What does the German phrase ach du lieber mean in English?

Answer 1

My mother (from German Jewish background) and paternal grandmother (from Swedish background) used this expression to denote surprise or concern when I acted precociously or stupidly as a child. I took it to be a short form of "Oh, you dear child!" for "Ach, du lieber Kind!" or "Oh, you dear idiot!" for "Ach, du lieber Dummkopf!". They probably left out the object noun to cover both sentiments. Such is the typical German virtue for efficiency and bluntness....

Answer 2

Ach du lieber! is a shortened form of Ach du lieber Himmel! or Ach du lieber Gott! and translates as:

Oh my God!

or

Good Heavens!

Answer 3

Oh, dude, "ach du lieber" is like German for "oh my dear" or "oh my goodness." So, it's basically what you say when you're surprised or shocked... or when you find out they discontinued your favorite snack at the grocery store. Like, it's all about expressing that mix of emotions without actually saying a bad word.

Answer 4

The German phrase "ach du lieber" translates to "oh, you dear" or "oh, you dear one" in English. It is an expression used to convey surprise, shock, or disbelief in a somewhat endearing or affectionate manner. The phrase is often used in informal conversations or situations to express a range of emotions such as astonishment, concern, or even amusement.

Answer 5

Well, darling, "ach du lieber" is German for "oh dear" or "oh my goodness." It's like when you stub your toe and let out a dramatic exclamation. So next time you're feeling a bit dramatic, just throw in a little "ach du lieber" for extra flair.