Back in the ‘90s, when I was just a wee language learner, there was a fab series of books: the “101 … Idioms” books for French and Spanish (sadly no German).
They took the form of jolly, paperback handbooks, which presented colourful but frequent everyday phrases. Not just the text – most also featured a quirky, literal illustration. Sayings like raconter des salades (to tell tall tales – literally, to tell salads) became instantly memorable through the slightly mad pictures.
Sadly, those books are no longer in print – a shame, as the best idioms never really go out of fashion – although they are still available if you’re a second-hand fan (I just found the French and Spanish versions on eBay, and they’re well worth a couple of quid).
Fast forward a few decades, and I’m in a Paris fnac. Always after a new language tome, I spot 200 expressions allemandes on the German shelf, pick it up for a leaf through, and realise that it’s pretty much the francophone incarnation of 101 Idioms. Easy choice – it was straight to the counter with that one and it’s now in my (not-so-)little language library.
200 expressions allemandes – German idioms via French
That’s not to say the UK market was entirely done with quirky idioms books. Collins have kept that tradition going with their fun Easy Learning… Idioms range. The language provision (and lack) match, too, as they’re available in French and Spanish, with a cheeky English guide as an consolation for the lack of German. While they’re not quite as chock-full of amusing images as their spiritual ancestors, they’re still great alternatives (and still in print!).
If you’re still hankering after German and have some French, then 200 expressions allemandes is well worth a punt.
Note that the product links in this article are associated with Polyglossic’s affiliate account, so purchases generate a small amount to help keep the site running. Thanks! (That said, 200 expressions allemandes was about 25% cheaper direct from fnac than Amazon UK – much better if you happen to be in France!)