Hielten sich für schlaue Leute
Thought they were clever people
Language note: The phrase can imply either earnest self-assessment or ironic criticism.
Culture note: Expresses a theme of self-awareness or hubris, common in German literature.
Context: Sarah responds to Tom by saying that these people thought they were being smart, but clearly, they were not.
Word-by-Word Breakdown
Hielten
[HEE-lten]
held
To have a position or view.
Sie hielten sich für Experten.
They considered themselves experts.
sich
[zikh]
themselves
Used to refer reflexively to a group of two or more people.
Sie hielten sich angespannt.
They held themselves tense.
für
[fuhr]
for
Indicates the object or recipient of a perception or view.
Er hielt sich für stark.
He considered himself strong.
schlaue
[SHLOW-uh]
clever
Displaying mental acuity; smart or ingenious.
Sie hielten sich für schlaue Leute.
They considered themselves clever people.
Leute
[LOY-tuh]
people
Human beings making up a group or community.
Sie hielten sich für schlaue Leute.
They considered themselves clever people.
Phrase Parts
Hielten sich
für
Schlaue Leute
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