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Sayings + Expressions 15 – Die Sau! Posted by Sten on Jan 22, 2018
Sayings and expressions! It’s been quite some time, so let’s have some fun with two today – related to the Sau (sow). The Schwein (pig) and the Sau (sow) in particular have widespread meaning in the German language. So this post might get a follow up! Let’s start today – beginning with the expression! Check here for previous posts in this series…
Will You Get Lucky In 2018? Posted by Sten on Jan 18, 2018
It is 2018, a new year! That not only means setting new year’s resolutions and goals, but it also means wishing people a happy new year, and wishing each other luck. How? Find out. Frohes neues! 1. Ich/Wir wünsche(n) viel Glück und Erfolg im neuen Jahr! I/We wish good luck and success in the new year!…
Munich, What’s Going On With These Bikes?! Posted by Sten on Jan 5, 2018
A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure to visit Munich. The weather was nice, the city is beautiful… Fun times. But there was one thing I just could not wrap my head around… What’s up with all these bikes? oBike Aluminum frames and yellow-black paint. A little wire basket at the front. And the…
Heiligabend – Christmas Eve in Germany Posted by Sten on Dec 25, 2017
It is Christmas morning! Frohe Weihnachten (Merry Christmas)! Today is the day that Jesus Christ was born. And it means waking up to presents, because Santa was there, too! But not so in Germany. Kids and adults wake up on December 25 without presents to unwrap. Do they not receive and give presents during Christmas? Oh…
A Strange Tradition: Soester Wippen Posted by Sten on Dec 14, 2017
Every country has its traditions, whether that is Krampus, Oktoberfest, Richtfest, or Maibäume. Some regions also have their very own traditions. And one of these, I want to discuss today: The Soester Wippen. Rocking stairs of punishment The Soester Wippe is a rocker with stair steps in the city of Soest. It was used as a means of humiliating punishment from the 14th up…
What’s up with those e’s? The Dehnungs-e Posted by Sten on Dec 12, 2017
Last Friday, we discussed the Dehnungs-h and how it was quite a curious, unnecessary concept in German. Today, we look at the Dehnungs-e, a concept that does pretty much the same thing, but is much less widespread. Other than after an i, it feels strange to many Germans as well. One famous example of such strange application of…
What’s up with those h’s? The Dehnungs-h Posted by Sten on Dec 8, 2017
If you studied German, you have probably come across irregularities that really make you wonder why they exist. As a German growing up with the language, I never really questioned it… Until I saw the dehnungs-e. For example, you write Soest, but you say Soost, so you elongate the o and mute the e. Odd! Though when looking into it, I…