My German Word of the Day
Common advanced German phrases include idioms and colloquial expressions like
“des Pudels Kern“ (the heart of the matter), “ins Fettnäpfchen treten“ (to put one’s foot in one’s mouth), and proverbs such as “Besser ein Spatz in der Hand als eine Taube auf dem Dach“ (a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush). For everyday communication, phrases like “Ich hätte gern…“(I would like…) and “Können Sie/Kannst du langsamer sprechen?“ (Can you speak slower?) are also essential for learners aiming for fluency.
Idioms & Colloquialisms
These phrases are common in native speech and convey deeper meanings beyond their literal translations.
- Des Pudels Kern– The core of the matter, the essential point.
- Ins Fettnäpfchen treten– To put your foot in your mouth; to commit a social faux pas.
- Ein Blitz aus heiterem Himmel– A bolt from the blue; something completely unexpected.
- Morgen! / Na?– A versatile greeting for “Hi,” “How are you,” or “What’s up?”.
- Das ist nicht mein Bier– “That’s not my problem” or “That’s not my business”.
Proverbs
These offer wisdom and are useful for making philosophical points or sharing life advice.
- Ich verstehe nur Bahnhof. – I don’t understand anything (literally, “I only understand train station”).
- Können Sie das bitte wiederholen? – Can you please repeat that? (formal).
- Können Sie bitte langsamer sprechen? – Can you please speak more slowly? (formal).
- Was bedeutet das? – What does that mean?.
- Ich weiß nicht. – I don’t know.
- In Ordnung. – All right / Okay.
- Macht nichts. – Never mind.
- Es tut mir leid, aber ich verstehe nicht. – I’m sorry, but I don’t understand.
- Sprechen Sie Englisch? – Do you speak English? (formal).
- Ich bin nicht sicher. – I’m not sure.
- Das ist mir zu kompliziert. – That’s too complicated for me.
- Wie sagt man das auf Deutsch? – How do you say that in German?.
- Gibt es eine deutsche Version davon? – Is there a German version of that?.
- Können Sie das für mich aufschreiben? – Can you write that down for me? (formal).
- Das ist sehr hilfreich. – That is very helpful.
Connecting & Expressing Opinions
16. Außerdem – Furthermore / Besides.
17. Deshalb – Therefore / For that reason.
18. Dennoch – Nevertheless / However.
19. Obwohl – Although.
20. Trotzdem – Nevertheless / In spite of that.
21. Einerseits… andererseits – On the one hand… on the other hand.
22. Meiner Meinung nach – In my opinion.
23. Ich bin der Meinung, dass… – I am of the opinion that….
24. Ich bin davon überzeugt, dass… – I am convinced that….
25. Es ist wichtig zu bedenken, dass… – It is important to consider that….
26. Ich stimme Ihnen zu. – I agree with you (formal).
27. Ich sehe das anders. – I see it differently.
28. Das ist nicht ganz richtig. – That’s not quite right.
29. Genau! – Exactly!.
30. Das stimmt. – That’s true.
Am Mittwoch gingen wir ins Spa. Das Spa hat Saunen, Kaltwasserbecken und ist ein schöner Ort.Ich saß in einer eiskalten Wanne und entspannte mich. Meine Frau rief mich in die Sauna. Sie hatte einen besorgten Gesichtsausdruck.Sie sagte, sie könnte sich das Handgelenk gebrochen haben. Wir müssen ins Krankenhaus.Um eine amerikanische Geschichte kurz auf Deutsch zu machen, sie hat sich das Handgelenk gebrochen.
Der unterscheid – the difference
Noch nicht-not yet
Das sind welche -there are some
Nervig – on one’s nerves
Die Feuchtigkeit- humidity
Herausgefunden =found out
Abbiegen =turn
Viereckige-Square
Mein Bein tut weh -my leg hurts
My Latest Posts
• • •
02/01/2025 and Forward
Papagei -parrot
Überraschen Sie mich -surprise me
Überraschen Sie mich -hurry up
• • •
- Waschbar -they wash their food and are bear like
- Ich habe viel zu tun
- Ins Blaue reisen” dream aimlessly
- “Einen Vogel haben” -to me crazy, not all there
- This fits somewhere
írgendwó - Gerne -willingly *
- Tut mir leid, ich habe mein Lieblingswort vergessen. “Schmetterling”
- Kuhlschrank – hol mir bitte ein Bier aus dem Kühlschrank (The cool cabinet)
- Geschirrklirren =the clinking of dishes
- Marchenhaft -fairy tale like
- Putzig – cute
- Erklarungsnot -need for explanation
- Schnapsidee – Booze idea was it
- Weltschmerz -world pain cause by Don Old
- Fernweh -wanderlust
- Reisenrad -Ferris Wheel
- Ungeheuer Monsters
- Bedeutet -means
- Frühstücksflocken – fruity Pebbles, breakfast cereal
- Ich Kundige – I quit. Ich mag meinen Job, aber ich möchte Vollzeit schreiben. -11/23/2024
- Herausfinden – (to find out) to spot sth. [discover]
to learn sth.
to detect sth.
to spy out sth.
to sift sth. out
to search out sth.
to come to know sth.
to come at sth. [discover]
to find out sth. [ascertain]
to figure out sth. [ascertain]
to work sth. out [figure sth. out]
to work out sth. [find the answer to sth.]
Quatsch
rubbish
Müll, Abfall, Schutt, Unsinn, Quatsch, Mist
nonsense
Unsinn, Quatsch, Blödsinn, Nonsens, Unfug, Zeug
baloney
Quatsch, Stuss, Geblödel
11/20/2024
Glucksbringer
Noun
Glücksbringer m (strong, genitive Glücksbringers, plural Glücksbringer)
11/19/2024
Bärenhunger
masculine noun
(inf)
einen Bärenhunger haben to be famished (inf) or ravenous(inf)
DeclensionBärenhunger is a masculine noun. Remember that, in German, both the spelling of the word and the article preceding the word can change depending on whether it is in the nominative, accusative, genitive, or dative case. For further information, see Collins Easy Learning German Grammar
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Language Courses
Many institutions, both online and in-person, offer German courses for levels B1 and above, including the
Goethe-Institut, Berlitz, and Lingoda. These courses can range from general language skills to exam preparation and are designed to help students improve their abilities in areas like conversation, grammar, and complex topics.
Online language courses
- Goethe-Institut: Offers online courses, including intensive super-intensive programs, with live group sessions and self-study options.
- Berlitz: Provides online options such as live online classes with a trainer and self-study courses.
- Lingoda: Has a structured curriculum that covers German levels B1, B2, and C1, taught by native-level teachers.
- Babbel: Offers a structured program with lessons and exercises designed to advance students from beginner to C1 levels.
In-person and blended learning
- Berlitz: Offers in-person classes at its language centers, as well as blended learning options that combine online and on-site components.
- Sprachenatelier Berlin: Provides both in-person and online courses, including general German at B1 and higher levels, and exam preparation classes.
- Goethe-Institut: Has centers worldwide that offer courses in person.
- DeutschAkademie: Divides the CEFR levels, including B1, into two modules for more focused learning.
Other options
- Germanic-American Institute (GAI): Offers “Intermediate” (B) and “Advanced” (C) classes for students who have completed lower levels.
- SmarterGerman: Focuses on an online self-paced learning plan that allows students to learn without time pressure.
The Side Effects of Endorphins 