Meaning
To feel very tired and worn out after an activity or event.
Cultural Background
The concept of 'Feierabend' is sacred. Admitting you are 'fix und fertig' at the end of the day is a socially acceptable way to transition into private life. In Austria, you might also hear 'fertig wie eine {die|f} Schachtel' (finished like a box), but 'fix und fertig' remains the standard. Swiss Germans use the phrase similarly, though they might use the Swiss diminutive 'fertigeli' in very casual, playful contexts. In German startups, 'fix und fertig' is often used to describe the state after a 'Sprint' or a product launch.
Use it for sympathy
If you want to get out of a chore, saying 'Ich bin fix und fertig' is very effective in German households.
Don't use with 'haben'
Always use 'sein'. 'Ich habe fix und fertig' is a major giveaway that you are a beginner.
Meaning
To feel very tired and worn out after an activity or event.
Use it for sympathy
If you want to get out of a chore, saying 'Ich bin fix und fertig' is very effective in German households.
Don't use with 'haben'
Always use 'sein'. 'Ich habe fix und fertig' is a major giveaway that you are a beginner.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing words to complete the idiom.
Nach dem langen Tag im Büro bin ich ___ und ___.
The standard idiom is 'fix und fertig'.
Which situation is most appropriate for 'fix und fertig'?
Wann sagst du 'Ich bin fix und fertig'?
You use it when you are extremely tired.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Kommst du mit ins {das|n} Kino? B: Nein, die {die|f} Arbeit heute war schrecklich. Sie hat mich ___.
'Etwas macht jemanden fix und fertig' means something wore someone out.
Match the phrase to the feeling.
Match 'Fix und fertig' with its synonym.
Both mean completely exhausted.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
When to use 'Fix und fertig'
Physical
- • Sport
- • Umzug
- • Wandern
Mental
- • Prüfung
- • Arbeit
- • Lernen
Practice Bank
4 exercisesNach dem langen Tag im Büro bin ich ___ und ___.
The standard idiom is 'fix und fertig'.
Wann sagst du 'Ich bin fix und fertig'?
You use it when you are extremely tired.
A: Kommst du mit ins {das|n} Kino? B: Nein, die {die|f} Arbeit heute war schrecklich. Sie hat mich ___.
'Etwas macht jemanden fix und fertig' means something wore someone out.
Match 'Fix und fertig' with its synonym.
Both mean completely exhausted.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
3 questionsNo, it's not rude, but it is informal. It's perfectly fine for friends and family.
Usually no. For a project, just say 'Das {das|n} Projekt ist fertig.'
'Müde' is just tired. 'Fix und fertig' is EXTREMELY tired.
Related Phrases
Hundemüde
synonymDog-tired.
Erschöpft
synonymExhausted.
K.o. sein
similarTo be knocked out.
Fertig mit der {die|f} Welt sein
builds onTo be done with the world.
