Meaning
To intentionally ignore or be unfriendly towards someone.
Cultural Background
In Germany, showing the cold shoulder is often seen as a way to avoid 'unnötiges Drama' (unnecessary drama) while still making a point. Austrians might use the term 'jemanden ignorieren' more often in formal settings, but 'kalte Schulter' is well-understood and used in literature. In Switzerland, where politeness and neutrality are key, showing the cold shoulder is a very common way to express disapproval without being confrontational. The modern equivalent of this idiom in German internet culture is 'Ghosting'.
Dative Case
Always remember the person is Dative. If you're ignoring a girl, it's 'ihr', not 'sie'.
Don't over-use
It's a strong idiom. Using it for small things might make you sound overly dramatic.
Meaning
To intentionally ignore or be unfriendly towards someone.
Dative Case
Always remember the person is Dative. If you're ignoring a girl, it's 'ihr', not 'sie'.
Don't over-use
It's a strong idiom. Using it for small things might make you sound overly dramatic.
Passive Voice
Use 'die kalte Schulter bekommen' if you are the victim. It sounds very natural.
Test Yourself
Fill in the correct Dative pronoun.
Ich bin sauer auf Thomas. Ich zeige ____ {die|f} kalte Schulter.
The person being ignored must be in the Dative case. 'Ihm' is the Dative of 'er'.
What does this phrase mean?
Was bedeutet 'jemandem {die|f} kalte Schulter zeigen'?
The idiom means to intentionally ignore or be unfriendly.
Complete the dialogue.
A: Warum redet Maria nicht mit dir? B: Ich weiß nicht. Sie ______ mir {die|f} kalte Schulter.
The verb used in this German idiom is always 'zeigen'.
Match the situation to the idiom usage.
In welcher Situation zeigt man {die|f} kalte Schulter?
Ignoring messages is a classic modern way to show the cold shoulder.
🎉 Score: /4
Visual Learning Aids
Practice Bank
4 exercisesIch bin sauer auf Thomas. Ich zeige ____ {die|f} kalte Schulter.
The person being ignored must be in the Dative case. 'Ihm' is the Dative of 'er'.
Was bedeutet 'jemandem {die|f} kalte Schulter zeigen'?
The idiom means to intentionally ignore or be unfriendly.
A: Warum redet Maria nicht mit dir? B: Ich weiß nicht. Sie ______ mir {die|f} kalte Schulter.
The verb used in this German idiom is always 'zeigen'.
In welcher Situation zeigt man {die|f} kalte Schulter?
Ignoring messages is a classic modern way to show the cold shoulder.
🎉 Score: /4
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsThe phrase itself isn't rude, but the action it describes is. You can use it to complain about someone else's behavior.
Only if you are describing a past conflict or a market trend. Don't use it to describe your current mood!
There isn't a direct 'warm shoulder' idiom, but you could say 'jemanden mit offenen Armen empfangen' (to receive someone with open arms).
Always 'die'. It's a fixed expression.
Yes, metaphorically. 'Der {der|m} Markt zeigt dem {das|n} Produkt {die|f} kalte Schulter.'
Yes, it is the closest traditional idiom to the modern concept of ghosting.
It's a regular verb: zeige, zeigst, zeigt, zeigen, zeigt, zeigen.
Yes, it is standard German and used in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
No, the idiom is always singular.
Then you don't use this idiom. Use 'übersehen' (to overlook).
Related Phrases
jemanden links liegen lassen
synonymTo ignore someone completely.
jemandem den Rücken kehren
similarTo turn one's back on someone.
jemanden abblitzen lassen
similarTo reject someone's advances.
Funkstille
builds onRadio silence.
jemanden schneiden
synonymTo snub someone.
