Meaning
To feel extremely happy and joyful.
Cultural Background
The number seven is generally considered a lucky or 'holy' number in German folklore, appearing in many fairy tales (e.g., The Seven Dwarfs, The Seven Little Goats). The phrase is frequently used in 'Schlager' music (German pop/folk) to describe romantic longing and fulfillment. While the phrase is secular today, its roots in the 'seven heavens' of Abrahamic religions are still recognized by older generations.
Use it for Love
If you want to sound like a romantic lead in a German movie, this is your go-to phrase.
Preposition Alert
Never say 'auf dem Himmel'. It marks you as a beginner immediately. Always 'im'.
Meaning
To feel extremely happy and joyful.
Use it for Love
If you want to sound like a romantic lead in a German movie, this is your go-to phrase.
Preposition Alert
Never say 'auf dem Himmel'. It marks you as a beginner immediately. Always 'im'.
Combine with 'schweben'
Using 'schweben' (to float) instead of 'sein' makes you sound much more fluent and poetic.
Test Yourself
Fill in the missing preposition and article contraction.
Ich habe im Lotto gewonnen! Ich bin ___ siebten Himmel.
'Im' is the contraction of 'in dem' (dative), which is required for this idiom.
Which sentence is correct?
How do you say 'They are on cloud nine' in German?
This is the standard idiomatic form in German.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Maria hat ein Baby bekommen! B: Oh, dann ist sie jetzt sicher ___.
The idiom fits the context of extreme joy after a birth.
Match the German phrase to its English equivalent.
Match the following:
These are the closest idiomatic equivalents.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Heaven vs. Cloud
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch habe im Lotto gewonnen! Ich bin ___ siebten Himmel.
'Im' is the contraction of 'in dem' (dative), which is required for this idiom.
How do you say 'They are on cloud nine' in German?
This is the standard idiomatic form in German.
A: Maria hat ein Baby bekommen! B: Oh, dann ist sie jetzt sicher ___.
The idiom fits the context of extreme joy after a birth.
Match each item on the left with its pair on the right:
These are the closest idiomatic equivalents.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
6 questionsIt is always 'im siebten Himmel'. 'Im' is the contraction of 'in dem', which provides the necessary dative case.
Technically yes, but it sounds very dramatic or sarcastic. It's better for big life events.
There is no difference in meaning. 'Wolke sieben' is slightly more modern and common in pop songs.
It is neutral. You can use it with friends, but also in a newspaper article or a speech.
It comes from ancient astronomy where the 7th sphere of the sky was the highest and closest to God.
Yes, 'Himmel' is a noun, and all nouns are capitalized in German.
Related Phrases
auf Wolke sieben schweben
synonymTo float on cloud seven.
vor Glück platzen
similarTo burst with happiness.
zu Tode betrübt sein
contrastTo be saddened to death.
