How do you say “Under the weather” in German?
The closest natural German equivalent is Angeschlagen sein, which literally means “To be knocked about”. English speakers use under the weather to mean slightly ill or not feeling well. Natural and polite, with the same vagueness as the English: you are unwell, but you are not saying how. It is informal, neutral and common in everyday German.
Closest natural German
Angeschlagen sein
/ˈanɡəʃlaːɡən zaɪn/
- Literal meaning
- “To be knocked about”
- Register
- informal, neutral
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Close equivalent
82 out of 100
What a native German speaker would actually say
"Angeschlagen" describes someone who is run down or slightly ill, and it is exactly as discreet as the English phrase.
One cultural note: German colleagues often name the illness directly. Being vague is understood, but it is less expected than in British English.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning4 out of 5
- Tone5 out of 5
- Context4 out of 5
- Literal similarity2 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in German?
Mir geht's nicht so gut.
Literally: “I'm not doing so well.”
The plainest and most common way to say it.
Ich fühle mich nicht wohl.
Literally: “I don't feel well.”
Neutral, suitable for work emails.
Ich bin ein bisschen erkältet.
Literally: “I have a bit of a cold.”
Use only if it really is a cold, German speakers tend to be more specific than English speakers here.
Don't translate it literally
Unter dem Wetter sein
The literal translation means nothing in German and will simply confuse the listener.
Word-for-word versions like these are understood as literal statements in German, not as expressions.
In context
English
I'm feeling a bit under the weather today.
German
Ich bin heute etwas angeschlagen.
English
She's under the weather, so she's working from home.
German
Ihr geht's nicht so gut, deshalb arbeitet sie von zu Hause.
Related expressions
- What “Under the weather” means in English
- Call it a day, To stop for the day, or stop altogether.
Last reviewed 2026-09-11