Significado
Lies are easily discovered and do not last long.
Contexto cultural
Honesty is a core pillar of German social etiquette. This proverb is often the first moral lesson a German child learns. Similar to Germany, the Swiss value precision and truth. The proverb is used to emphasize that 'Swiss quality' also applies to one's word. While Austrians are sometimes seen as more 'indirect' than North Germans, this proverb is still a staple of the language. In the age of the internet, this phrase is used to describe how quickly 'fake news' is debunked by fact-checkers.
Use it for emphasis
Add 'eben' or 'halt' (Lügen haben eben kurze Beine) to sound more like a native speaker.
Don't over-explain
The proverb is so famous that you don't need to explain what it means. Just saying the phrase is enough.
Significado
Lies are easily discovered and do not last long.
Use it for emphasis
Add 'eben' or 'halt' (Lügen haben eben kurze Beine) to sound more like a native speaker.
Don't over-explain
The proverb is so famous that you don't need to explain what it means. Just saying the phrase is enough.
Teste-se
Fill in the missing words to complete the proverb.
Lügen haben ______ ______.
The standard form is 'kurze Beine' (short legs).
Which situation best fits the proverb 'Lügen haben kurze Beine'?
Situation: Thomas tells his boss he is working from home, but the boss sees him at the beach.
The proverb is used when a lie is discovered.
Complete the dialogue.
A: 'Ich habe das Geld nicht genommen!' B: 'Aber es ist in deiner Tasche! ______.'
This is the most natural response to a caught lie.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Recursos visuais
Banco de exercicios
3 exerciciosLügen haben ______ ______.
The standard form is 'kurze Beine' (short legs).
Situation: Thomas tells his boss he is working from home, but the boss sees him at the beach.
The proverb is used when a lie is discovered.
A: 'Ich habe das Geld nicht genommen!' B: 'Aber es ist in deiner Tasche! ______.'
This is the most natural response to a caught lie.
🎉 Pontuação: /3
Perguntas frequentes
2 perguntasIt's not rude, but it is direct. It's a moral statement, so use it when you want to make a point about honesty.
Yes, but be careful. It implies the other person is a liar, which can be very confrontational.
Frases relacionadas
Ehrlich währt am längsten
similarHonesty is the best policy / lasts longest.
Wer einmal lügt, dem glaubt man nicht
builds onOnce a liar, always a liar.
An {die|f} Oberfläche kommen
similarTo come to the surface.
