How do you say “Walking on eggshells” in German?
The closest natural German equivalent is Jedes Wort auf die Goldwaage legen müssen, which literally means “To have to put every word on the gold scales”. English speakers use walking on eggshells to mean being extremely careful not to upset someone. Useful when you must watch what you say; it does not cover every kind of cautious behaviour. It is informal and common in everyday German.
Closest natural German
Jedes Wort auf die Goldwaage legen müssen
/ˈjeːdəs vɔʁt aʊf diː ˈɡɔltˌvaːɡə ˈleːɡn̩ ˈmʏsn̩/
- Literal meaning
- “To have to put every word on the gold scales”
- Register
- informal
- How often it's used
- common
- Equivalence
Close equivalent
80 out of 100
What a native German speaker would actually say
English pictures fragile shells breaking underfoot. German can picture weighing each word with the care used for gold.
The German phrase here needs “müssen” to show the speaker feels forced to be careful. Without that context, putting words on the gold scales can mean taking someone else’s words too literally.
How close is the meaning?
- Meaning4 out of 5
- Tone4 out of 5
- Context4 out of 5
- Literal similarity1 out of 5
These ratings are editorial approximations, not measurements.
What are other ways to say it in German?
Vorsichtig sein müssen
Literally: “To have to be careful”
A plain choice that also covers actions.
Jemanden mit Samthandschuhen anfassen
Literally: “To handle someone with velvet gloves”
Use when someone needs very delicate treatment.
Don't translate it literally
Auf Eierschalen laufen
This is not the usual German idiom for tension around a person.
Word-for-word versions like these are understood as literal statements in German, not as expressions.
In context
English
I’m walking on eggshells whenever I talk to him.
German
Wenn ich mit ihm rede, muss ich jedes Wort auf die Goldwaage legen.
English
We’re all walking on eggshells around her.
German
Wir müssen alle sehr vorsichtig mit ihr sein.
Related expressions
- What “Walking on eggshells” means in English
- Add fuel to the fire, To make a conflict worse.
- The elephant in the room, An obvious issue nobody mentions.
Last reviewed 2026-09-12