Did you know that Germany's 'summer fairytale' got underway exactly 20 years ago? Here's what you need to know about this intriguing word and cultural moment.
This bizarre-sounding expression is the go-to phrase for Germans faced with the impossible. Master it, and you’ll have the perfect phrase for mocking the unrealistic expectations that plague us all.
This cheerful German expression has nothing to do with cooking – and everything to do with the oddly charming things people call each other when luck strikes.
From references to illicit substances in German rap music, to describing dramatic moments in sports, or as the action word for loud noises, you might be surprised how many ways this word can be used.
From bargain-fuelled shopping sprees to euphoric match-day highs, Germans have a neat way of describing those moments when life briefly feels louder, faster and more intense.
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.
If you happen to be travelling on the roads over the long weekend in Germany – or indeed through a city at rush hour – you need to know how to use this word.
In the long list of German insults, this is a personal favourite of ours. Here's why you may need to bring a 'troop of cucumbers' to your everyday conversations.
You know the feeling when someone else’s success somehow leaves a bitter taste? German has a precise, slightly chilly word for that particular kind of resentment – and it’s surprisingly useful.
Ever called customer service hoping for a small miracle? Perhaps because you missed a deadline and now your fate is in the hands of a stranger on the other end? This German word captures exactly what you need in that moment.
Have you ever had the urge to talk with Germans about turning on, tuning in and dropping out? Today’s word is for everyone who has ever toyed with the idea of leaving it all behind.
This German word doesn’t mean what you think it does. Forget nuts and bolts – it’s a sneaky label for someone with a wandering eye and zero shame.
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.
Have you ever forgotten your brolly when it rains and had someone tell you it’s your own fault? Here's a common German phrase that crops again and again around those everyday 'oops' moments.
Your beginner level German textbook probably taught you another word for all the things in your closet, but in day to day conversation you'll often hear this word instead.
Waiting for a declaration of love from your German partner? You may hear a different phrase, at least in the initial stages of your relationship. Here's what you need to know.
Have you ever spotted a figure who seemed to come straight out of an old painting – with wide trousers, slouch hat and a staff – walking along a country road? If so, then you may have glimpsed one of Germany’s wandering journeymen and women.
Perhaps you know a sportsperson at the top of their game, or you have a friend who's just really, really good at something. Here's the German you need to describe these people.
Would you like your German friends to see you as someone who knows how to appreciate the finer flavours in life? Here’s a gem of a word that will elevate your vocab from basic to bon vivant.
Christmas markets, Glühwein, Stille Nacht – it's enough to bring out the Christmas Grinch in anyone. But how do you talk about being grumpy at Christmas in German?
