German for Superstitions: Expressing Beliefs Like 'Eating Noodles on New Year Brings Luck'
Learn to talk about superstitions in German using expressions like 'Glück bringen' and 'Aberglaube', with examples and a dialogue.
By MarcusFood & cafés · Yapr Learn
In this lesson, you'll learn how to discuss superstitions in German—beliefs that certain actions or objects bring good or bad luck. Unlike customs, which are shared practices, superstitions are often personal or cultural beliefs about luck. We'll focus on key phrases such as 'Glück bringen' (to bring luck) and 'Aberglaube' (superstition), and how to use them in conversation. You'll practice talking about common German superstitions and compare them with those from your own culture.
By the end, you can…
- talk about superstitions and lucky charms in German.
- use the verb 'bringen' to say that something brings luck or misfortune.
- ask and answer questions about superstitious beliefs.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
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Glück bringen
to bring luck
GLÜK BRING-en
Used with a subject that brings luck, e.g., 'Schornsteinfeger bringen Glück.'
Aberglaube
superstition
AH-ber-glow-buh
Literally 'after-belief'; refers to superstitious beliefs. The adjective is 'abergläubisch'.
Pech haben
to have bad luck
PESH HAH-ben
'Pech' means bad luck or misfortune. Opposite: 'Glück haben' (to be lucky).
auf Holz klopfen
to knock on wood
owf HOLTS KLOP-fen
Said to avoid bad luck after mentioning good fortune. The full expression is often 'auf Holz klopfen' or 'dreimal auf Holz klopfen' (knock three times on wood).
Ich bin nicht abergläubisch, aber...
I'm not superstitious, but...
ikh bin nikht AH-ber-glow-bish, AH-ber
A common way to introduce a superstition you half-believe.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
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Useful pattern
To say that something brings luck or bad luck, use the verb 'bringen' (to bring) with the noun 'Glück' (luck) or 'Pech' (bad luck). The structure is: [Subject] bringt [dative object] Glück/Pech. For example: 'Ein Hufeisen bringt Glück.' (A horseshoe brings luck.) 'Eine schwarze Katze bringt Pech.' (A black cat brings bad luck.) Note that 'Glück' and 'Pech' are uncountable here, so no article is used. You can also say 'Glück haben' (to be lucky) or 'Pech haben' (to be unlucky): 'Ich habe Glück.' (I am lucky.)
When to use it
Use these expressions when discussing superstitions, lucky charms, or personal beliefs about luck. They are common in everyday conversation, especially around events like New Year's Eve (Silvester) or exams. For example, you might say: 'In Deutschland isst man Linsen an Silvester, das bringt Glück.' (In Germany, people eat lentils on New Year's Eve; that brings luck.) Or: 'Ich klopfe auf Holz, damit ich kein Pech habe.' (I knock on wood so that I don't have bad luck.) These phrases are informal but widely understood.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Glaubst du, dass Nudeln an Neujahr Glück bringen?
Do you believe that noodles on New Year bring luck?GLOWB-st doo, das NOO-deln an NOY-yahr GLÜK BRING-en?Ja, das sagt man zumindest. In Deutschland isst man Linsen, die sehen aus wie Münzen und sollen Glück bringen.
Yes, at least that's what they say. In Germany, people eat lentils; they look like coins and are said to bring luck.YAH, das ZAHGT man tsoo-MIND-est. In DOYCH-lant ist man LIN-zen, dee ZAY-en ows vee MÜN-tsen oont ZOL-en GLÜK BRING-en.Interessant! Ich bin nicht abergläubisch, aber ich klopfe immer auf Holz, wenn ich etwas Gutes sage.
Interesting! I'm not superstitious, but I always knock on wood when I say something good.IN-ter-es-AHNT! Ikh bin nikht AH-ber-glow-bish, AH-ber ikh KLOP-fe IM-mer owf HOLTS, ven ikh ET-vas GOO-tes ZAH-ge.Das mache ich auch. Und schwarze Katzen bringen bei uns Pech, aber in anderen Ländern Glück.
I do that too. And black cats bring bad luck here, but in other countries, good luck.Das MAKH-e ikh OWKH. Oont SHVAR-tse KAT-sen BRING-en bi ONS PESH, AH-ber in AN-de-ren LEN-dern GLÜK.A little context goes a long way
In German-speaking countries, superstitions vary by region. For example, in some areas, a chimney sweep (Schornsteinfeger) is considered lucky, while in others, it's a ladybug (Marienkäfer). The phrase 'auf Holz klopfen' is common, but you might also hear 'toi, toi, toi' (pronounced 'toy, toy, toy') to ward off bad luck. Note that 'Aberglaube' can have a slightly negative connotation, implying irrational belief, so use it carefully. Many Germans claim not to be superstitious but still practice small rituals.
One thing to watch for
Using 'Glück' with an article, e.g., 'Das bringt ein Glück.'
Try this instead: 'Glück' is uncountable in this context, so no article is used: 'Das bringt Glück.' Similarly, 'Pech' is uncountable: 'Das bringt Pech.'
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you say 'A four-leaf clover brings luck' in German?
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Ein vierblättriges Kleeblatt bringt Glück.
This uses the pattern 'bringen + Glück' with the subject 'ein vierblättriges Kleeblatt'. Note the adjective ending '-es' for neuter nominative.
2What is the German phrase for 'to knock on wood'?
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auf Holz klopfen
This is the standard expression. You might also hear 'auf Holz klopfen' with the same meaning.
3Translate: 'I have bad luck.'
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Ich habe Pech.
This uses 'Pech haben' (to have bad luck). Alternatively, you could say 'Ich bin vom Pech verfolgt' (I am pursued by bad luck), but 'Ich habe Pech' is more common.
Use 'Glück bringen' and 'Pech bringen' to talk about lucky and unlucky things, and remember 'auf Holz klopfen' to ward off bad luck. Practice by describing superstitions from your own culture in German.
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