Why do I need to know toi, toi, toi?
Because this expression is fun to say and it's perfect for showing how much you support someone.
What does it mean?
Toi, toi, toi! , which sounds like this, is a colloquial expression used by Germans to wish someone good luck. Similar to the English phrase "break a leg", toi, toi toi is often used in the context of stage performances. It can sometimes be used to mean "touch wood" or "knock on wood".
However, nowadays you can also use it in another scenarios such as when your friend is about to do a test or a job interview - so basically whenever you want to encourage someone to perform well. You can also of course wish someone good luck or viel Glück (but don't say to this to performers - more on that below).
The background to toi, toi, toi is an interesting one because it stems from superstition.
Traditionally, many cultures believed spitting three times warded off evil and bad influences.
But as this can be quite rude, people began making the spitting noise instead, which sounds a bit like repeating the letter: t, which in turn has turned into toi, toi, toi in German. So it is an onomatopoeic expression which essentially means: no bad luck.
This was especially important during performances such as at the opera or theatre. Since it was taboo in superstition to wish each other luck directly, the way to do it was to hug each other, spit over the other person's shoulder and say "toi, toi, toi".
Meanwhile, some linguists interpret toi toi toi as "teu, teu, teu" which would be a nod to the devil - Teufel in German. By saying this, it's argued that the devil will feel appreciated and nothing will stand in the way of a person's desired happiness.
And by the way, after someone has wished you toi, toi, toi in the theatre context, you're not to meant to say anything. Instead, keep silent and go ahead and smash your performance.
We've no idea if actors in Germany do the spitting today or if they stick to just saying: toi, toi, toi!
Use it like this:
Ich mache morgen meinen Einbürgerungstest.
I'm doing my citizenship test tomorrow.
Na, dann toi, toi, toi!
Well then, good luck!
Bisher hat alles gut geklappt - toi, toi, toi.
So far it has all worked out well - touch wood!
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