Words/idioms similar to "facepalm" in non-English languages?

[bongomania]

Over in another thread yesterday a fellow from Sweden described a real forehead-slapping groaner of a situation. I asked him if there was a Swedish expression for when you slap your forehead after realizing a big mistake, and he said they would probably just use the English word "facepalm".

So now I'm curious: are there other languages that do have colorful or unique words or idiomatic expressions that mean something similar to "facepalm"? I'd love to have a few choice examples in my vocabulary.

So, nu?

[L-A]

Excellent question. As far as I know, there is no word I commonly use that would convey the same meaning in French. There is a plethora of funny expressions, but not for this very purpose.

[warwick.hoy]

I consulted my Webster unabridged dictionary copyrighted 1979 and facepalm was not in there. I can only assume that it entered our language as a result of idiotic posting in discussion forums (not a dig at this thread) and probably hasn't made it into the lexicon of those not plugged in to discussion forums.

[sarcastro83]

Thanks to the Simpson's, I've heard the phrase "D'oh!!!" used in four different countries...

[metallicafan18]

German somewhat has one similar and it is "Jetzt wir haben ein(e?) Salat.

Which translates to "Now we have a salad"

Basically it just means we messed up and now we are screwed.

[Relic]

Kurwa mać in Polish. (Koor-va motch) It's a sort of all purpose term that you can use in a facepalm situation, you see or do something stupid and say "kurwa mać" while slapping your forehead, but can also make a great f-bomb sorta phrase when you smash your toe on a door frame etc etc. OWWW!!! KURWA MAĆ!!!!
There's really no direct translation for it but it has something to do with the "wh" + ore word.

[cdef]

Originally Posted by bongomania

... when you slap your forehead after realizing a big mistake ...

I always assumed "facepalm" referred to symbolically covering your face with both hands in deep embarrassment (for yourself or someone else).

[bongomania]

Yes, or with one palm. I was leaving room for interpretation of a range of face-on-hand exasperations.

[iamlowsound]

I usually just say absolutely dirt in Norwegian. What it sounds like in English can't be posted on this forum.

lowsound

[guitarchaser]

Don't have anything for non-English as I don't speak any other languages, but an alternative I use is *headdesk* which I actually physically do at work...but more in a frustration way for the idiots I'm surrounded by.

[WickedPissah]

Originally Posted by metallicafan18

German somewhat has one similar and it is "Jetzt wir haben ein(e?) Salat.

Which translates to "Now we have a salad"

Basically it just means we messed up and now we are screwed.

German's got a lot of funny expressions. My teacher told me once that a German expression for when something's really good translates to "super monkey good". My favorite two fun expressions come from Swiss German. When something's good you say "king", and when something doesn't matter you say "wayne".