How do you say “Clear the air” in German?
The closest natural German equivalent is Die Dinge klären, which literally means “To clarify the things”. English speakers use clear the air to mean to discuss a problem openly so that tension or misunderstanding can end. A natural choice for resolving a misunderstanding; it needs context to show the emotional tension. It is neutral and common in everyday German.
Closest natural German
Die Dinge klären
/diː ˈdɪŋə ˈklɛːʁən/
- Literal meaning
- “To clarify the things”
- Register
- neutral
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Close equivalent
85 out of 100
What a native German speaker would actually say
English treats tension as something hanging in the air. German often focuses directly on clarifying the problem.
“Die Dinge klären” may also refer to practical details. “Sich aussprechen” better signals a personal conversation after an argument.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning4 out of 5
- Tone4 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity1 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in German?
Sich aussprechen
Literally: “To speak oneself out”
Use when people talk openly about a problem between them.
Missverständnisse ausräumen
Literally: “To clear out misunderstandings”
More specific, useful when people understood something differently.
Don't translate it literally
Die Luft reinigen
This usually means cleaning the air rather than resolving tension through conversation.
Word-for-word versions like these are understood as literal statements in German, not as expressions.
In context
English
We need to clear the air after yesterday’s argument.
German
Wir müssen nach dem gestrigen Streit die Dinge klären.
English
We met for coffee to clear the air.
German
Wir haben uns auf einen Kaffee getroffen, um uns auszusprechen.
Related expressions
- What “Clear the air” means in English
- Water under the bridge, A past problem that no longer matters.
- The elephant in the room, An obvious issue nobody mentions.
Last reviewed 2026-09-12