head-scratching
das Kopfzerbrechen
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head-scratching
Intense thought about a difficult question or problem.
Nach langem Kopfzerbrechen fand sie endlich die Lösung der kniffligen Rechenaufgabe.
After a long bout of head-scratching, she finally found the solution to the tricky math problem.
to give someone a headache
To cause someone difficulties or worries and thereby make them think intensely. The expression is also commonly used with 'machen' (to make) instead of 'bereiten' (to cause).
Die Finanzierung des Projekts bereitet uns noch Kopfzerbrechen.
The project's financing is still giving us a headache.
to worry
To worry about something and think about it intensely.
Mach dir wegen der Kosten kein Kopfzerbrechen, ich übernehme die Rechnung.
Don't worry about the cost; I'll pay the bill.
| gender | neuter das |
|---|---|
| genitive | des Kopfzerbrechens |
| singular | plural | |
|---|---|---|
| nominative | das Kopfzerbrechen | – |
| accusative | das Kopfzerbrechen | – |
| dative | dem Kopfzerbrechen | – |
| genitive | des Kopfzerbrechens | – |
The article changes with the case; it is shown in colour.
In 'Kopfzerbrechen' (head-scratching), you can recognize 'Kopf' (head) and 'zerbrechen' (to break). This combination is figurative: it does not refer to a physical injury.
Die Suche nach einem passenden Namen hat uns viel Kopfzerbrechen bereitet.
The search for a suitable name caused us a lot of head-scratching.
'Kopfzerbrechen' (head-scratching) is often used with 'viel' (a lot of), 'wenig' (little), or 'unnötig' (unnecessary). The phrase 'sich viel Kopfzerbrechen ersparen' (to save oneself a lot of head-scratching) emphasizes that you can avoid extensive thought.
Mit einer klaren Anleitung kannst du dir viel Kopfzerbrechen ersparen.
With clear instructions, you can save yourself a lot of head-scratching.
In 'jemandem Kopfzerbrechen bereiten' (to give someone a headache), the affected person is in the dative. The cause of the worries or difficulties is the subject; the same pattern applies with 'machen' (to make).
Der neue Zeitplan bereitet dem Team Kopfzerbrechen.
The new schedule is giving the team a headache.
Die steigenden Preise machen den Veranstaltern Kopfzerbrechen.
Rising prices are giving the organizers a headache.
In 'sich Kopfzerbrechen machen' (to worry), the reflexive pronoun is in the dative, for example 'mir' (myself) or 'dir' (yourself). The topic can be introduced with 'über' (about) and the accusative.
Ich mache mir über den nächsten Schritt noch Kopfzerbrechen.
I'm still worrying about the next step.
