How to Say ‘Thought they were clever people’ in German
Hielten sich für schlaue Leute
💬 Usage Tip: The phrase can imply either earnest self-assessment or ironic criticism.
🇩🇪 In Germany: Expresses a theme of self-awareness or hubris, common in German literature.
Phrase Breakdown
Hielten sich
für
Schlaue Leute
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.
Get the Full Learning Experience
This lesson is just a preview. Download PrettyFluent to practice pronunciation, roleplay conversations, and master vocabulary with spaced repetition.
Pronunciation Feedback
AI-powered speech recognition to perfect your accent
Spaced Repetition
Retain vocabulary long-term with smart practice
Immersive Roleplaying
Practice real conversations with AI partners
Custom Scenarios
Request lessons tailored to your specific needs
Get Full LessonWhat Learners Are Saying
“Berlin bureaucracy requires real German. This app got me from zero to handling my Anmeldung appointment in three weeks. My coworkers couldn’t believe it.”
Emma L., 27, UX Researcher
“Relocated to Munich with my family. The everyday scenarios — grocery shopping, doctor visits, school meetings — are exactly what we needed to settle in.”
Marcus J., 40, Engineer
“I tried five different apps before this one. The roleplay conversations are what finally made things click. I actually remember what I learn now.”
Sofia R., 31, Marketing Manager