Archive for 'Culture'
Talking about vacation in German, part 2 Posted by Sandra Rösner on Jul 19, 2012
In my yesterday’s post I already discussed how to talk about vacation or vacation plans. Now, I’d like to continue with this topic. Further expressions around the topic “vacation” are: 1. Urlaub machen – to take a vacation So, when you would like to know when someone is about to take a vacation you…
Asking about vacation plans in German Posted by Sandra Rösner on Jul 18, 2012
It’s vacation time in German and I guess most Germans would like to abscond from the country because the weather is really, really bad these days. It’s raining day after day. There already were sunny and very warm days in June but in the last past weeks it has only been raining. So if you…
German music and lyrics: Die Toten Hosen – Tage wie diese Posted by Sandra Rösner on Jul 18, 2012
On May 4 Die Toten Hosen (lit. The dead pants) released their latest studio album Ballast der Republik (The burden of the Republic), which is a kind of pun, referring to the Palast der Republik (Palace of the Republic) which was a building in Berlin in the former German Democratic Republic. Tage wie diese (Days…
Telling the time in German: The quarters of an hour Posted by Sandra Rösner on Jul 16, 2012
In my last post I discussed how to ask for the time and how to tell the time when it comes to full hours. Now I’d like to continue with the times between the hours. First you should know that there are regional differences how to tell the time in German. And the awkward thing…
Telling the time in German: Full hours Posted by Sandra Rösner on Jul 11, 2012
One stereotype of Germans is that we are punctual. Indeed, it is considered to be impolite in German culture to be late when you have an appointment with somebody. So whenever you are late it is always advisable to call or text the person you will meet and let him or her know that you…
European championship Posted by jan on Jun 14, 2012
Since a couple of days, the Europameisterschaft (European championship) 2012 is running in Poland and Ukraine. You might ask “Which sport?”. But if you are in Europe these days or if you know a little about European sports, there is only one answer: Fußball (soccer). Especially in Central Europe, people are crazy about this game…
Pfingsten in Deutschland – Pentecost/Whitsun in Germany Posted by Sandra Rösner on May 28, 2012
It’s holiday these days in Germany. We celebrate Pfingsten (Pentecost). Pentecost or Pfingsten is a Christian holiday, which is celebrated on the 50th day of the Osterfestkreis (Easter season), that is, the 49 days after Ostersonntag (Easter Sundsay). Pentecost is also called ‘the birthday of the Church’. So, it is a kirchliches (ecclesial) holiday and…