jemandem einen Bären aufbinden
To tell a tall tale
حرفيًا: To tie a bear onto someone
Use this phrase to playfully call out a friend's tall tale or an obvious prank.
في 15 ثانية
- Used when someone is telling a playful lie or prank.
- Literally means tying a bear onto someone's back.
- Best for friends, family, and casual social interactions.
المعنى
This phrase is used when someone is telling you a story that is clearly a lie or a prank. It is like saying they are 'pulling your leg' or trying to trick you into believing something ridiculous.
أمثلة رئيسية
3 من 6A friend claims they won the lottery
Ach komm, du willst mir doch einen Bären aufbinden!
Oh come on, you're pulling my leg!
A grandfather telling a wild story to his grandkids
Opa, bindest du uns wieder einen Bären auf?
Grandpa, are you telling us tall tales again?
A colleague makes an absurd excuse for being late
Glaubst du wirklich, du kannst dem Chef so einen Bären aufbinden?
Do you really think you can tell the boss such a tall tale?
خلفية ثقافية
The idiom dates back to the late Middle Ages and originally referred to the practice of 'binding' or 'tagging' someone with a debt they couldn't pay. Over centuries, the 'bear' became a symbol of a heavy, obvious lie that only a fool would carry around without noticing.
The Dative Rule
Always remember that the person being tricked is in the dative case (`mir`, `dir`, `ihm`, etc.). If you use accusative, it sounds like you are physically tying a bear to a person!
Not for Serious Lies
Don't use this if someone is genuinely defrauding you or being malicious. It's a lighthearted phrase. Using it for a serious crime would sound weirdly casual.
في 15 ثانية
- Used when someone is telling a playful lie or prank.
- Literally means tying a bear onto someone's back.
- Best for friends, family, and casual social interactions.
What It Means
Imagine someone trying to sneakily tie a massive, heavy bear onto your back without you noticing. It sounds impossible and absurd, right? That is exactly what this phrase captures. When you use jemandem einen Bären aufbinden, you are accusing them of telling a tall tale. You are saying their story is a complete fabrication. It is used for harmless pranks or cheeky lies. It is not for serious fraud or malicious deception. It is about the art of the 'bullshitter' or the prankster.
How To Use It
The grammar is quite simple but needs attention. You use the dative case for the person being tricked. For example: Du willst MIR einen Bären aufbinden. The verb aufbinden means to tie or fasten onto something. You can use it when you realize a friend is joking. Or you can use it to describe a legendary prankster you know. It is a very active, visual way to call out a lie. Just remember the 'bear' stays in the singular usually.
When To Use It
Use this during casual conversations with friends or family. It is perfect for when a colleague tells a wild story at lunch. If your grandpa claims he once wrestled a shark, this is your line. It fits perfectly in relaxed social settings. You can also use it when texting. It adds a bit of flavor to your skepticism. It shows you are savvy and not easily fooled. Use it to keep the mood light and playful.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this in very serious or legal situations. If a police officer is questioning you, do not use it. It is too informal for a high-stakes business negotiation. Do not use it if someone is telling a tragic or sensitive truth. That would be quite rude and dismissive. It is a 'fun' idiom, so keep it in 'fun' contexts. If the lie is hurtful, use a stronger word like belügen instead.
Cultural Background
This phrase has been around since the 16th century. Back then, 'binding a bear' was a slang term for leaving a debt unpaid. Over time, the meaning shifted toward deception in general. Some say it relates to old hunting stories where hunters exaggerated their catches. Germans love a good, dry sense of humor. Calling out a 'bear' is a classic part of German social banter. It reflects a culture that values honesty but enjoys a clever joke.
Common Variations
You might hear Soll ich dir etwa einen Bären aufbinden? as a rhetorical question. This means 'Do you really think I'm lying?'. Another version is sich keinen Bären aufbinden lassen. This means you are too smart to be tricked. You are basically saying, 'You can't fool me!'. It is a great way to show confidence in your own intuition. Sometimes people just say Bären aufbinden as a shorthand in conversation.
ملاحظات الاستخدام
The phrase is firmly in the informal category. It requires the dative case for the indirect object (the person being lied to). It's most effective when delivered with a smirk or a tone of disbelief.
The Dative Rule
Always remember that the person being tricked is in the dative case (`mir`, `dir`, `ihm`, etc.). If you use accusative, it sounds like you are physically tying a bear to a person!
Not for Serious Lies
Don't use this if someone is genuinely defrauding you or being malicious. It's a lighthearted phrase. Using it for a serious crime would sound weirdly casual.
The 'Münchhausen' Connection
Germans often associate this phrase with 'Baron Münchhausen', a fictional nobleman famous for telling impossible stories. Mentioning him and the 'bear' in the same breath makes you sound very cultured.
أمثلة
6Ach komm, du willst mir doch einen Bären aufbinden!
Oh come on, you're pulling my leg!
A classic reaction to an unbelievable claim.
Opa, bindest du uns wieder einen Bären auf?
Grandpa, are you telling us tall tales again?
Shows a playful, affectionate skepticism.
Glaubst du wirklich, du kannst dem Chef so einen Bären aufbinden?
Do you really think you can tell the boss such a tall tale?
Questioning the feasibility of a lie in a professional-adjacent setting.
Hör auf, mir einen Bären aufzubinden! Zeig mir ein Foto.
Stop pulling my leg! Show me a photo.
Common way to use the phrase in digital messaging.
Da hat mir das Internet wohl einen Bären aufgebunden.
I guess the internet told me a tall tale.
Using the phrase to admit you were fooled.
Ich würde dir niemals einen Bären aufbinden.
I would never pull your leg.
Expressing sincerity using the idiom's negative.
اختبر نفسك
Fill in the correct dative pronoun to complete the phrase.
Willst du ___ (me) etwa einen Bären aufbinden?
The phrase uses the dative case for the person being tricked. 'Mir' is the dative form of 'ich'.
Choose the correct verb to complete the idiom.
Er hat versucht, seinem Bruder einen Bären ___.
The correct verb is 'aufbinden', which means to tie or fasten onto something.
🎉 النتيجة: /2
وسائل تعلم بصرية
Formality of 'einen Bären aufbinden'
Slang with close friends
Verarsche mich nicht!
The sweet spot for this phrase
Du bindest mir einen Bären auf!
Standard conversation
Das ist eine Lüge.
Too casual for this setting
Ihre Aussage entspricht nicht der Wahrheit.
Where to use 'Einen Bären aufbinden'
Family Dinner
Uncle tells a fish story
Pub/Bar
Friend claims they can drink 10 beers
Office Breakroom
Colleague says they won the lottery
Texting
Reacting to a 'too good to be true' text
الأسئلة الشائعة
11 أسئلةIt means to tell someone a lie or a tall tale, usually in a playful or joking way. It's the German equivalent of 'pulling someone's leg'.
Not usually! It's mostly used among friends and family. However, don't use it with your boss unless you have a very close, joking relationship.
Only in casual moments, like a coffee break. In a formal meeting, it's better to say Das entspricht nicht ganz der Wahrheit if you need to be polite.
It literally means 'to tie a bear onto someone'. Imagine trying to fasten a heavy bear to someone's back without them noticing!
No, even if someone tells many lies, you still say einen Bären (one bear). Tying multiple bears would just be too much work!
You say: Du bindest mir einen Bären auf!
Yes, it is a standard idiom understood everywhere from Berlin to Munich.
Lügen is a neutral verb for lying. Einen Bären aufbinden is more colorful and implies a specific kind of 'tall tale' or prank.
Yes, it's perfect for white lies or jokes. For example: Willst du mir einen Bären aufbinden? when someone says they finished all the cookies.
It likely comes from old hunting stories or 16th-century slang for debts. The 'bear' represents a heavy burden of untruth.
Yes, but it's more common for the *listener* to say it when they catch you in the lie.
عبارات ذات صلة
jemanden auf den Arm nehmen
To pull someone's leg (literally: to take someone on the arm)
Seemannsgarn spinnen
To tell tall tales (literally: to spin sailor's yarn)
Flunkern
To fib or tell a small, harmless lie
jemandem etwas vormachen
To fool or deceive someone
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