der Teufel
devil
In many religions and myths, the embodiment of evil and the adversary of God.
EXAMPLE
In vielen Geschichten versucht der Teufel, die Menschen zu verführen.
In many stories, the devil tries to tempt people.
der Teufel
devil
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Meanings
den Teufel an die Wand malen
to paint the devil on the wall
To fear or predict the worst possible development of a situation; to be overly pessimistic.
EXAMPLE
Du musst nicht immer gleich den Teufel an die Wand malen, es wird schon alles gut gehen.
You don't always have to paint the devil on the wall right away; everything will be fine.
in Teufels Küche kommen
to get into devil's kitchen
To get into big trouble or a very unpleasant situation.
EXAMPLE
Wenn wir die Frist nicht einhalten, kommen wir in Teufels Küche.
If we don't meet the deadline, we'll get into devil's kitchen.
der Teufel
devil
(Colloquial) A term for a person perceived as cunning, malicious, or very difficult.
EXAMPLE
Pass auf ihn auf, er ist ein kleiner Teufel.
Watch out for him; he's a little devil.
zum Teufel
to the devil
An exclamation of anger, impatience, or rejection.
EXAMPLE
Geh zum Teufel mit deinen Ausreden!
Go to the devil with your excuses!
Usage tips
Fixed expression
A very common expression is 'Der Teufel steckt im Detail' (the devil is in the details). It means that the difficulties of something often lie in the small, inconspicuous aspects.
EXAMPLE
Der Plan sieht gut aus, aber der Teufel steckt im Detail.
The plan looks good, but the devil is in the details.
Fixed expression
The idiom 'den Teufel an die Wand malen' (to paint the devil on the wall) is a fixed unit. It is used to criticize someone who is unnecessarily pessimistic.
EXAMPLE
Sei nicht so negativ und male nicht immer gleich den Teufel an die Wand!
Don't be so negative and don't always paint the devil on the wall right away!
Fixed expression
The expression 'in Teufels Küche kommen' (to get into devil's kitchen) means to get into serious trouble. The structure is fixed and is often combined with 'Wenn..., dann...' (if..., then...) sentences.
EXAMPLE
Wenn dein Chef das herausfindet, kommst du in Teufels Küche.
If your boss finds out, you'll get into devil's kitchen.
Colloquial use
When a person is referred to as a 'Teufel' (devil), it is colloquial. It often describes a clever, cheeky, or sometimes malicious person, and is often also used affectionately and ironically for a child.
EXAMPLE
Mein kleiner Neffe ist ein echter Teufel, er stellt nur Unsinn an.
My little nephew is a real devil; he's always getting up to nonsense.
As an exclamation
The expression 'Zum Teufel!' (To the devil!/Damn it!) is used as an emotional exclamation of anger or rejection. It can stand alone or introduce a command.
EXAMPLE
Zum Teufel, wo habe ich nur meine Schlüssel hingelegt?
Damn it, where did I put my keys?
Compare with
Teufel vs Bär
bear
Both words occur in colloquial idioms expressing a lot of excitement or a lively atmosphere. In this sense, however, the fixed expressions are “Da ist der Bär los” or “Da ist der Teufel los.” The two words cannot be freely interchanged in these expressions.
Teufel
Auf dem Marktplatz ist heute der Teufel los, weil dort ein großes Fest stattfindet.
The marketplace is buzzing today because a big festival is taking place there.
Bär
Auf dem Marktplatz ist heute der Bär los, weil dort ein großes Fest stattfindet.
The marketplace is buzzing today because a big festival is taking place there.
In real life
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