Meaning
Used to indicate that something is not accidental and usually carries a warning that a situation is difficult or deceitful, implying a hidden cause.
Primary Function
Expressing a causal relationship with an implied warning
Communicative Purpose
Emphasize the legitimacy or necessity of a situation or action by invoking a proverbial saying
Pattern
Nicht umsonst sagt man, dass
Core Structure
Nicht umsonst sagt man, dass
Função primária
Expressing a causal relationship with an implied warning
Propósito comunicativo
Emphasize the legitimacy or necessity of a situation or action by invoking a proverbial saying
Situações de gatilho
Someone explains why a task is complicated, someone warns about a person or situation, discussion about unexpected obstacles
Contextos
Everyday conversations, informal discussions, literary or figurative language
Padrão
Nicht umsonst sagt man, dass
Estrutura central
Nicht umsonst sagt man, dass
Slots de substituição
The clause following 'dass' is variable and can be replaced by any appropriate justification.
Colocados típicos
- nicht umsonst
- sagt man
- der Teufel
- immer Zähne
- hat
Substituições comuns
- Es ist kein Zufall
- dass... (similar meaning)
- Wie man sagt
- dass... (less figurative)
- Der Teufel hat Zähne (literal) – not idiomatic
Erros comuns
Omitting the comma after 'sagt man', incorrect word order (e.g., 'der Teufel hat immer Zähne, nicht umsonst'), using an incorrect subject
Similar / contraste
Kein Wunder, dass..., Es ist kein Zufall, dass..., Wie man so schön sagt...
Interferências
English speakers may confuse this with the literal translation 'not for nothing' and miss the idiomatic warning meaning; avoid translating word‑by‑word.
Família do chunk
- Nicht umsonst...
- Es heißt nicht umsonst...
- Kein Wunder
- dass...
Nuance
Proverbial expression with a slightly archaic tone; often used humorously or ironically. 'Der Teufel' symbolizes the unexpected or negative here.
Efeito pragmático
Adds emphasis and a nearly mythical justification; signals that the situation is typical or predictable.
Dica de memória
Teufel immer Zähne
Nota
Der Ausdruck wirkt leicht altmodisch und wird vor allem in erzählerischen oder humorvollen Kontexten verwendet; in formellen Schreiben besser eine neutralere Formulierung wählen.
Upgrade path
Es ist kein Zufall, dass...
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