Signification
To annoy or irritate someone persistently.
Contexte culturel
Germans value their 'Ruhe' (quiet). This idiom is often used to complain about noise pollution, which is taken very seriously in German law (e.g., no vacuuming on Sundays). In Austria, you might also hear 'jemandem am Arsch gehen', which is much more vulgar. 'Auf den Keks gehen' is the safer, more 'German-German' version that is still understood. Swiss German has its own variations, but 'auf den Keks gehen' is widely understood due to the influence of High German media. Among younger Germans, 'Keks' is sometimes replaced by 'Sack' or 'Eier' (eggs/testicles) to increase the intensity, though this is not appropriate for learners in most settings.
Use 'echt' or 'total'
To sound more native, add 'echt' (really) or 'total' (totally) before 'auf den Keks'.
Watch the Dative
Always remember it's 'MIR' or 'DIR'. Using 'MICH' is the most common learner mistake.
Signification
To annoy or irritate someone persistently.
Use 'echt' or 'total'
To sound more native, add 'echt' (really) or 'total' (totally) before 'auf den Keks'.
Watch the Dative
Always remember it's 'MIR' or 'DIR'. Using 'MICH' is the most common learner mistake.
The 'Sack' Trap
Be careful not to accidentally say 'auf den Sack gehen' in polite company; it's much more offensive than you might think!
Teste-toi
Fill in the correct Dative pronoun.
Mein kleiner Bruder geht ___ (me) total auf den Keks.
The idiom requires the Dative case for the person being annoyed.
Which sentence is correct?
Choose the grammatically correct idiom usage:
'Auf' takes the Accusative 'den Keks' in this fixed expression.
Complete the dialogue with the appropriate phrase.
A: Warum bist du so schlecht gelaunt? B: Die Baustelle vor meinem Fenster ______.
The phrase describes a persistent annoyance like construction noise.
Match the situation to the best expression.
Your computer has crashed for the third time today.
'Das ist mir Wurst' means 'I don't care', which doesn't fit here.
🎉 Score : /4
Aides visuelles
Banque d exercices
4 exercicesMein kleiner Bruder geht ___ (me) total auf den Keks.
The idiom requires the Dative case for the person being annoyed.
Choose the grammatically correct idiom usage:
'Auf' takes the Accusative 'den Keks' in this fixed expression.
A: Warum bist du so schlecht gelaunt? B: Die Baustelle vor meinem Fenster ______.
The phrase describes a persistent annoyance like construction noise.
Your computer has crashed for the third time today.
'Das ist mir Wurst' means 'I don't care', which doesn't fit here.
🎉 Score : /4
Questions fréquentes
10 questionsYes, it's quite direct. If a stranger is annoying you, it's better to say 'Entschuldigung, könnten Sie bitte...?'
Absolutely! 'Der Regen geht mir auf den Keks' is a very common sentence.
Die Kekse. But in this idiom, we always use the singular 'den Keks'.
The most neutral/formal equivalent is 'jemandem auf die Nerven gehen'.
Idioms are fixed. 'Kuchen' (cake) wouldn't be understood in this context.
No, that sounds like you are literally talking about a cookie you own. Stick to 'den Keks'.
Yes, it is universally understood from Hamburg to Munich.
Er geht mir auf den Keks.
Yes: 'Er ist mir gestern total auf den Keks gegangen.'
It is masculine: {der|m} Keks.
Expressions liées
jemandem auf die Nerven gehen
synonymTo get on someone's nerves
jemandem auf den Zeiger gehen
similarTo get on someone's nerves
jemandem auf den Sack gehen
synonymTo annoy the hell out of someone
jemanden nerven
similarTo annoy someone
jemandem den letzten Nerv rauben
builds onTo rob someone of their last nerve
