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This Is How German Letters Sound Posted by Sten on Dec 12, 2019
When you learn a new language, it is sometimes hard to get the pronunciation just right. You’re met with a blank stare, the native has no clue what you’re trying to communicate. Sure, you could try describing it, but what if you know the word, know how it’s written, but just not really how to…
The Curiosity of the German Word “Orange” – Part 2 Posted by Sten on Dec 5, 2019
Last week, I talked about the curiosity of the German word “Orange”, since the pronunciation of the word differs when you refer to the color or the fruit. See the post for that. But there is something else curious about this word, or well, a related one (thanks Allan for the comment!). This little addendum…
The Curiosity of the German Word “Orange” Posted by Sten on Nov 28, 2019
German has some quirky words, and that’s what we explore in this series. Today, we’ll have a look at the word Orange. Nothing curious, it seems, right? Wait until you hear how it is pronounced… Click here for previous entries in the series on curious words in German Orange or Orange? Listen to the clips above…
St. Pauli – What’s up with this infamous German neighborhood? Posted by Sten on Nov 21, 2019
St. Pauli. You may have heard of this Stadtteil (district) in Hamburg. It is berüchtigt (infamous) and known all over Germany. But why? What’s so special about St. Pauli? FC St. Pauli The first reason is the Fußballverein (football club) FC St. Pauli that’s from this Stadtteil. While the name suggests that this is a Fußballverein only, it is much more. With…
How Germans Trick Or Treat Quite Differently Posted by Sten on Nov 14, 2019
Last Sunday, I was having dinner with my brothers and sisters. Since winter nears, it was already pitch black outside – and suddenly the doorbell rang. Who’s that? My brother opened the Tür (door), young, high Stimmen (voices) began to sing, and we looked at each other in horror – we forgot the Süßigkeiten (candy)!…
How UFO’s Streik Affects Thousands of Germans Posted by Sten on Nov 7, 2019
Since a few hours, hundreds of thousands of Passagiere (passengers) are waiting at Flughäfen (airports) for their flights – Lufthansa cancelled a lot of them today and tomorrow. Because of a Streik (strike) of UFO. Who’s UFO and why are they doing this? Let’s find out. What’s going on? The Unabhängige Flugbegleiter Organisation (UFO) e.V. (independent steward organisation…
German Sayings + Expressions 26: Geister! Posted by Sten on Oct 31, 2019
Finally, Halloween is here! But do you want to use some ghostly sayings and expressions? Then you’re in the right place! Where I looked at the word Geist last week, we now use it in a Sprichwort (saying) and an Ausdruck (expression). Let’s go! For older posts, please follow this link. Der Geist ist willig, aber das Fleisch ist schwach Literally: The spirit…