A2Colors

Grün hinter den Ohren sein

To be inexperienced, naive, or very young

In German

Grün hinter den Ohren sein

gryun hin-ter den o-ren zain

Literal Translation

To be green behind the ears

Meaning

To be inexperienced, naive, or very young.

Equivalent:"To be wet behind the ears"

Origin:Likely refers to newborn animals whose fur might still be wet or have a greenish tint behind the ears, indicating recent birth and thus lack of experience.

Example Sentences

1
Er ist noch grün hinter den Ohren und muss viel lernen.
He's still wet behind the ears (green behind the ears) and has a lot to learn.
2
Auch wenn sie jung ist, ist sie nicht grün hinter den Ohren.
Even though she's young, she's not naive (green behind the ears).

FAQ

How do you say "To be inexperienced, naive, or very young" in German?

"To be inexperienced, naive, or very young" in German is "Grün hinter den Ohren sein" (gryun hin-ter den o-ren zain). Example: Er ist noch grün hinter den Ohren und muss viel lernen..

In writing, in black and white; official proof or documentation

Schwarz auf Weiß

shvarts auf vais

To be absolutely furious about something; to be livid

Sich grün und blau ärgern

Zikh gryn unt blou AIR-gern

To dislike someone and be unfriendly towards them

Jemandem nicht grün sein

ye-man-dem nikht gryun zain

To be the outcast, the odd one out, or the problematic member of a group or family

Das schwarze Schaf sein

das shvarts-e shaf zain