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Size matters: German idioms, big and small

July 6, 2022

The German language has all sorts of creative phrases related to size. Learn some here to make a sizeable impression on your friends!

https://p.dw.com/p/47lFL
Close-up of a person holding a tape measure
Image: Soeren Stache/dpa/picture-alliance

From being "one number too big for someone" to not wanting to be a "currant crapper," the German language has all sorts of unusual expressions when it comes to sizes. Like the quirky, yet cleverly motivating: "Even small livestock produce crap." It actually means: Every little bit helps!

Click through the gallery above to view some of the German idioms involving size.

You'll find more from Meet the Germans on YouTube , Instagram and  dw.com/MeettheGermans .

DW Editor and reporter Louisa Schaefer smiling into the camera.
Louisa Schaefer Culture editor and reporter based in Cologne/Bonn, originally from the US