A1 Idiom Neutral

den Nerv treffen

hit a nerve

Significado

To touch upon a sensitive topic or issue.

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Contexto cultural

In German offices, 'den Nerv treffen' is often used in a positive sense during brainstorming to identify a solution that solves a core problem. Journalists frequently use 'den Nerv der Zeit' to describe viral phenomena, from TikTok trends to political movements. Germans may use this phrase to apologize for being too direct, acknowledging they touched a sensitive topic.

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Use 'genau'

Adding 'genau' (exactly) before 'den Nerv' makes you sound much more native.

⚠️

Watch the Case

Always use 'den' (accusative) because you are hitting the object.

Significado

To touch upon a sensitive topic or issue.

🎯

Use 'genau'

Adding 'genau' (exactly) before 'den Nerv' makes you sound much more native.

⚠️

Watch the Case

Always use 'den' (accusative) because you are hitting the object.

💬

Positive vs Negative

Remember that 'den Nerv der Zeit' is almost always a compliment for a creator.

Ponte a prueba

Fill in the missing word in the correct case.

Mit deiner Kritik hast du genau den ____ getroffen.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Nerv

'Nerv' is masculine and in the accusative singular here.

Which sentence means 'The song is very popular right now'?

Welcher Satz passt?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Das Lied trifft den Nerv der Zeit.

This variation specifically refers to being relevant to the current era.

Match the reaction to the phrase.

Someone gets very angry when you mention their ex-partner.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Du hast einen Nerv getroffen.

Strong emotional reactions to specific topics indicate hitting a nerve.

Complete the dialogue.

A: Warum weint sie? B: Ich habe über ihren alten Hund gesprochen. Ich habe wohl ____.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: einen Nerv getroffen

The context of crying after a specific topic fits 'hitting a nerve'.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Ayudas visuales

Banco de ejercicios

4 ejercicios
Fill in the missing word in the correct case. Fill Blank A1

Mit deiner Kritik hast du genau den ____ getroffen.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Nerv

'Nerv' is masculine and in the accusative singular here.

Which sentence means 'The song is very popular right now'? Choose A2

Welcher Satz passt?

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Das Lied trifft den Nerv der Zeit.

This variation specifically refers to being relevant to the current era.

Match the reaction to the phrase. situation_matching A1

Someone gets very angry when you mention their ex-partner.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: Du hast einen Nerv getroffen.

Strong emotional reactions to specific topics indicate hitting a nerve.

Complete the dialogue. dialogue_completion B1

A: Warum weint sie? B: Ich habe über ihren alten Hund gesprochen. Ich habe wohl ____.

✓ ¡Correcto! ✗ No del todo. Respuesta correcta: einen Nerv getroffen

The context of crying after a specific topic fits 'hitting a nerve'.

🎉 Puntuación: /4

Preguntas frecuentes

4 preguntas

Not necessarily. While it often means you touched a sore spot, 'den Nerv der Zeit treffen' is a very positive way to say something is relevant and popular.

Usually, it is singular ('den Nerv'). Using plural ('die Nerven treffen') is rare and usually refers to multiple specific issues.

Yes, it is perfectly acceptable in a professional setting to describe market trends or core problems.

'Auf die Nerven gehen' means to annoy someone. 'Den Nerv treffen' means to hit a specific sensitive point.

Frases relacionadas

🔄

einen wunden Punkt treffen

synonym

To hit a sore spot.

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ins Schwarze treffen

similar

To hit the bullseye.

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jemandem auf die Nerven gehen

related

To get on someone's nerves.

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