Signification
To be in a very bad or depressed mood.
Contexte culturel
Germans value 'Ehrlichkeit' (honesty). If someone asks how you are, it's culturally acceptable to use this phrase to show you're not having a good day. In Austria, you might also hear 'grantig sein' (to be grumpy), but 'Laune im Keller' is universally understood and used. Swiss Germans use the phrase similarly, though they might use different diminutive forms for other words in the sentence. In a professional but relaxed environment, saying 'Die Stimmung ist im Keller' can be a way to signal that a team needs a break or a change in direction.
Use with 'total'
Adding 'total' or 'richtig' makes it sound more natural: 'Meine Laune ist heute total im Keller.'
Don't use for people
Don't say 'Du bist im Keller' to mean 'You are in a bad mood.' Always use 'Deine Laune'.
Signification
To be in a very bad or depressed mood.
Use with 'total'
Adding 'total' or 'richtig' makes it sound more natural: 'Meine Laune ist heute total im Keller.'
Don't use for people
Don't say 'Du bist im Keller' to mean 'You are in a bad mood.' Always use 'Deine Laune'.
The 'Jammern' bond
Using this phrase can actually be a good way to start a conversation in Germany, as it invites others to share their complaints.
Teste-toi
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Nach dem langen Arbeitstag war meine ______ im ______.
The standard idiom is 'Laune im Keller'.
Which sentence is the most natural way to say someone is in a bad mood?
Wie sagt man auf Deutsch, dass jemand schlechte Laune hat?
The first option is the standard idiomatic expression.
Match the situation to the phrase.
Situation: Your favorite team lost 5-0.
A big loss in sports typically causes the mood to drop to the 'cellar'.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum ziehst du so ein Gesicht? B: Mein Urlaub wurde gestrichen. Meine ______ ______ ______ ______.
The context of a cancelled vacation fits perfectly with the idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesNach dem langen Arbeitstag war meine ______ im ______.
The standard idiom is 'Laune im Keller'.
Wie sagt man auf Deutsch, dass jemand schlechte Laune hat?
The first option is the standard idiomatic expression.
Situation: Your favorite team lost 5-0.
A big loss in sports typically causes the mood to drop to the 'cellar'.
A: Warum ziehst du so ein Gesicht? B: Mein Urlaub wurde gestrichen. Meine ______ ______ ______ ______.
The context of a cancelled vacation fits perfectly with the idiom.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes! 'Die Preise sind im Keller' means prices are very low.
Only if you have a very casual relationship. Otherwise, use 'Ich habe heute keine gute Laune'.
You could say 'Ich bin bester Laune' or 'Ich bin obenauf'.
'Laune' is your personal mood; 'Stimmung' is the atmosphere of a group or place.
No, it's very modern and widely used by all age groups.
No, that's not an idiom. It has to be the 'Keller'.
Yes, in informal emails, texts, or journalistic pieces about the economy.
Use 'Meine Laune sinkt in den Keller'.
No, it is used throughout Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
Yes, 'Die Stimmung im Film war im Keller' means the movie had a very depressing atmosphere.
Expressions liées
zum Lachen in den Keller gehen
similarTo have no sense of humor.
am Boden zerstört sein
builds onTo be devastated.
mies drauf sein
synonymTo be in a bad mood.
schlecht gelaunt sein
synonymTo be in a bad mood.
