B2 Formal Morals

„Was du nicht willst, das man dir tu', das füg' auch keinem andern zu."

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

Was du nicht willst, das man dir tu', das füg' auch keinem andern zu. — German idiom meaning: Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. (B2)
Was du nicht willst, das man dir tu', das füg' auch keinem andern zu. — German idiom reference | DeuTale

What does „Was du nicht willst, das man dir tu', das füg' auch keinem andern zu." mean in German?

„Was du nicht willst, das man dir tu', das füg' auch keinem andern zu." means "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.." Literally: "What you don't want done to you, don't do to others.."

Literal Translation

"What you don't want done to you, don't do to others."

Was What
du you
nicht dont
willst want
das done
man to
dir you
tu dont
das do
füg to
auch others
keinem
andern
zu

English Equivalent

"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you."

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

Grammar Notes

Golden Rule; archaic verb forms; subjunctive

When is this idiom used?

Formal

This expression is used in formal or literary German, often found in written texts and speeches.

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