A2 Colloquial Reprimand

„Stell' dich nicht so dumm an!"

Don't act the fool. Don't be so stupid.

Stell' dich nicht so dumm an! — German idiom meaning: Don't act the fool. Don't be so stupid. (A2)
Stell' dich nicht so dumm an! — German idiom reference | DeuTale

What does „Stell' dich nicht so dumm an!" mean in German?

„Stell' dich nicht so dumm an!" means "Don't act the fool. Don't be so stupid.." Literally: "Don't place yourself so dumbly!."

Literal Translation

"Don't place yourself so dumbly!"

Stell Dont
dich place
nicht yourself
so so
dumm dumbly
an —

English Equivalent

"Stop playing dumb!"

This English idiom conveys the same meaning as the German expression.

Grammar Notes

Reflexive imperative

Modern Form

Modern spelling: „Stell dich nicht so dumm an!"

When is this idiom used?

Colloquial

This expression is used in everyday spoken German in casual and semi-formal settings.

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