Meaning of “wünsch dir was”
There is a song called Wünsch dir was. Online translation says it means make a wish.
I am not yet sure how to interpret it. Is it something like "I wish you something"? Why is "dir" there?
meaning german-to-english
New contributor
add a comment |
There is a song called Wünsch dir was. Online translation says it means make a wish.
I am not yet sure how to interpret it. Is it something like "I wish you something"? Why is "dir" there?
meaning german-to-english
New contributor
3
Perhaps you're referring to this song: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C3%BCnsch_DIR_was The German Wikipedia entry says that the song's author intended the meaning to be ironic.
– henning
14 hours ago
3
Wish yourself something = make a wish.
– Rudy Velthuis
12 hours ago
1
It becomes indirect object or dative object. "dir" is dative form of "du". So it is either an encouragement for someone to wish something for themselves, or if someone left out an "ich" at the start and swallowed an e in "wünsch(e)" it could be "I wish something for you"
– mathreadler
5 hours ago
Because wünsche is reflexive in this case, I feel that "Wish something for yourself" is a translation that is much closer to the actual meaning. For instance, if you were to ask a child what they 'wish for' themselves for Christmas, you would ask "Was wünschst du dir denn zu Weihnachten?" Note that you use the personal pronoun "du" as well as the reflexive pronoun "dir". Therefore the wish is very much for something for them, not just a wish in general.
– Camp bell
5 hours ago
add a comment |
There is a song called Wünsch dir was. Online translation says it means make a wish.
I am not yet sure how to interpret it. Is it something like "I wish you something"? Why is "dir" there?
meaning german-to-english
New contributor
There is a song called Wünsch dir was. Online translation says it means make a wish.
I am not yet sure how to interpret it. Is it something like "I wish you something"? Why is "dir" there?
meaning german-to-english
meaning german-to-english
New contributor
New contributor
edited 25 mins ago
unor
2,0701233
2,0701233
New contributor
asked 17 hours ago
nmd_07
334
334
New contributor
New contributor
3
Perhaps you're referring to this song: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C3%BCnsch_DIR_was The German Wikipedia entry says that the song's author intended the meaning to be ironic.
– henning
14 hours ago
3
Wish yourself something = make a wish.
– Rudy Velthuis
12 hours ago
1
It becomes indirect object or dative object. "dir" is dative form of "du". So it is either an encouragement for someone to wish something for themselves, or if someone left out an "ich" at the start and swallowed an e in "wünsch(e)" it could be "I wish something for you"
– mathreadler
5 hours ago
Because wünsche is reflexive in this case, I feel that "Wish something for yourself" is a translation that is much closer to the actual meaning. For instance, if you were to ask a child what they 'wish for' themselves for Christmas, you would ask "Was wünschst du dir denn zu Weihnachten?" Note that you use the personal pronoun "du" as well as the reflexive pronoun "dir". Therefore the wish is very much for something for them, not just a wish in general.
– Camp bell
5 hours ago
add a comment |
3
Perhaps you're referring to this song: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C3%BCnsch_DIR_was The German Wikipedia entry says that the song's author intended the meaning to be ironic.
– henning
14 hours ago
3
Wish yourself something = make a wish.
– Rudy Velthuis
12 hours ago
1
It becomes indirect object or dative object. "dir" is dative form of "du". So it is either an encouragement for someone to wish something for themselves, or if someone left out an "ich" at the start and swallowed an e in "wünsch(e)" it could be "I wish something for you"
– mathreadler
5 hours ago
Because wünsche is reflexive in this case, I feel that "Wish something for yourself" is a translation that is much closer to the actual meaning. For instance, if you were to ask a child what they 'wish for' themselves for Christmas, you would ask "Was wünschst du dir denn zu Weihnachten?" Note that you use the personal pronoun "du" as well as the reflexive pronoun "dir". Therefore the wish is very much for something for them, not just a wish in general.
– Camp bell
5 hours ago
3
3
Perhaps you're referring to this song: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C3%BCnsch_DIR_was The German Wikipedia entry says that the song's author intended the meaning to be ironic.
– henning
14 hours ago
Perhaps you're referring to this song: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C3%BCnsch_DIR_was The German Wikipedia entry says that the song's author intended the meaning to be ironic.
– henning
14 hours ago
3
3
Wish yourself something = make a wish.
– Rudy Velthuis
12 hours ago
Wish yourself something = make a wish.
– Rudy Velthuis
12 hours ago
1
1
It becomes indirect object or dative object. "dir" is dative form of "du". So it is either an encouragement for someone to wish something for themselves, or if someone left out an "ich" at the start and swallowed an e in "wünsch(e)" it could be "I wish something for you"
– mathreadler
5 hours ago
It becomes indirect object or dative object. "dir" is dative form of "du". So it is either an encouragement for someone to wish something for themselves, or if someone left out an "ich" at the start and swallowed an e in "wünsch(e)" it could be "I wish something for you"
– mathreadler
5 hours ago
Because wünsche is reflexive in this case, I feel that "Wish something for yourself" is a translation that is much closer to the actual meaning. For instance, if you were to ask a child what they 'wish for' themselves for Christmas, you would ask "Was wünschst du dir denn zu Weihnachten?" Note that you use the personal pronoun "du" as well as the reflexive pronoun "dir". Therefore the wish is very much for something for them, not just a wish in general.
– Camp bell
5 hours ago
Because wünsche is reflexive in this case, I feel that "Wish something for yourself" is a translation that is much closer to the actual meaning. For instance, if you were to ask a child what they 'wish for' themselves for Christmas, you would ask "Was wünschst du dir denn zu Weihnachten?" Note that you use the personal pronoun "du" as well as the reflexive pronoun "dir". Therefore the wish is very much for something for them, not just a wish in general.
– Camp bell
5 hours ago
add a comment |
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
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Is it something like I wish you something?
No, it means that one should wish something for oneself.
I think the translation make a wish is a pretty good fit.
Why is dir there?
Wünschen is in this sentence a reflexive verb: sich etwas wünschen - that's where the dir originates from.
Du wünschst dir etwas.
Now this sentence is a demand, so the imperative form wünsch(e) has to be used:
Wünsch dir (et)was!
Information about the conjugation of the verb can be found on several websites, for example the duden.
3
As a side noteWünsch dir was
is also sometimes used asWir sind hier nicht bei Wünsch-dir-was
meaning you need to stop demanding more, similarly to the wordWunschkonzert
.
– Axel
11 hours ago
@Axel My first that was this "Wünsch-dir-was" phrase too. But the question was actually about a (not further specified) song. So the Wunschkonzert doesn't fit here.
– harper
9 hours ago
So, to be literal, it's basically sayingWish yourself something!
– BruceWayne
4 hours ago
add a comment |
Is it something like I wish you something?
If the person is speaking in a sloppy way, it might be a shortened form of "(Ich) wünsch(e) Dir (et)was", which is a colloquial version of good bye, leaving out (or swallowing) the "ich" = (I) wish you something.
But without context (I don't know the song) one would normally assume the meaning mentioned in the first answer.
add a comment |
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2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
2 Answers
2
active
oldest
votes
active
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votes
active
oldest
votes
Is it something like I wish you something?
No, it means that one should wish something for oneself.
I think the translation make a wish is a pretty good fit.
Why is dir there?
Wünschen is in this sentence a reflexive verb: sich etwas wünschen - that's where the dir originates from.
Du wünschst dir etwas.
Now this sentence is a demand, so the imperative form wünsch(e) has to be used:
Wünsch dir (et)was!
Information about the conjugation of the verb can be found on several websites, for example the duden.
3
As a side noteWünsch dir was
is also sometimes used asWir sind hier nicht bei Wünsch-dir-was
meaning you need to stop demanding more, similarly to the wordWunschkonzert
.
– Axel
11 hours ago
@Axel My first that was this "Wünsch-dir-was" phrase too. But the question was actually about a (not further specified) song. So the Wunschkonzert doesn't fit here.
– harper
9 hours ago
So, to be literal, it's basically sayingWish yourself something!
– BruceWayne
4 hours ago
add a comment |
Is it something like I wish you something?
No, it means that one should wish something for oneself.
I think the translation make a wish is a pretty good fit.
Why is dir there?
Wünschen is in this sentence a reflexive verb: sich etwas wünschen - that's where the dir originates from.
Du wünschst dir etwas.
Now this sentence is a demand, so the imperative form wünsch(e) has to be used:
Wünsch dir (et)was!
Information about the conjugation of the verb can be found on several websites, for example the duden.
3
As a side noteWünsch dir was
is also sometimes used asWir sind hier nicht bei Wünsch-dir-was
meaning you need to stop demanding more, similarly to the wordWunschkonzert
.
– Axel
11 hours ago
@Axel My first that was this "Wünsch-dir-was" phrase too. But the question was actually about a (not further specified) song. So the Wunschkonzert doesn't fit here.
– harper
9 hours ago
So, to be literal, it's basically sayingWish yourself something!
– BruceWayne
4 hours ago
add a comment |
Is it something like I wish you something?
No, it means that one should wish something for oneself.
I think the translation make a wish is a pretty good fit.
Why is dir there?
Wünschen is in this sentence a reflexive verb: sich etwas wünschen - that's where the dir originates from.
Du wünschst dir etwas.
Now this sentence is a demand, so the imperative form wünsch(e) has to be used:
Wünsch dir (et)was!
Information about the conjugation of the verb can be found on several websites, for example the duden.
Is it something like I wish you something?
No, it means that one should wish something for oneself.
I think the translation make a wish is a pretty good fit.
Why is dir there?
Wünschen is in this sentence a reflexive verb: sich etwas wünschen - that's where the dir originates from.
Du wünschst dir etwas.
Now this sentence is a demand, so the imperative form wünsch(e) has to be used:
Wünsch dir (et)was!
Information about the conjugation of the verb can be found on several websites, for example the duden.
edited 12 hours ago
answered 16 hours ago
SomeWindowsUser
1,0701417
1,0701417
3
As a side noteWünsch dir was
is also sometimes used asWir sind hier nicht bei Wünsch-dir-was
meaning you need to stop demanding more, similarly to the wordWunschkonzert
.
– Axel
11 hours ago
@Axel My first that was this "Wünsch-dir-was" phrase too. But the question was actually about a (not further specified) song. So the Wunschkonzert doesn't fit here.
– harper
9 hours ago
So, to be literal, it's basically sayingWish yourself something!
– BruceWayne
4 hours ago
add a comment |
3
As a side noteWünsch dir was
is also sometimes used asWir sind hier nicht bei Wünsch-dir-was
meaning you need to stop demanding more, similarly to the wordWunschkonzert
.
– Axel
11 hours ago
@Axel My first that was this "Wünsch-dir-was" phrase too. But the question was actually about a (not further specified) song. So the Wunschkonzert doesn't fit here.
– harper
9 hours ago
So, to be literal, it's basically sayingWish yourself something!
– BruceWayne
4 hours ago
3
3
As a side note
Wünsch dir was
is also sometimes used as Wir sind hier nicht bei Wünsch-dir-was
meaning you need to stop demanding more, similarly to the word Wunschkonzert
.– Axel
11 hours ago
As a side note
Wünsch dir was
is also sometimes used as Wir sind hier nicht bei Wünsch-dir-was
meaning you need to stop demanding more, similarly to the word Wunschkonzert
.– Axel
11 hours ago
@Axel My first that was this "Wünsch-dir-was" phrase too. But the question was actually about a (not further specified) song. So the Wunschkonzert doesn't fit here.
– harper
9 hours ago
@Axel My first that was this "Wünsch-dir-was" phrase too. But the question was actually about a (not further specified) song. So the Wunschkonzert doesn't fit here.
– harper
9 hours ago
So, to be literal, it's basically saying
Wish yourself something!
– BruceWayne
4 hours ago
So, to be literal, it's basically saying
Wish yourself something!
– BruceWayne
4 hours ago
add a comment |
Is it something like I wish you something?
If the person is speaking in a sloppy way, it might be a shortened form of "(Ich) wünsch(e) Dir (et)was", which is a colloquial version of good bye, leaving out (or swallowing) the "ich" = (I) wish you something.
But without context (I don't know the song) one would normally assume the meaning mentioned in the first answer.
add a comment |
Is it something like I wish you something?
If the person is speaking in a sloppy way, it might be a shortened form of "(Ich) wünsch(e) Dir (et)was", which is a colloquial version of good bye, leaving out (or swallowing) the "ich" = (I) wish you something.
But without context (I don't know the song) one would normally assume the meaning mentioned in the first answer.
add a comment |
Is it something like I wish you something?
If the person is speaking in a sloppy way, it might be a shortened form of "(Ich) wünsch(e) Dir (et)was", which is a colloquial version of good bye, leaving out (or swallowing) the "ich" = (I) wish you something.
But without context (I don't know the song) one would normally assume the meaning mentioned in the first answer.
Is it something like I wish you something?
If the person is speaking in a sloppy way, it might be a shortened form of "(Ich) wünsch(e) Dir (et)was", which is a colloquial version of good bye, leaving out (or swallowing) the "ich" = (I) wish you something.
But without context (I don't know the song) one would normally assume the meaning mentioned in the first answer.
answered 13 hours ago
Volker Landgraf
1,588118
1,588118
add a comment |
add a comment |
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3
Perhaps you're referring to this song: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/W%C3%BCnsch_DIR_was The German Wikipedia entry says that the song's author intended the meaning to be ironic.
– henning
14 hours ago
3
Wish yourself something = make a wish.
– Rudy Velthuis
12 hours ago
1
It becomes indirect object or dative object. "dir" is dative form of "du". So it is either an encouragement for someone to wish something for themselves, or if someone left out an "ich" at the start and swallowed an e in "wünsch(e)" it could be "I wish something for you"
– mathreadler
5 hours ago
Because wünsche is reflexive in this case, I feel that "Wish something for yourself" is a translation that is much closer to the actual meaning. For instance, if you were to ask a child what they 'wish for' themselves for Christmas, you would ask "Was wünschst du dir denn zu Weihnachten?" Note that you use the personal pronoun "du" as well as the reflexive pronoun "dir". Therefore the wish is very much for something for them, not just a wish in general.
– Camp bell
5 hours ago