Who wagers nothing, he wins nothing.
Wer anderen eine Grabe gräbt, fällt selbst hinein.
Who digs a pit/ grave for others falls into it himself.
Wer zuerst kommt, mahlt zuerst.
Who comes first, grinds (his grain) first.
Wes' Brot ich ess, des' Lied ich sing.
Whose bread I eat, that's whose song I sing.
(This is something I say all the time! Haha: He who pays the piper calls the tune.)
Wer die Wahl hat, hat die Qual.
Who has the choice, has the suffering.
Wie man in den Wald hineinruft, so schallt es zurück.
Just as one calls into the forest, so it echoes back.
Wie man sich bettet, so liegt man.
As you put yourself to bed, so you will lie.
(As you made your bed, so lie in it.)
Wie Pech und Schwefel.
Like pitch and sulphur.
Wenn zwei sich streiten, freut sich der Dritte.
When two quarrel, the third rejoices.
Wer nicht hören will, muss fühlen.
He who doesn't want to listen will have to experience.
Wer rastet, der rostet.
He who rests, will be rusting.
Zeit ist Geld.
Time is money. (Henry Ford)
Zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagen.
Hit two flies with one fly swatter.
(Be efficient. Come on, this is a German thing, isn't it? :) )
I've not included in this list of proverbs those that are vulgar, non traditional, uncommon, unnecessary and also those that are in German dialects or in German language variations. Do take note! Nonetheless, the pedagogy and learning are not negatively affected, so there are still lots of things to learn and revise here. Thank you, danke.
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