At C2 level, you are expected to understand irony, implied meaning and idiomatic German. Idioms (Redewendungen) are fixed expressions whose meaning can't be guessed word by word — die Daumen drücken (to keep your fingers crossed) has nothing to do with thumbs pressing anything. Proverbs (Sprichwörter) are complete sayings of popular wisdom. This exercise tests both.
Short answer: a Redewendung is a fixed idiom whose meaning can't be guessed from its words (die Daumen drücken = keep your fingers crossed). A Sprichwort is a complete proverb of popular wisdom (Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund = the early bird catches the worm).
Common German idioms
| Redewendung | Meaning |
|---|---|
| die Daumen drücken | to keep one's fingers crossed |
| in der Tinte sitzen | to be in a fix |
| die Katze aus dem Sack lassen | to let the cat out of the bag |
| ins Gras beißen | to bite the dust (die) |
| den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen | to hit the nail on the head |
| im Großen und Ganzen | on the whole |
Famous German proverbs
- Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund. — The early bird catches the worm.
- Wer andern eine Grube gräbt, fällt selbst hinein. — He who digs a pit for others falls into it himself.
- Übung macht den Meister. — Practice makes perfect.
- Allem Anfang wohnt ein Zauber inne. — Every beginning has its own magic. (Goethe)
- Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm. — The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.
- Ende gut, alles gut. — All's well that ends well.
Idioms and proverbs are the final polish of your C2 vocabulary — the difference between speaking German correctly and speaking it like a native.
Exercise A – Match the idiom to its meaning
Drag each German idiom into the gap next to its English meaning. Each expression is used exactly once.
to keep one's fingers crossed →
to be in a fix →
to let the cat out of the bag →
to hit the nail on the head →
on the whole →
to bite the dust →
Redewendungen:
Exercise B – Complete the proverb
Type the missing word to complete each famous German proverb.
Type the missing word to complete each proverb.
Show the full solutions
Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund.
Übung macht den Meister.
Ende gut, alles gut.
Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm.
Wer andern eine Grube gräbt, fällt selbst hinein.
Allem Anfang wohnt ein Zauber inne.
Idioms and proverbs at C2: what to focus on
- Learn idioms in full sentences: a bare idiom fades fast; a sentence like Ich drücke dir die Daumen! sticks.
- Group them by image: body parts (die Daumen drücken), animals (die Katze aus dem Sack lassen), food and household items.
- Compare with your own language: the English/Italian equivalent anchors the meaning — but remember the German wording is different.
- Mind the register: some idioms are colloquial (ins Gras beißen), others fully formal (im Großen und Ganzen). Use them in the right context.
- Recognise them when you read: news and literature are full of idioms — flag every one you meet and collect them.
Continue practising at C2 with the opposites exercise, the text comprehension exercise and the Sprechstunde exercise.
For authoritative reference, see Duden Redewendungen and DW Learn German.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a Redewendung and a Sprichwort?
A Redewendung (idiom) is a fixed expression whose meaning cannot be guessed from its words: die Daumen drücken (to keep one's fingers crossed), in der Tinte sitzen (to be in a fix). A Sprichwort (proverb) is a complete, self-contained sentence expressing general wisdom: Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund (the early bird catches the worm).
How do I learn German idioms effectively?
Group idioms by image or theme (body parts, animals, food) and always learn them in a full example sentence. Compare them with their English or Italian equivalents — differences stick in memory. Use them in your own speaking and writing immediately; active use is what truly fixes them.
Are idioms used in formal German?
Some idioms are informal, but many are fully standard and appear in news and official language: im Großen und Ganzen (on the whole), zur Sprache bringen (to raise a topic). At C2 level you need both the colloquial and the formal ones, used in the right register.
Do German proverbs have English equivalents?
Many do, though rarely word-for-word. Morgenstund hat Gold im Mund equals "the early bird catches the worm"; Wer andern eine Grube gräbt equals "who digs a pit for others falls into it himself". Learning the matching proverb in your own language makes the German one much easier to remember.
Where can I practise more C2 German?
Try the free C2 opposites exercise, the C2 text comprehension exercise and the C2 Sprechstunde exercise.
