Das Macht Den Kohl Nicht Fett

"Das macht den Kohl nicht fett" is a common German idiom. It translates roughly to "That doesn't make the cabbage fat." What does that mean? Let's break it down.

Essentially, the saying means: That doesn't make a difference. That won't change anything. That won't help. It implies that something is insignificant or irrelevant in achieving a desired outcome.

Unpacking the Cabbage

Why cabbage (Kohl)? And why does it need to be fat (fett)? Think of it this way: a thin, meager cabbage isn't very desirable. You want a plump, juicy cabbage to make a good meal. So, "making the cabbage fat" means improving it, making it better, making it more substantial.

The saying suggests that whatever action or statement is being discussed has no effect on improving the "cabbage" – the situation, the problem, the goal. It's like adding a single drop of water to a desert – it won't change the overall dryness.

Everyday Examples

Imagine a student who failed an important exam. He then asks his friend to borrow a pen. His friend might reply: "Das macht den Kohl nicht fett!" Meaning, borrowing a pen now won't change the fact that you failed the exam. It's irrelevant to the problem.

Another example: Suppose someone is trying to save money but continues to buy expensive coffee every day. You might say: "Jeden Tag teuren Kaffee zu kaufen, macht den Kohl nicht fett, wenn du wirklich sparen willst!" (Buying expensive coffee every day won't help if you really want to save money!). The small act of saving a few cents here and there is negated by the larger, continuous expense.

Let's say a company is facing serious financial difficulties. They decide to buy new office plants. An employee might comment: "Neue Pflanzen zu kaufen, macht den Kohl jetzt auch nicht fett." (Buying new plants won't help now.) The small cosmetic change won't address the core financial problems.

Synonyms and Similar Expressions

There are several other ways to express the same idea in German. Here are a few alternatives:

• Das bringt nichts. (That brings nothing.)
• Das hilft nichts. (That doesn't help.)
• Das ändert nichts. (That changes nothing.)
• Das ist egal. (That is the same.)
• Das spielt keine Rolle. (That doesn't play a role.)

Regional Variations

While "Das macht den Kohl nicht fett" is widely understood, there might be subtle regional variations in its usage. In some areas, similar idioms with different agricultural products might exist. However, the core meaning of insignificance or ineffectiveness remains consistent.

When to Use It

Use this idiom when you want to express that an action, statement, or suggestion is pointless or won't have a significant impact on the overall situation. It's a concise and colorful way to convey the idea of irrelevance. It's often used in situations where someone is trying to address a problem with an inadequate or superficial solution.

Think of it as politely (or sometimes impolitely!) pointing out that someone's efforts are futile or misdirected. It's a useful phrase to have in your German vocabulary to express skepticism or disagreement in a concise and impactful way. The "Kohl" might not get any fatter, but your German communication skills will!