auf gut Deutsch

in plain German; to call a spade a spade

adverb owf goot DOYTSH Rare

Usage Note

auf gut Deutsch is a set phrase meaning 'in plain language', often with a mildly blunt or ironic tone. It signals that the speaker is dropping polite circumlocution in favour of directness.

Examples

"Auf gut Deutsch: das war ein Misserfolg."

Natural Translation

To put it plainly: that was a failure.

Literal Translation

On good German: that was a failure.

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