German has more than one special word for the practice of taking a day off to make the most out of public holidays that fall close to a weekend. But which word should you use? That depends a bit on where you are.
Saying 'bitte' in response to 'danke' can become a reflex, especially for early language learners, but there are plenty of other expressions to use. Here are some more interesting ways to acknowledge thanks in German.
From closing a window to folding a stool, this German word has an intiuitive - and slightly onomatopeaic - meaning. But it also has another usage you'll want to know when making plans with friends.
German is renowned for its lengthy words. As you might expect, the most unwieldy ones can be found in the worlds of law and finance. We've trawled around to put together the most useful ones for you here (and we've included some just for fun).
Small as they are, those two little dots carry centuries of linguistic history. Mastering them is more than just a technical detail; it’s an important step towards speaking German with greater clarity and confidence.
As temperatures stay low around Germany, many newcomers will be reminded of just how long and bitingly cold the winter can be here. Learning how to talk about the frigid weather like a native is one way to make the experience more bearable.
This technical term has been named Germany's 'non-word' or 'ugliest word' of the year for 2025, with judges saying the way politicians use it is misleading.
Germany’s 'word of the year' is all about the brave new world we’re living in – and it’s arguably the most cheerful term to make it into top ten for 2025. So how accurately do this year’s chosen words capture the mood in the country.
Want to feel more festive while also improving your German? Writer Sarah Magill digs out some of the most beautiful (and fun) German-language Christmas carols.
Members of Germany's coalition government want to introduce a 10-year ban on naturalisation for anyone who tries to qualify for citizenship using a forged language certificate.
Germany is on course to abolish a fast-track path to German citizenship that requires C1 level language skills and exceptional integration. We spoke to a foreign resident in Berlin who raced to improve her German to apply before it's too late.
From 'an' to 'zer', we break down what those pesky prefixes mean, and show that they're not as hard to master once you start seeing the patterns in them.
There are a few different routes to German citizenship. As the rules have changed, here's a guide to what level of German you'll need to have for four broad paths to citizenship.
Whenever you're having an off-day and struggling to get a grip on things, it may be handy to have this German word in mind - that is, if you can remember it.
If you drive in Germany, you’ll be familiar with that sinking feeling you get in the pit of your stomach when you turn a corner – and see a tell-tale slip of paper tucked beneath the windscreen wipers of your car.
Germany is known for being a land obsessed with insurance coverage. But do you really have to be insured in case you damage someone else's property? We break down the very long word and culture of Haftpflichtversicherung for foreigners.
You may think fancy vocab is the only way to impress your friends in German, but these quirky noises could actually be the key to sounding like a local.
