Listado de la etiqueta: german language

Why you should absolutely attend Berlino Schule’s Summer School instead of lying on the beach

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The Summer School of Berlino Schule is the study trip you are looking for. If you choose to register for our classes, you will have the possibility to attend super-intensive courses of 5 hours per day (from Monday to Friday) for 2 weeks, in the lively and international district of Friedrichshain

Imagine a day hot as hell. You’re watching TV with your buddy lying on a sofa, while a fan is blowing on a mild breeze. Sweating buckets, pants glued on the pills… you would kill for a cold drink. Out of the blue, your buddy gets up, heading towards the kitchen.

– Fritz Kola oder Club Mate? – he asks while he opens the fridge. 

– Eh?!

– Trinkst du lieber ein Bier? –

The TV show you have been watching for hours starts talking in a strange way, it looks German…. What the hell is …

RIIING RIIING! WAKE UP, IT’S TIME TO LEARN GERMAN!

And that’s a Midsummer night’s dream, not a nightmare! Full immersion is the key to unlock the wonderful world of foreign languages, as you can immerge yourself into a new world, practice your skills, taste new food, discover new cultures. And how about doing this super exciting experience during the Summer, in a cool and buzzy city like Berlin? Keep calm and don’t dread the adventure, Übung macht den Meister as Germans say. It’s just practice that makes everything perfect. Close your eyes and imagine to bite a Berliner Pfannkuchen or Franzbrötchen for breakfast, then stroll along the Berliner Mauer, the biggest open-air gallery in the world. You can end up in a colourful Flohmarkt or enjoy a beer in one of the typical German Biergärten. 

Let’s chill out and enjoy our Summer School at Berlino Schule!

If you choose to register for one of our super-intensive courses, you will have the opportunity to attend German classes every day (from Monday to Friday) for 2 weeks, in the lively and international district of Friedrichshain.

That’s not all!

Students attending the courses at Berlino Schule will be offered the chance to join extra activities, related to the German language (i.e. cineforum, walking tours, museums, conversation activities, etc) for a total amount of 8 activities per course.

Price

230 €. In case you want to attend two superintensive courses, you will pay 440 instead of 460. 

Accomodation

Mission impossible? No panic! Berlino Schule has established some agreements with flats, hostels and hotels to make your studying holiday as easier as possible. If you are interested, you can contact the school and we will provide you with a list containing all the info you need. 

Book the whole package!

You would like to attend a super-intensive course, but it is rather difficult for you to find an accomodation? We can provide you with an a single room in some hotels just nearby Berlino Schule (15 nights) and you can have the chance to get 2 weekly tickets (AB zone). Ask for a price quotation!

The dates

Summer School courses will be held from the 8th of July to the 30th of August and will be every 2 weeks: 8-19 July, 22 July-2 August, 5-16 August, 19-30 August, every day, from 14:30 to 18:45. Here you can find the whole calendar. 

Summer School’s calendar

ROUND I

A1.1: 8 JULY-19 JULY (14.30 – 18.45)

A2.1: 8 JULY-19 JULY (14.30 – 18.45)

B2.1: 8 JULY-19 JULY (14.30 – 18.45)

ROUND II

A1.2: 22 JULY-2 AUGUST (14.30 – 18.45)

A2.2: 22 JULY-2 AUGUST (14.30 – 18.45)

B2.2: 22 JULY-2 AUGUST (14.30 – 18.45)

ROUND III

A1.1: 5 AUGUST-16 AUGUST (14.30 – 18.45)

B1.1: 5 AUGUST-16 AUGUST (14.30 – 18.45)

C1.1: 5 AUGUST-16 AUGUST (14.30 – 18.45)

ROUND IV

A1.2: 19 AUGUST-30 AUGUST

B1.2: 19 AUGUST-30 AUGUST

C1.2: 19 AUGUST-30 AUGUST

No time for super-intensive courses in the afternoon? Join our evening classes!

Our evening German courses last 8 weeks, for a total amount of 48 hours: classes take place twice a week (Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday), 3 hours per day, from 19.15 to 21.40.

Price: 240 euro + 20 euro registration fee

Our German evening courses – May/June

A1.1 6 MAY – 26 JUNE (MON and WED 19.15 – 21.40)

A1.2 7 MAY – 27 JUNE (TUE and THU 19.15 – 21.40)

A2.1 6 MAY – 26 JUNE (MON and WED 19.15 – 21.40)

A2.2 7 MAY – 27 JUNE (TUE and THU 19.15 – 21.40)

B1.1 7 MAY – 27 JUNE (TUE and THU 19.15 – 21.40)

B1.2 6 MAY – 26 JUNE (MON and WED 19.15 – 21.40)

Our German evening courses – July/August

A1.1 2 JULY – 22 AUGUST (TUE and THU 19:15 – 21:40)

A1.2 1 JULY – 21 AUGUST (MON and WED 19:15 – 21:40)

A2.1 2 JULY – 22 AUGUST (TUE and THU 19:15 – 21:40)

A2.2 1 JULY – 21 AUGUST (MON and WED 19:15 – 21:40)

B1.1 2 JULY – 22 AUGUST (TUE and THU 19:15 – 21:40)

B2.1 1 JULY – 21 AUGUST (MON and WED 19:15 – 21:40)

Our German evening courses – August/October

A1.1 26 AUGUST – 16 OCTOBER (MON and WED 19:15 – 21:40)

A1.2 27 AUGUST – 17 OCTOBER (TUE and THU 19:15 – 21:40)

A2.1 26 AUGUST – 16 OCTOBER (MON and WED 19:15 – 21:40)

A2.2 27 AUGUST – 17 OCTOBER (TUE and THU 19:15 – 21:40)

B1.2 27 AUGUST – 17 OCTOBER (TUE and THU 19:15 – 21:40)

B2.2 26 AUGUST – 16 OCTOBER (MON and WED 19:15 – 21:40)

Our German evening courses – October/December

A1.1 22 OCTOBER – 12 DECEMBER (TUE and THU 19:15 – 21:40)

A1.2 21 OCTOBER – 11 DECEMBER (MON and WED 19:15 – 21:40)

A2.1 22 OCTOBER – 12 DECEMBER (TUE and THU 19:15 – 21:40)

A2.2 21 OCTOBER – 11 DECEMBER (MON and WED 19:15 – 21:40)

B1.1 22 OCTOBER – 12 DECEMBER (TUE and THU 19:15 – 21:40)

C1.1 21 OCTOBER – 11 DECEMBER (MON and WED 19:15 – 21:40)

Look at our calendar to find out our German evening courses!

Info and registration 

For further information, contact us at info@berlinoschule.com or visit our website.

Are you still planning on spending summer on your sofa?

Berlino Schule 

Gryphiustr. 23, 10245 Berlin (nearby stations: Ostkreuz, Samariterstr.)

 030 36465765

info@berlinoschule.com

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How much do you know about German? 6 interesting facts about Goethe’s language

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Did you already know that German people can create more than 23 millions words with only 26 letters of the alphabet?! How much do you know about the German language? After reading this article, you will get a better idea!

How many people speak German as a native speaker?

The German speakers, namely those who speak German as first or second language, are almost 130 million worldwide. German is not only the official language in seven countries, but also one of the most spoken languages in the UE. A German-speaking minority (about 7,5 million people) lies scattered in 42 countries.

How many people study German as a foreign language?

289 million! According to some research led by the germanist Ulrich Ammon, almost 289 million people have decided to study German during their life. Can they speak German fluently? Who knows. That’s another kettle of fish. However, the current number of German learners is around 15,4 million, 90% of which are young students.

How many words does the German language have?

Well, far more than you might expect and German learners can confirm it. Mixing two or more words to create a new one is easy job for German speakers. Therefore, a true answer to this question does not exist. In 2013, a Berliner linguistic found 5,3 million words. Only four years later, the Duden editorial staff published a total amount of 23 million words (only basic forms). The result came up from a great collection of technical and literary works (4000 books). Not to mention that the latest Duden edition shows a shrunken amount of 145.000, but native German speakers tend to use only 12.000-16.000 words. 

Which words are the most frequently used?

  • Gold medal: DER, DIE, DAS (the determined articles, which German students should learn by heart in combination with the noun that follows)
  • Silver medal: IN, the preposition
  • Bronze medal: UND, the conjunction

Which is the longest word?

According to Duden, the German longest word is “Aufmerksamkeitsdefizit-hyperaktivitätsstörung”, that means “attention deficit and hyperactivity disorder” and boasts 44 letters.

What is the International Mother Language Day for?

Purpose of this commemoration is to celebrate the importance of language as a part of the cultural identity of a population, as well as to raise awareness about the risks languages are being exposed to, due to the globalization. Nowadays, almost half of the 6000 languages spoken worldwide are in danger. German is not one of them, yet several German’s dialects are about to disappear. In particular, the Atlas of the World’s Languages in Danger depicts the North Frisian and the Saterland Frisian as the most endangered languages within the German area. 


Photo: PourquoiPas Pixabay 

Party in Berlin? Then, you should learn these 10 typical German expressions

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Berlin is famous for its alternative and excessive night life as much as Hamburg and Cologne. The international newspaper Deutsche Welle points out some words we should know to get ready for a night out in the German capital city.

FEIERABEND

Ready for a wild night in town? First thing first, it’s important to be stress-free from work. And Germans have the right word to mean the end of a working day: Feierabend, which literally means “holiday evening”. Unless you are a professional DJ, not every day can end with a party. But every Feierabend, is a good chance to join one.

AUFBREZELN

After work, a pit stop at home is what you need to start your night in the best way. Especially if you’re planning to go to an elegant and chic party. In this case, you should “dress up to kill”. Aufbrezeln just means this. High heels and a touch of lipstick for girls and a fresh shirt for boys are the necessary requirements. You never know where the night will end up. You could meet someone interesting.

VORGLÜHEN

Going out in group can be both funny and cheap. Having a drink or maybe two or three with friends is a good excuse to break the ice. Vorglühen is the German word for this. German bier might not always be loved by everyone but you have to admit that after one or two bottles you feel your feet above the ground. And ready to conquer the world.

WEGBIER

If you take a bier with you before the party, you can call it Wegbier or “take away bier”. In Germany, drinking bier on the streets is legal, as long as you behave and keep yourselves together.

AFTER-WORK PARTY

The number of after-work parties is increasing in the last years. What seems to be a retirement party, it is an actual after work party.

TÜRSTEHER

If you are going to a chic area of Berlin and Hamburg, it’s necessary to pass the bouncers which in German are called “Türsteher”. It literally means “the one who stays at the door” and somehow, surveils it.

AUF EX

If your German friends tell you to finish your drink “auf ex”, you better be ready to what is going to happen next. It believed to come from Latin but there is no document to prove it. Although, the translation is clear: kill your drink in one sip.

DÄMMERUNG

It’s the moment between day and night. And between night and day. So the beginning and the end of the day in one word. And if it was a cool night, it’s more likely that it will finish in the Dammerung.

NACHTSCHWÄRMER

The moment between twilight and down is when the night owls come out from their caves, offices and houses and head to bars, pubs and clubs. In one hand, residents complain about the screams and noise in the night. But in the other hand, bars’owners and taxi drivers thank the NachtSCHWÄRMER for their contribute to the city’s finance.

KATER

The term has two meanings and somehow, a bit ambuguous. Kater is the German version of ‘male cat’ but it means ‘hangover’ as well. The feeling that everyone knows after a wild night out. Also, Kater, comes from the Greek word ‘catarrh’. Which seems weird. The right English word is Hangover but, anyway, who cares about the meaning? Especially after an amazing night.

 

Why on earth are there 15 ways to say meatball? All the possible variations of the most used words in German

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When deepening your knowledge of a foreign language, you will start to feel more comfortable about it, yet you will keep hearing words that are new to your “personal vocabulary”: there is still much to be done to achieve bilingualism. This is what usually happens with German, for instance, which not only is it harder for its syntax than other languages but it also has a wide range of vocabulary. You will feel discouraged to know that German has a wide range of words that can either vary according to their language register or to the region they belong to. If you have the intention of feeling part of the community, therefore, it is recommended to know, if not all of them, at least a few of the possibile variations of the most used words in German. A few examples listed below are concerning the local cuisine.

PANCAKES

If you happen to order some Pfannkuchen in Berlin, you won’t get the usual pancakes you might expect, yet jam-stuffed doughnuts! More broadly, there are 12 different ways to say “pancakes” in German. The Pfannkuchen is a calque of the English word which stands for the actual pancakes. However, in the area of Berlin it is more likely the hear Eierkuchen when referring to pancakes, while das Omelett is typical of Western Germany and die Omelette is commonly used in the area near Switzerland. People living at border with Poland and in Leipzig would call them Plinse or Plinz; Palatschinke in Austria.

GINGERBREAD MAN

Talking about desserts, there are 12 ways to say “gingerbread man” in German. Those typical Christmas cookies are called Lebkuchenmann in Eastern Germany, Munich, Berlin and Hannover; Weckmann o Weckmännchen  in South-Western Germany; Stutenkerl in North-Western Germany. In Austria it is commonly known as Krampus, a legendary creature that, during the Christmas season, punishes children who have misbehaved. In Stuttgart and Karlsruhe is Dumbedei. The several variations not only depend on the geographical area but also on the ingredients and spices used in the recipe. Spekulatius, from the Belgian Speculoos, is also a widepread way in Berlin to call those spicy cinnamon cookies.

MEATBALLS

When you first move to Germany, you will notice that most of the German cuisine is based on meat dishes: not only will you taste the well-known sausages but you will  also have the chance to try out the German meatballs, which you can easily find at any local store. Although the most widespread is Fleishkloß, there are actually 15 ways to say “meatball” all over the country: they call them Frikadelle in Northwestern and Central Germany or Fleishküchle in the southwest. In Dresden and Leipzig they are known as Klops o Kloß; Fleishaiberl in Austria. Lastly, Bulette or Boulette are typical of Berlin.

We highly suggest you keeping in mind a few of these terms listed above so that you can figure out what you are about to eat!

BREAD

Talking about variations of words concerning food, we need to mention one of the essentials of everyone’s diet: bread and, more specifically, the last chunk of a loaf of bread. This term has loads of variations in Italian, according to the region it is associated with, such as “cozzetto”, “cantuccio”, “gomito”or “culetto”. However, there are more than 50 variantions in German: Kanten, Anschnitt, Kipf, Ranft/ Ränftchen, Knorze, Knust, Rankl, Krust, Kirshte and so on. In Switzerland Anhau, Scherz, Mürggu, Mutsch, Chäppi, Houdi  are the most used, while Scherzerl  is typical of Southern Germany and Austria.

HICCUP

Let’s change topic! There are at least 25 ways to hiccup in German. The first word that might cross your mind could be either Schluckauf or Schluchzer. You might hear people say Hädscher in the south of Germany and in the areas bordering France; Schnackler is a typical Austrian variation instead; lastly, Hitzgi is characteristic of Switzerland.

SLIPPERS

It is an easy-peasy word which has a lot of equivalents in German. You can’t go wrong if you use the word Hausschuhe, which literally means “house shoes”. However, there are 10 ways to say slippers. Pantoffeln sounds like Italian (pantofole) yet it is not spread over cities like Berlin and Hannover, just like Schluffen mostly used in Frankfurt and in the state of Rhine. Bambuschen, again similar to the Italian “babbucce”, is frequently used in the east of Germany. Lastly, if you are in Switzerland you will be more likely to hear Finken.

10 German words that even native speakers fail to write

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When it comes to German, native speakers make mistakes as well as foreign people

Learning German is no easy task. Students often claim ironically: “Life is too short to learn German”. It can be true, in some ways. In fact, even Germans have troubles with their own idiom, and this may comfort us. In this connection, the popular magazine “Die Welt” has created a quick Quiz-test, with ten German words that even native speakers fail to write. 

1. Margerite

The meaning of this word is easy to understand: the daisy, (indeed!). The correct orthography of the word is Margerite; yet, Germans often write Margarite, Margharite, or Margarithe. As an interpretation, we may assume that they confuse the above-metioned word with real names, such us Margarete and Margarethe.

2. Mieze

Germans use this word to refer to little and cute cats (“kitty” in English) as well as to young women. As the diphthong “ie” is pronounced as a long i, and the Phoneme “tz” sounds like a z  in German, native speakers often end up with writing Mitze, Mize, Mietze.

3. Um Himmels Willen

Um Himmels Willen matches the English version “For God’s sake!”and raises doubts among native speakers, as well as among German language learners. Considering the fact that German has loads of compound words, it might happen to misunderstand two distinct words: Himmel willen and the single word Himmelswillen. The other issue is whether willen, which means to will, has to be capitalized like a normal substantive. 

4. Raffinesse

Raffinesse means both refinement and cunning/shrewdness. Perhaps beacause of its French origins, the word might put native speakers in trouble, overlooking one or even both the doubles.

5. Delinquent

The word, which is also an English term, has a Latin origin and this is probably the reason why German native speakers tend to fail writing it, by mistaking K and Q sounds, and adding a H.

6. Abwegig

Abwegig means “wrong, misleading”. German people often write this word with a Ä, which sounds like an open A. 

7. Algorithmus

It might happen Germans to substitute the I with an Y, Algorythmus. The mistake is perhaps due to the word Rhytmus (“rhythm” in English), which actually sounds similar.

8. Gefeit

Gefeit means “immune, invulnerable”. Native German speakers sometimes write it incorrect, by adding letters: gefeiht, geffeiht, or geffeitt.

9. Gemanagt

Gemanagt, which means to be organized and managed, is the past participle form of the verb managen. The past participle form of German regular verbs is formed by adding a -t at the end of the verb stem. However, managen comes from the English to manage and this derivation is what actually leads native speakers to confusion. In particular, the issue is whether to respect German language rules and consider it as a German verb, or to simply add the ending –ed to the verb stem, hence to preserve the English version.

10. Eigenbrötler

This word has a curious origin: it comes from an old dialect of the South-West of Germany. Eigenbrötler means literally, “who makes the bread himself”. It contains in fact the word Brot, which means bread. With this term, Germans used to indicate those people, living in nursing centers, as well as unmarried men taking care of themselves. The word has then assumed the meaning of “misanthrope, maverick, loner”. Commons mistakes? Wrong versions such as Eigenbrödler or Eigenbröthler.

Would you rather avoid mistakes whilst writing in German? Why don’t you attend one of our courses? Here you can find all the information you need!

 

4 reasons why you should learn German in Berlin right now (and improve significantly your CV)

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Studying German in Berlin means learning a key language and enjoying one of the coolest cities of Europe

Besides attracting for its beauty and coolness, the German languages is getting required in most countries, mainly for professional purposes. In fact, Germany is one of the first countries to import and export all around the world. Studying German represents, therefore, a new bulwark for people living in their own countries, as well as for those travelling abroad. Furthermore, by studying German directly in Berlin, you will surely get many advantages (by the way, Berlino Schule is offering new German courses. Why don’t you take a look?)

Four reasons why you should learn German in Berlin

1 Studying German in Berlin means learning much faster than in Italy

There is no better learning approach than combining theory and practice. What a better chance than studying right in the country in which the language is spoken? By learning German in Berlin (as well as in other cities in Germany), you will in fact put your linguistic skills in practice.

2 German is getting required in every country in the world

Just to make an example: Germany is Italy’s first trading partner. Except for Spain and Portugal, German sets itself as key language for the European trade. Besides that, Germans are also Italy’s most significant customers (39% of incoming tourists comes from Germany). It is therefore clear that a good knowledge of German may benefit you in any circumstances. The results? A more rewarding job and a higher salary. 

3 If you are willing to move to Germany, bear in mind that German is fundamental to find a job

Youth unemployment in Germany is relatively low. This implies great chances to find occupation in Germany. In particular, if supported by a good knowledge of German, it will be easier for you. No advanced level is necessary, though: many companies do not require it. Your German will naturally improve once you get on the spot. 

4 Berlin is still “The city of the moment”

Berlin is timeless: it reinvents itself every year without losing its everlasting charm. It also represents one of the most economical and bustling cities in Europe. Living and working in Berlin is simple and rewarding: public transports are extremely functional and well-organised and connect the whole city even during the night. 

4+1 Why studying German at Berlino Schule may help you settle down

Last but not the least. Berlino Schule can be a big springboard whether you want to settle down in Berlin. Our school, located in Berlin-Friedrichshain, provides you with qualified teachers, who have been teaching German for lots of years. Moreover, it has the best quality-price ratio, providing you with a proper language education, with qualified and German native teachers from just 4€/hour*. Not to mention that, if you are in need of an accomodation, we can help you find the right one for you.

Our German intensive courses

Berlino Schule offers two kinds of intensive course: afternoon and morning courses. Our next afternoon course is starting on 27th November. Classes will take place 4 times a week (from Tuesday to Friday, 14:45-17:15). The course will last four weeks, for a total amount of 48 hours.

Our intensive morning courses are starting on 3rd December at Berlino Schule and they will last 3 weeks, for a total amount of 48 hours: classes will take place 5 days a week (from Monday to Friday), 3 hours per day, from 8.45 to 11.25 or from 11.40 to 14.20.

Price: 192 euro + 20 euro registration fee

Our next German afternoon intensive course

A1.1 27 NOVEMBER – 21 DECEMBER (Tue-Fri, 14:45-17:15)

Our next German intensive courses

A1.1 3 DECEMBER – 21 DECEMBER (Mon-Fri 8.45 – 11.25)

A1.2 3 DECEMBER – 21 DECEMBER (Mon-Fri 8.45 -11.25)

A2.1 3 DECEMBER – 21 DECEMBER (Mon-Fri 11.40 -14.20)

A2.2 3 DECEMBER – 21 DECEMBER (Mon-Fri 8.45 -11.25)

B1.1 3 DECEMBER – 21 DECEMBER (Mon-Fri 11.40 -14.20)

B1.2 3 DECEMBER – 21 DECEMBER (Mon-Fri 8.45 -11.25)

B2.2 3 DECEMBER – 21 DECEMBER (Mon-Fri 11.40 -14.20)

Look at our calendar to find out our intensive German courses 

Our German evening courses

Evening German courses are starting on 7th or 8th December at Berlino Schule and they will last 8 weeks, for a total amount of 48 hours: classes will take place twice a week (Monday and Wednesday or Tuesday and Thursday), 3 hours per day, from 19.15 to 21.40.

Price: 240 euro + 20 euro registration fee

You can also join the evening courses, which have already started!

Our German evening courses starting from November

A1.1 6 NOVEMBER – 20 DECEMBER (TUE and THU 19.15  – 21.40)

A1.2 5 NOVEMBER – 19 DECEMBER (MON and WED 19.15h  – 21.40)

A2.1 5 NOVEMBER – 19 DECEMBER (MON and WED 19.15h  – 21.40)

A2.2 6 NOVEMBER – 20 DECEMBER (TUE and THU 19.15  – 21.40)

B2.2 12 NOVEMBER – 17 DECEMBER (MON and THU 19.15  – 21.40)

C1.1 5 NOVEMBER – 19 DECEMBER (MON and WED 19.15h  – 21.40)

Look at our calendar to find out our evening German courses 

 

 

The German language is becoming easier and easier thanks to foreigners

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The Germans and their language

Apparently, German people speak their language in a wrong way, grammatically speaking. The reason is quite simple: they want to simplify it. Mark Twain wrote in his book A Tramp Abroad: “A gifted person ought to learn English in thirty hours, French in thirty days, and German in thirty years.” It’s widely believed that the German language should be in a certain way renewed and refreshed. So, what’s going on with German? In 2008, two thirds of Germany’s inhabitants said that the quality of their language was becoming lower and lower: in fact, people tend to read less. Not to mention, the inexorable process of anglicisation.

Is Hochdeutsch disappearing?

The term Hochdeutsch refers to the most prestigious variety of German, the one without dialect and regional expressions. Needless to say, the spoken language – more flexible and open to cultural and linguistic transformations – easily removes the grammar’s barriers, typical of the written German. In the spoken German, not only the genitive case completely disappears, being replaced by different prepositions, but also word endings, concords and formal cohesion of the sentence inexplicably vanish. Grammatical structures of migrants’ languages, such as Turkish or English, tend to influence the language.

German and multilingualism

Language transformations are due to social changes: believe it or not, an increasingly growing process of immigration leads to a vast multilingualism. This actually means that the language is sensitive to social transformations and changes. In Berlin there are people from 189 different countries, and this contributes undoubtedly to the phenomenon of Multi Kulti Deutsch (multicultural German). There’s a good chance that “the systematic mistakes of today are the new rules of tomorrow”, as Rudi Keller, German linguist, states. To sum up, foreign languages affect inevitably national languages, and schools and universities should make aware of this kind of phenomenon.

Not only in Germany! 10 German words which are commonly used also in other languages

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The German language: not as foreign as we think

It’s a fact, that learning German is not easy at all. Anyone who wants to learn this language must deal with a complex grammar, the existence of three genres (masculine, feminine and neutral), the length of the words and the basic unfamiliarity of each sound. In order to make the learning of German easier, we may remember that many words from German are actually used globally as an important part of the common language. For example, look at the following terms: Müsli, Strüdel, Kitsch, Bunker or Realpolitik. As we can see, the Teutonic influence is quite obvious in many different fields: food, culture, military or politics. Now, let’s focus on the most commonly used worldwide German words:

Hinterland

Literally meaning “the land behind”, is a common word in English, French, Spanish and Italian. Hinterland stands for “backcountry” or “a remote area of a country away from the city centre influenced by economics, society and culture”. For example, in Italy we often hear of “hinterland milanese”.

Schadenfreude

Common word used in English to express “joy” or “satisfaction” for one’s misfortunes. The Italian translation is “gioia maligna”.

Kindergarten

Literally “children’s garden”, it can be used in English as a synonym of “nursery school”.

Zeitgeist

This is a worldwide term used to express “the spirit of the time”. The expression comes from philosophy to indicate the ideal climate, culture and spirit (considered as characteristic of an era).

Wanderlust

Literally meaning “desire of walking” is commonly used in English in order to express “the craving for travel”.

Leitmotiv

Literally “guiding reason” is a global word which indicates “a motif or constant aspect of a literary or musical work” but also of “activities, manifestations and different behaviours”. Apart from the musical field, it has also become common to others.

Wunderkind

In English “wonder/prodigious child”.

Doppelgänger

It means in English “body double/alter ego”.

Spiel

Literally “play or game”. This term is used in English with the meaning of “eulogistic speech” or “long and boring speech”.

Delicatessen

Commonly shortened in Deli in English, Delicatessen means “culinary specialities shop”. The German word Delikatesse, which stands for “deliciousness”, derives from délicatesse, or “delicacy”.

10 German words that every language should have

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They say that the language of a nations reflects its culture and mentality, even more so if there are words that can’t be directly translated in other languages.

 

These are precisely the most interesting words to study or observe with attention because they allow us to really grasp a different culture and norms. So here are 10 beautiful and intricate German words to learn:

#10 SCHILDERWALD

A forest of road signs. So many road signs that you’ll get confused by all the directions indicated and get lost.

#9 KOPFKINO

To have a mental movie going on. Well, to whom did it never happen? Imagining in our head the best and worst scenarios we would say.

#8 LUFTSCHLOSS

In English we would say “to build castles in the air”. Something desired, but far away from reality: a project or idea that can be hardly achievable.

#7 SCHNAPSIDEE

That crazy idea that you will get in a moment of absolute euphoria, at times caused by an excessive consumption of alcohol. Genius ideas that might reveal to be a total disaster or an acclaimed success.

#6 AHNUNGSLOSIGKEIT

The lack of knowledge, opinions, awareness. According to the context it might indicate being naive, ignorant or ingenuity.

#5 FINGERSPITZENGEFUEHL

An immediate awareness and empathy with our surroundings, that allows us to respond promptly and diplomatically.

#4 STREBEN

The origin of the term resides in the German romantic period, when this word indicated the detachment from everyday life to reach that intangible level of perfection. Today the term indicates the effort and determination required to fullfill one’s ambitions.

#3 GEBORGENHEIT

Most of the dictionaries translate this term simply as “certainty”. In reality there are many more nuances that go over and across the meaning of this word: an incredible combination of certainty, protection and intimacy derived from relations with others, in particular your family.

#2 VERSCHLIMMBESSERN

Making a situation worst in the attempt of making it better. Like trying to fix that bad haircut at home on your own..

#1 WANDERLUST

The desire to leave. That uncontrollable itch that makes you want to travel and explore the world, see new places and make new experiences.

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Are you getting intrigued by the German language or wish to refine your vocabulary? Then take a look at the German courses that Berlino Schule organizes! 

10 indispensable dialectal terms if you are in Bavaria

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A rich region, cities full of history, gorgeous forests, and beer flowing to rivers. These are just some of the reasons why a visit to Bavaria is a must. As a nice article by The Local recalls, Bavaria is a bit of a world in itself and, as such, it has its own specific language: Bairisch (or Boarisch, in Austro-Bavarian).

Incomprehensible to the profane – even those not fasting from Hochdeutsch, the German standard – Bavarian dialect is an indispensable element to live fully in Munich and the surrounding area. Here, there are newspapers and television broadcasts in Bairisch, which are sometimes hard to understand even for a northern German, and certain terms, at least the basic ones, can be useful for getting in touch with locals more easily. We chose ten of them, just to give you an idea.

 

Medieval greetings: Grüß Gott and Servus.

The Bavarians have their own way to greet each other. Forget the Hallo and Guten Tags that you learned in school and unlock the religious Grüß Gott, literally “greeting God”, but translatable as “good morning” or “hello”. Or, if you want some other feudal suggestion, you can use Servus, literally “slave”. A greeting formula that can be used even to say goodbye to someone.

 

Buam and Madln, ladies and gentlemen.

Sometimes you can find these two terms on the toilet door, and if you miss the pictures, you may get confused. So, better to know that Buam is used for men, Madln for ladies.

Dirndl and Lederhosen: the traditional clothes.

You will have seen them a thousand times, at the Oktoberfest or any in any stereotyped representation of Bavaria, but you never remember the precise name. Well, the Dirndl is the typical gown of the Bavarian (and also Austrian) ladies, while the Lederhosen (which, strictly speaking, is not a dialectical term) are the traditional leather pants worn by the young.

Fesch, or “attractive” or even “fresh”

It is the equivalent of the German standard hübsch. You could, for example, hear it in conjunction with Madl in a phrase like Ja mei, was für ein fesches Madl ! : “What a beautiful girl!”

 

Schmarrn, if someone says nonsense.

The Schmarrn (or Schmarren) is originally a dish (similar to a pancake) but, figuratively, it is also used as a derogatory expression, to mean “nonsense”, when someone is saying something unwise or fake .

 

The equivalent of oder: Gell.

As you may know if you have been living somewhere in Germany, Germans usually used “oder?” or more colloquially, “ne?” at the end of the sentence to stimulate the response of others. It is the equivalent of our “or not?”, “is not it?” Even in this case the Bavarians stand out, and their particle for this function is “gell”.

 

I mog di, or “I like you”.

f you are talking to a Buam or a Madln really fesch and want to declare it, you will need to use these simple words: I mog di, “I like you”. It will not be too hard to remember, given the similarity with the Hochdeutsch, Ich mag dich.

When you leave: Pfiat of.

Probably, in your opinion, you will be accustomed to the classic Tschüß or Hello. In Bavaria, they use as usual a formula that has a religious etymology: Pfiat of, which literally meant “God Protect You”. Anyways it is a nice way to say hello, right?

 

Give your consent: freilich.

Those who live in northern Germany, you will be used to give your consent or approval after a question by using terms like natürlich – of course – or selbstverständlich – obviously, of course. In Bavaria you will need to reset on freilich. A bit of patience.

 

Maß, the Bavarian beer unit.

To what do you think it equates to? One liter, of course. Do not try to get a beer below the Maß, or you might as well not drink at all.

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Are you getting intrigued by the German language or wish to refine your vocabulary? Then take a look at the German courses that Berlino Schule organizes!