Posted on by Ulrike Rettig

Cool German Idioms 3 - das Dach

roof 

das Dach - the roof

mit offenem Dach fahren

to drive with the top down
Literal: to drive with an open roof

jemandem eins aufs Dach geben

to show someone what's what
Literal: to give someone a smack on the roof

etwas unter Dach und Fach bringen

to complete something, settle it
More literal: to bring something into safety

Die Spatzen pfeifen es von den Dächern.

That's common knowledge.
Literal: Sparrows whistle it from the roofs.

Da ist bei ihm gleich Feuer im Dache.

He flies into a passion.
Literal: He right away has fire in his roof.

Du hast nicht alles unterm Dach.

You are crazy.
Literal: You don't have everything under the roof.

I always wondered whether other cultures and languages have as many idioms using the "roof" as German.
We'd be interested in any feedback and would welcome comments to info@gamesforlanguage.com or via our contact page.

A little Grammar:

• Mit offenem Dach fahren: the preposition "mit" always takes the dative case. So "das offene Dach" (the open roof) becomes "mit offenem Dach"

• Jemandem eins aufs Dach geben: the dual preposition "auf" takes the dative here. Note: "aufs Dach" is a contraction of "auf das Dach" (dual preposition "auf" + accusative of neuter noun).

• Etwas unter Dach und Fach bringen: "unter Dach und Fach" is set expression for something that's settled, where "Fach" literally means "a compartment or shelf".

• Die Spatzen pfeifen es von den Dächern: the preposition "von" always takes the dative case. Note: das Dach (singular) - die Dächer (plural), which becomes "von den Dächern" ("von" + dative plural of neuter noun).

• Da ist bei ihm gleich Feuer im Dache: the dual preposition "in" takes the dative here; "in dem" contracts to "im".

• Du hast nicht alles unterm Dach: the dual preposition "unter" takes the dative here; "unter dem" contracts to "unterm".

What are German Dual Prepositions?

German has 9 "dual prepositions": an (on, at); auf (on), hinter behind); neben (beside, next to); in (in, at, to); über (over, above, across, about); unter (below, under, among); vor (in front, before, prior to); zwischen (between, among).

Dual Preposition + Accusative case:

When the preposition answers the question "Wohin?/Wo ... hin?" (Where?/Where to?), i.e. motion/a change of location, you use the "accusative case".

• An den Strand. (I'm going) to the beach
• Auf den Tisch. (I put the book) on the table.
• Hinters Haus. (He's going to look) behind the house.
• Neben den Lastwagen. (I put my car, over there) beside the truck.
• Ins Haus. (She's walking) into the house.
• Über die Brücke.  (He's driving) across the bridge.
• Unters Kissen. (I put my book) under the pillow.
• Vors Fenster. (Please move my bed) in front of the window.

Dual Prepositions + Dative case:

When the preposition answers the question of location/where something is: "Wo?" (Were?), you use the "dative case".

• Am Strand. (I am) at the beach
• Am Tisch. (My book is) on the table.
• Hinterm Haus. (Our shed is) behind the house.
• Neben dem Lastwagen. (That's my car over there) beside the truck.
• Im Haus. (She's) in the house.
• Über der Tür.  (The picture hangs) above the door.
• Unterm Kissen. (My book is) under the pillow.
• Vorm Fenster. (My bed is) in front of the window.