Um Gottes Willen! (For God's sake! / For heaven's sake!)

Grammar & Usage

fixed expression

neutral to slightly emphatic/exasperated

How it works

This is an idiomatic exclamation. It consists of the preposition 'um' (for), the genitive form of 'Gott' (God), and the noun 'Willen' (sake/will) which is often used in the genitive phrase 'jemandes Willen' to mean 'for someone's sake'. The structure is fixed and functions as an interjection.

Sample sentences

Um Gottes Willen, sei vorsichtig auf der Straße!

For God's sake, be careful on the road!

Was machst du da, um Gottes Willen?

What are you doing there, for heaven's sake?

Nein, um Gottes Willen! Das darfst du auf keinen Fall tun!

No, for God's sake! You absolutely must not do that!

Quick facts

usageContext:Used to express exasperation, shock, urgency, or to strongly forbid something. It can be used both positively (e.g., 'thank God') but is more commonly used in a negative or urgent context.

Often used with

um Himmels Willen! (for heaven's sake!)

Was tust du um Gottes Willen? (What are you doing for God's sake?)

Nein, um Gottes Willen nicht! (No, for God's sake not!)

Mnemonic

Sign in for a creative sound-alike story that makes "Um Gottes Willen!" unforgettable 🧠

Get an AI-generated memory hook for Um Gottes Willen! — a vivid scene that locks the word in your brain 🧠

Example

Um Gottes Willen, sei vorsichtig auf der Straße!

For God's sake, be careful on the road!

Was machst du da, um Gottes Willen?

What are you doing there, for heaven's sake?

Sign in for AI-generated examples tailored to your level ✨