A2 Colloquial Exclamation
„(Gott) behüte!"
God forbid. Never. No, no.
What does „(Gott) behüte!" mean in German?
„(Gott) behüte!" means "God forbid. Never. No, no.." Literally: "God guard!."
Literal Translation
"God guard!"
Gott God
behüte guard
English Equivalent
"God forbid!"
This English idiom conveys the same meaning as the German expression.
Grammar Notes
Subjunctive exclamation
Modern Form
Modern spelling: „Gott behüte!"
When is this idiom used?
Colloquial
This expression is used in everyday spoken German in casual and semi-formal settings.
Related Words
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Related Idioms
„Es lebe der König!"
Long live the king!
„Wer A sagt, muß auch B sagen."
In for a penny, in for a pound.
„Er kommt ab und zu."
He comes now and then.
„Er ist das Abbild (von) seiner Mutter."
He is the very image of his mother.
„Ich kann heute nicht abkommen."
I can't get away (off) today.
„Die Uhr ist abgelaufen."
The clock has run down.
