How do you say “Through thick and thin” in German?
The closest natural German equivalent is durch dick und dünn, which literally means “through thick and thin”. English speakers use through thick and thin to mean through both good times and bad, without giving up on someone. This is an exact historical cognate to the English phrase and is used ubiquitously by native speakers, most often paired with the verb 'gehen' (to go). It is neutral, informal and common in everyday German.
Closest natural German
durch dick und dünn
[dʊʁç ˈdɪk ʊnt ˈdʏn]
- Literal meaning
- “through thick and thin”
- Register
- neutral, informal
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Near-exact equivalent
98 out of 100
What a native German speaker would actually say
Both English and German share the exact same Germanic metaphor here: navigating through dense, difficult thickets ('dick') as well as sparse, open terrain ('dünn'). Because the idiom evolved identically across both languages, 'durch dick und dünn' mirrors the English phrase in meaning, emotional resonance, and everyday colloquial usage.
In German, the phrase is most frequently embedded in the verbal collocation 'mit jemandem durch dick und dünn gehen' (to go through thick and thin with someone). It is standard across all demographics and fits naturally into informal chats, heartfelt speeches, and written narratives without sounding archaic or overly poetic.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning5 out of 5
- Tone5 out of 5
- Context5 out of 5
- Literal similarity5 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in German?
in guten wie in schlechten Zeiten
Literally: “in good as in bad times”
More formal and solemn, famously associated with wedding vows.
durch Höhen und Tiefen
Literally: “through highs and lows”
Emphasizes the emotional ups and downs of a journey or relationship.
Don't translate it literally
durch fett und mager
Using 'fett' (fat) or 'mager' (lean) instead of 'dick und dünn' turns the established idiom into nonsensical food terminology.
Word-for-word versions like these are understood as literal statements in German, not as expressions.
In context
English
True friends stick together through thick and thin.
German
Wahre Freunde gehen zusammen durch dick und dünn.
English
We've been through thick and thin together over the last ten years.
German
In den letzten zehn Jahren sind wir gemeinsam durch dick und dünn gegangen.
Related expressions
- What “Through thick and thin” means in English
- Water under the bridge, A past problem that no longer matters.
- Burn your bridges, To cut off any way back.
Last reviewed 2026-09-11