Kohldampf schieben
To be very hungry
直訳: to push cabbage steam
Use this phrase when you are famished and hanging out with people you know well.
15秒でわかる
- A very casual way to say you are starving.
- Combines 'Kohldampf' (hunger) with 'schieben' (to push).
- Best used with friends, family, or close colleagues.
意味
This is a colorful way to say you are absolutely starving. It implies your stomach is so empty it's practically growling for a heavy meal.
主な例文
3 / 6After a long hike with friends
Ich schiebe totalen Kohldampf, lass uns endlich was essen!
I'm totally starving, let's finally eat something!
Texting a roommate about dinner
Bringst du Pizza mit? Ich schiebe ordentlich Kohldampf.
Are you bringing pizza? I'm really pushing some cabbage steam (starving).
A humorous complaint during a long movie
Wenn der Film nicht bald endet, schiebe ich hier noch Kohldampf bis zum Umfallen.
If the movie doesn't end soon, I'll be starving until I drop.
文化的背景
The expression originates from 'Rotwelsch', a sociolect of travelers and beggars used since the Middle Ages. The word 'Kohl' in this context has nothing to do with the vegetable cabbage; it's derived from the Hebrew-based 'Kores' for hunger. Today, most Germans associate it with the steam of a hot soup, making it a staple of colloquial kitchen-talk.
The 'Schieben' Secret
The verb 'schieben' (to push) makes the hunger feel like a physical burden you are carrying or pushing along. Use it to sound more like a native than just saying 'haben'.
Watch the Setting
If you say this to your German grandmother, she might take it literally and cook enough food to feed an army. Use with caution around generous hosts!
15秒でわかる
- A very casual way to say you are starving.
- Combines 'Kohldampf' (hunger) with 'schieben' (to push).
- Best used with friends, family, or close colleagues.
What It Means
Kohldampf schieben is a classic German idiom for being extremely hungry. It goes beyond a simple appetite. It suggests a deep, gnawing hunger that needs immediate attention. Think of it as the German equivalent of 'I'm famished' or 'I'm starving.'
How To Use It
You use the verb schieben (to push) just like any regular verb. It conjugates based on who is hungry. For example, ich schiebe, du schiebst, or wir schieben. The word Kohldampf stays exactly as it is. It functions as the object of your hunger. You can add echt (really) or total (totally) for extra drama. Your friends will definitely get the hint that it's time to eat.
When To Use It
Use this when you've skipped lunch and it's already 4 PM. It's perfect for casual hangouts with friends. Use it when you are hiking and finally reach the hut. It works great in text messages when deciding where to eat. It sounds very natural and 'real' to native speakers. It shows you aren't just reading from a textbook.
When NOT To Use It
Avoid this phrase in high-stakes business meetings. Don't use it at a fancy gala dinner with the CEO. It is too casual for a first date at a Michelin-star restaurant. In those cases, stick to Ich habe Hunger. Also, don't use it if you just want a small snack. This phrase is reserved for big, 'feed me now' hunger.
Cultural Background
The phrase has roots in 'Rotwelsch,' an old secret thief's language. Kohl actually comes from Kores, meaning hunger. Dampf refers to breath or steam. Over time, it morphed into the cabbage-related imagery we have today. Germans love their hearty meals, so having a specific phrase for 'starving' is essential. It reflects a culture that takes its meal times very seriously.
Common Variations
You can simply say Ich habe Kohldampf (I have cabbage steam). This is slightly shorter but means the same thing. Some people might just shout Kohldampf! when the pizza arrives. You might also hear einen Bärenhunger haben (to have a bear's hunger). However, schieben adds a certain rhythmic, cool flair to the statement.
使い方のコツ
This is a quintessential 'A2/B1' level phrase that bridges the gap between classroom German and real-life German. Use it to show you understand slang, but keep it away from your boss.
The 'Schieben' Secret
The verb 'schieben' (to push) makes the hunger feel like a physical burden you are carrying or pushing along. Use it to sound more like a native than just saying 'haben'.
Watch the Setting
If you say this to your German grandmother, she might take it literally and cook enough food to feed an army. Use with caution around generous hosts!
Not about Cabbage
Even though 'Kohl' means cabbage, don't expect a salad. This phrase is usually a plea for something heavy, like Currywurst or Schnitzel.
例文
6Ich schiebe totalen Kohldampf, lass uns endlich was essen!
I'm totally starving, let's finally eat something!
The word 'totalen' adds emphasis to the level of hunger.
Bringst du Pizza mit? Ich schiebe ordentlich Kohldampf.
Are you bringing pizza? I'm really pushing some cabbage steam (starving).
'Ordentlich' here acts as an intensifier.
Wenn der Film nicht bald endet, schiebe ich hier noch Kohldampf bis zum Umfallen.
If the movie doesn't end soon, I'll be starving until I drop.
Hyperbole is common with this idiom.
Endlich Pause! Ich schiebe schon seit zwei Stunden Kohldampf.
Finally a break! I've been starving for two hours already.
Safe for work if the environment is relaxed.
Entschuldigung, aber ich schiebe gerade echt Kohldampf, darf ich zuerst bestellen?
Sorry, but I'm really starving right now, may I order first?
Using an informal phrase while asking for a favor creates a relatable vibe.
Mama, wann gibt's Essen? Ich schiebe Kohldampf!
Mom, when is dinner? I'm starving!
Very common in family settings.
自分をテスト
Complete the sentence with the correct form of the verb.
Wir haben den ganzen Tag nichts gegessen und ___ jetzt Kohldampf.
Since the subject is 'wir' (we), the verb 'schieben' must be in its infinitive/plural form.
Which word is missing to complete the idiom?
Ich habe solchen ___, ich könnte ein ganzes Hähnchen essen!
The idiom specifically uses the compound noun 'Kohldampf' to represent extreme hunger.
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ビジュアル学習ツール
Formality Scale of Hunger
Used with strangers or superiors.
Ich habe Hunger.
Standard everyday use.
Ich bin hungrig.
The sweet spot for this phrase.
Ich schiebe Kohldampf.
Very gritty or regional.
Ich hab' Brand (usually for thirst).
Where to use Kohldampf schieben
With friends at a Döner stand
Boah, ich schieb Kohldampf!
After the gym
Nach dem Training schiebe ich immer Kohldampf.
Late night gaming session
Habt ihr auch solchen Kohldampf?
Family Sunday walk
Die Kinder schieben schon wieder Kohldampf.
よくある質問
10 問No, it's a linguistic coincidence! It comes from the old secret language 'Rotwelsch', where 'Kores' meant hunger, which sounded like 'Kohl' to German ears.
Yes, you can say Ich habe Kohldampf geschoben (I was starving). It's common when describing how hungry you were before you finally found a restaurant.
It's not rude, but it is very casual. It's like saying 'I'm starving' instead of 'I am hungry'—perfect for friends, a bit much for a job interview.
No, this is strictly for food. For extreme thirst, Germans often say Ich habe Brand (I have a fire/burn), which is also very informal.
It is understood all over Germany, though it's particularly popular in urban areas and among younger generations.
It's a strong verb: ich schiebe, du schiebst, er/sie/es schiebt. In the past, it becomes geschoben.
Yes, Ich habe Kohldampf is perfectly fine and very common. Schieben just adds a bit more idiomatic 'flavor'.
Yes, it is a compound noun and should always be capitalized and written as one word.
Bärenhunger (bear's hunger) is a bit more 'cute' or standard. Kohldampf schieben sounds a bit more street-smart or colloquial.
Absolutely. You can say Schiebt ihr auch Kohldampf? to ask your group of friends if they are as hungry as you are.
関連フレーズ
Bärenhunger haben (to have a bear's hunger)
Einen Riesenhunger haben (to have a giant hunger)
Mir hängt der Magen in den Kniekehlen (My stomach is hanging in the back of my knees)
Hunger wie ein Wolf haben (to be hungry like a wolf)
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