Redewendung

idiom

noun RE-de-ven-dung Less Common

Also means

set phrase

Usage Note

Redewendung names an idiomatic expression whose meaning is not literal, e.g. jemandem die Daumen drücken. Plural Redewendungen. A compound of Rede (speech) and Wendung (turn). Essential vocabulary for learners decoding figurative German.

Examples

"Diese Redewendung kann man nicht wörtlich übersetzen."

Natural Translation

This idiom cannot be translated literally.

Literal Translation

This idiom can one not literally translate.

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