Ever tried doing something with the “wrong” hand?
Chopping vegetables. Writing your name. Untangling Christmas lights.
The result? Not exactly graceful.
That’s the idea behind one of German’s most charming little insults:
Zwei linke Hände haben
(Literally: Two left hands have)
Imagine you are preparing a salad (einen Salat).
You cut some tomatoes, some onions (einige Zwiebeln), …
But all of this, just with your left hand (or in case you’re left-handed, with your right hand (mit deiner rechten Hand)).
What would that salad look like (aussehen)?
Yes, most likely, a total mess :-)
So, when we say in German to someone
- Du hast zwei linke Hände (You have two left hands)
we mean:
- Your fingers are all thumbs
- You’re all thumbs
Got it?!
So here’s your action step:
Imagine your German-speaking colleague Karl-Winfried is decorating the Christmas tree in your office (in eurem Büro).
But, what is he doing with the Christmas tree lights (mit der Weihnachtsbaumbeleuchtung)?!
Look at him and tell him:
- Du hast echt zwei linke Hände! (Really, your fingers are all thumbs!)
And this is what it sounds like:
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