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 test something thoroughly, to examine something in detail

Etwas auf Herz und Nieren prüfen

ET-vas owf HERT oont NEE-ren PRY-fen

To be fed up with something, to have had enough

Die Nase voll haben

dee NAH-ze foll HAH-ben

To understand nothing at all, to be completely confused

Nur Bahnhof verstehen

noor BAHN-hohf fer-SHTEY-en

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