wo brennt's

German

Etymology

Literally, “where is it burning?”

Phrase

wo brennt’s?

1. where's the fire (why are you so agitated or hurried?)

   „Herr Meier! Herr Meier! Ich muss Sie unbedingt sprechen!“ – „Ja natürlich! Beruhigen Sie sich! Wo brennt’s denn?“

   “Mr Meier! Mr Meier! I really need to talk to you!” – “Why of course! Do calm down! Where’s the fire?”

Usage notes

• The German expression usually entails an actual question about the perceived problem. In order to express merely that one thinks the fuss exaggerated, one would normally use other phrases such as warum so aufgeregt? (“why so agitated?”) or wozu die Eile? (“for what the hurry?”).