A2Daily

Nur Bahnhof verstehen

To understand nothing at all, to be completely confused

In German

Nur Bahnhof verstehen

noor BAHN-hohf fer-SHTEY-en

Literal Translation

To only understand train station

Meaning

To understand nothing at all, to be completely confused.

Equivalent:"It's all Greek to me"

Origin:Popularized after WWI, when exhausted soldiers returning from the front only wanted to hear about 'Bahnhof' (train station) as it meant going home, ignoring everything else.

Example Sentences

1
Der Professor sprach so schnell, ich habe nur Bahnhof verstanden.
The professor spoke so fast, I understood nothing at all.
2
Wenn es um Technik geht, verstehe ich nur Bahnhof.
When it comes to technology, I understand nothing at all.

FAQ

How do you say "To understand nothing at all, to be completely confused" in German?

"To understand nothing at all, to be completely confused" in German is "Nur Bahnhof verstehen" (noor BAHN-hohf fer-SHTEY-en). Example: Der Professor sprach so schnell, ich habe nur Bahnhof verstanden..

To put one's foot in one's mouth, to make a blunder or faux pas

Ins Fettnäpfchen treten

ins FETT-nepf-chen TRAY-ten

To keep one's fingers crossed for someone, to wish someone good luck

Die Daumen drücken

dee DOW-men DRYCK-en

To give someone the cold shoulder, to ignore or treat someone coldly

Jemandem die kalte Schulter zeigen

YE-man-dem dee KAHL-te SHOOL-ter TSY-gen

To lead someone astray, to trick or deceive someone, to put someone in a difficult situation

Jemanden aufs Glatteis führen

YE-man-dem owfs GLAHT-tys FY-ren