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Aus vs. Von Posted by Sten on Jul 20, 2014
In German, the issue between von and aus is not a very prevalent one. But it can be confusing when learning German from English, since von and aus are both used for its English equivalent “from.” So, here is a clarification where von is used, and where aus is used in cases where they can…
Sayings + Expressions 2 – The Square and the Concept Posted by Sten on Jul 14, 2014
In this second post, we have another two! Let’s start off again with the saying. Das Runde muss ins Eckige the round (thing) must go into the square (thing) Very much football-related, and not very translatable to English, this saying has quite some background meaning. Of course, it talks about the football entering the goal, which it has to…
Sayings + Expressions 1 – the Will and the Thread Posted by Sten on Jun 23, 2014
Hi there! This is the first of some posts about great sayings and expressions in German. One of each every week. Many sound very wise in German. The language just helps you convey that wise, mysterious tone you want such sayings and expressions to have sometimes. Let’s start off with the saying! Wo ein Wille…
Language Listening Lesson – Freude für den Fußball Posted by Sten on Jun 19, 2014
I have already started this on the Dutch blog, where it was received quite well. I hope you will like the German version as well! A Language Listening Lesson (Triple L) consists of a German text, with translation and audio file to listen to it. That is the idea – you listen to it and…
The German you: duzen und siezen Posted by Sten on Jun 1, 2014
Yes, I know. There are German words that do not have a really good translation in (many) other languages, like Gemütlichkeit, Schadenfreude and Wirtschaftswunder. All nouns. What about the verbs? There are two quite handy ones, that you are likely to encounter the next time you visit the Germans. The verb duzen means, literally to you (informally) and siezen means, literally to you (formally). Nowadays…
Ballermann! The German way to celebrate life (for some)! Posted by Sten on May 30, 2014
The summer can be a party! In Germany, this Feiern (partying) can take very special, interesting forms. A very well-known form is Ballermann, a word combination of the words ballern, which is only used colloquially for drinking excessive amounts of alcohol, and the word Mann, which just means man. Probably this combination was chosen because ballern can rather be ascribed to men. This…
The Reinheitsgebot – what’s the story? Posted by Sten on May 28, 2014
The German Reinheitsgebot (Beer Purity Law) is not the oldest food law in the world. There are laws going back more than 3000 years before the Reinheitsgebot that concern food. The Law was introduced as a Landesverordnung (State Act) in Bavaria, and only in 1918 it was called Reinheitsgebot for the first time. Mostly, this…