der Brass
anger
A colloquial expression for great anger, annoyance, or rage.
EXAMPLE
Er hatte einen riesigen Brass auf seinen Nachbarn, weil der immer so laut war.
He was really angry at his neighbor because he was always so loud.
der Brass
anger / brass
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Meanings
der Brass
brass
In music, the group of brass instruments in an orchestra or band (e.g., trumpets, trombones). The term can also refer to a style of music dominated by these instruments.
EXAMPLE
Der fette Brass-Sound der Funk-Band brachte das Publikum sofort zum Tanzen.
The fat brass sound of the funk band immediately got the audience dancing.
Usage tips
Context clue
You can often recognize the meaning 'Wut' (anger) from the fixed expression 'einen Brass auf jemanden haben' (to be angry at someone). The musical meaning, by contrast, appears in the context of instruments, bands, or musical styles.
EXAMPLE
Ich habe einen Brass, weil mein Zug schon wieder Verspätung hat.
I'm angry because my train is delayed again.
Fixed expression (anger)
The colloquial meaning 'Wut' (anger) is almost always used in the fixed expression 'einen Brass auf jemanden/etwas haben' (to be angry at someone/something). The person one is angry at is in the accusative.
EXAMPLE
Sie hat einen riesigen Brass auf ihren Chef.
She is really angry at her boss.
Register: colloquial
The expression 'einen Brass haben' (to be angry) is purely colloquial. It is not used in formal or written contexts.
EXAMPLE
Komm, beruhige dich, es lohnt sich nicht, deswegen so einen Brass zu haben.
Come on, calm down, it's not worth getting so angry about it.
Typical collocations (music)
In a musical context, 'Brass' is often part of compounds such as 'Brass-Band' (a band consisting only of brass players), 'Brass-Sektion' (the brass section in an orchestra), or 'Brass-Sound' (brass sound).
EXAMPLE
Mir gefällt der typische Brass-Sound aus New Orleans.
I like the typical brass sound from New Orleans.
Compare with
Brass vs Ärger
annoyance / trouble
Ärger and Brass both refer to a feeling of anger or dissatisfaction. Ärger is the broader, neutral term, while Brass is colloquial and expresses particularly strong anger. Ärger fits ordinary displeasure, while Brass is better for intense anger in an informal conversation.
Brass
Nach der dritten Verspätung hatte sie einen gewaltigen Brass.
After the third delay, she was absolutely furious.
Ärger
Ihr Ärger über die erneute Verspätung war deutlich zu merken.
Her annoyance at the repeated delay was clearly noticeable.
In real life
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