How to Say ‘Do you mean that, or is that a pickup line?’ in German
Meinst du das ernst, oder ist das ein Anmachspruch?
mynst doo dahs EH-rnst OH-der ist dahs ine AN-makh-shprookh
[mynst doo dahs EH-rnst OH-der ist dahs ine AN-makh-shprookh]
🇩🇪 In Germany: Germans value directness, so calling out a possible line is playful rather than rude. A straight, honest answer usually wins more points than a smooth one.
Phrase Breakdown
Meinst du das ernst,
mynst doo dahs EH-rnst
Do you mean that seriously,
Asks whether someone is being sincere. Pause briefly at the comma.
Meinst du das ernst? Wirklich?
Do you mean that seriously? Really?
Words in this phrase
Meinst
[mynst]
do you mean
Form of 'meinen' (to mean) for 'du'.
Was meinst du?
What do you mean?
du
[doo]
you (singular/informal)
Used when speaking to one person informally.
Wie fühlst du dich heute Abend?
How do you feel this evening?
das
[dahs]
that / it
Can refer to a thing, item, or dish in front of you.
Was ist das? Das Wort das can mean that or it.
What is that? The word das can mean that or it.
ernst
[EH-rnst]
serious
Demanding or characterized by careful consideration or application.
Meinst du das ernst?
Are you being serious?
oder ist das
OH-der ist dahs
or is that
'oder' (or) introduces the alternative. The word order stays as in a question.
Oder ist das ein Witz?
Or is that a joke?
Words in this phrase
oder
[OH-der]
or
Used to connect choices between options.
Nehmen Sie Tee oder Kaffee?
Will you take tea or coffee?
ist
[ist]
is
A form of the verb 'sein' used for singular subjects.
Für viele Bewerber Ist ein gutes Teamklima entscheidend.
For many applicants, a good team climate is crucial.
das
[dahs]
that / it
Can refer to a thing, item, or dish in front of you.
Was ist das? Das Wort das can mean that or it.
What is that? The word das can mean that or it.
ein Anmachspruch?
ine AN-makh-shprookh
a pickup line?
A line used to flirt with someone. Stress the first syllable: AN-mach-spruch.
Kennst du einen guten Anmachspruch?
Do you know a good pickup line?
Words in this phrase
ein
[ine]
a; an
The article used before the masculine noun "Schuss."
In „Wow, was für ein Schuss!“ steht „ein“ vor „Schuss“.
In "Wow, what a shot!", "ein" comes before "Schuss."
Anmachspruch
[AN-makh-shprookh]
pick-up line
A line used to chat someone up.
Das war ein schlechter Anmachspruch.
That was a bad pick-up line.
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