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The Curiosity of the German Word “Geist” Posted by Sten on Oct 25, 2019
In Spuktober (Spooktober – we don’t actually say that in Germany, but I guess I’ll go with it anyway), you hear all kinds of Halloween-related words. Also in Germany! Yet there is one specific word in Germany that is kind of curious – let’s have a closer look at the word Geist. Click here for previous entries in…
How and Why To Write The ß in All Caps In German Posted by Sten on Oct 10, 2019
If you’ve been learning German, you’ve probably come across the weird symbols in German. From the Umlauts ä, ö, ü to the Eszett (ß). When it comes to großschreiben (capitalizing) these special symbols, it’s pretty easy with the Umlauts: Ä, Ö, Ü. But the ß? There’s more of a story than you might think! Let’s dive in. First of all, what would…
Don’t Let It Confuse You! – Gift Posted by Sten on Sep 27, 2019
All the way back in February, we discussed how the word “Chef” means quite something else in German than in English! Our reader Michael suggested the word “gift”. Now, you may also wonder what gift means in German. A dangerous one to confuse… Let’s check it out! For previous posts in this series, click here…
Everything is named after this 250 year-old German Posted by Sten on Sep 22, 2019
On September 14, last week, the Geburtstag (birthday) of one of the most important German Entdeckungsreisender (explorers) was celebrated. Seen as a “Vordenker für das 21. Jahrhundert” (pioneer for the 21. century), Alexander von Humboldt made remarkable Entdeckungen (discoveries) and made a mark on different scientific fields and well, naming things. Let’s have a closer look on the 250…
German Sayings + Expressions 25: Cooking Dangerously Posted by Sten on Sep 12, 2019
Germans like kochen (to cook). However, sometimes you have to be carefully what, or more aptly, who you cook! And there are Sprichwörter (sayings) and Ausdrücke (expressions) for this in German, of course. Let’s have a look! For older posts, please follow this link. We’re doing it differently today – we begin with the Ausdruck (expression)! Jemanden zum Kochen…
Neuschwanstein is 150 years old! And it has a surprise up its sleeve Posted by Sten on Sep 5, 2019
You’ve heard of this place. And you have definitely seen it, or a version of it. Schloss Neuschwanstein (Castle Neuschwanstein) is celebrating its 150th birthday today, on September 5. We say herzlichen Glückwunsch! But there’s more: it comes with a special Geburtstagsüberraschung (birthday surprise)! Grundsteinlegung Schloss Neuschwanstein is one of Germany’s most famous sights. With its märchenhafte (fairytale-like)…
How This One Night Changed Germany Posted by Sten on Aug 29, 2019
Last week, there was finally an Urteil (verdict) from the Landgericht Chemnitz (District Court of Chemnitz). Alaa S. was convicted of Totschlag (manslaughter) and gefährliche Körperverletzung (dangerous bodily harm) on Daniel Hillig and is to go to Gefängnis (prison) for neuneinhalb Jahre (nine and a half years) Haft (detention). They are going into Revision (appeal), claiming that the Beweis (evidence) is shaky. This Rechtsfall (legal…