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Study Resource: German sayings and expressions with demonstrative pronouns

By: Dr. Daniel Krauße

Here are some German sayings and expressions that use demonstrative pronouns:

  • Der/Die ist nicht von gestern.
    Translation: This one wasn't born yesterday.
  • Der/Die ist unmöglich!
    Translation: This one is impossible.
    refers to someone's inappropriate behavior, not the difficulty of a task
  • Der/Die nimmt alles auf die leichte Schulter!
    Translation: This one is treating everything (too) lightly!
    Literally: This one is taking everything on the light shoulder.
  • Der/Die hört das Gras wachsen!
    Translation: This one is reading too much into things.
    Literally: This one is hearing the grass grow.
  • Der/Die ist bekannt wie ein bunter Hund!
    Translation: This one is known all over town.
    Literally: This one is known like a colorful dog.
  • Der/Die ist arm wie eine Kirchenmaus!
    Translation: This one is poor as a church mouse.