For many foreign residents, learning German is essential for work – but the tax office doesn’t always see it that way. As a result, language lessons often fall into a confusing grey area when it comes to claiming deductions.
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.
'Fronleichnam' is celebrated as a public holiday in eight German states (and two other regions) on Thursday June 4th. We explain its origins where it's observed.
Going to the gym in Germany can test your language skills as much as your fitness. Here’s our guide to the phrases you need to work up a sweat, talk reps and explain injuries – without accidentally ending up back at school.
People who are dating love to talk about their hopes and fears and people who aren't love to hear about them. Here’s our guide to the German phrases you need to know to get in on the dating conversation.
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.
Looking to learn German without spending a cent? From flashcard apps to online courses and video series, here are the best free online resources to help you build up your language skills.
Have you ever made a phone call and frozen when the other person’s voicemail picked up? You’re not alone. This guide will help you feel more confident when leaving voicemail messages in German.
If hay fever is already making you miserable, the last thing you need is confusion at the pharmacy counter. Here’s a practical guide to allergy medication in Germany – and some helpful phrases for asking for it.
Buying a property is always a major undertaking – and even more so when you’re attempting to do it in a foreign country. We look at the key phrases you need to know in Germany, and what you can expect.
When someone dies, it’s hard enough to find the words in English – let alone in German. If you’re learning the language, these simple phrases can help you express your condolences with confidence.
Watching German-language movies and series can be one of the most fun and entertaining ways to improve your language skills. Here are a few to check out.
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 Germany restricts access to state‑funded integration courses, we spoke to one non‑profit organisation which says it is ready to step in with free language lessons for migrants looking for work in the country.
After Germany quietly decided to restrict access to integration courses, an expert explains who will be affected and why that's a problem for the whole country, not just immigrants and refugees.
Germany may have a reputation as a monoglot country, but step inside people's homes and a different picture emerges. New figures show that bilingual and multilingual life is an everyday reality for millions of families in the country.
"Helau!" "Alaaf!" "Narri-Narro!" These are some of the different 'fools' calls' from across Germany. Wherever people celebrate Carnival (or Fasching, or Fastnet), you hear the shouts. But where do they come from, and what do they mean?
Germany has confirmed plans to restrict access to integration courses, citing rising costs and a desire to focus spending on migrants likely to stay long term. Around 130,000 people could be affected – and the consequences could go much further.
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.
Having gained a strong command of the German language in his seventeen years in the country, columnist Tom Pugh suggests there are still words he struggles to pronounce and sounds he can't differentiate between.
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.
Formal and often replaced in everyday conversation, the German genitive case can seem like a relic from a bygone era for many English speakers. Yet understanding it remains a key step towards speaking with more fluency and sophistication.
Putting up a Christmas tree is one of the better known traditions among people who celebrate the holiday. Find out how Germans carry out this tradition.
