German - You Already Speak It!
German words are simply a part of American life. In fact, there are times when a German word describes best what we wish to say. To demonstrate this, we’ve put together a few scenarios that highlight the use of German words in the English language:
When wanderlust strikes like a blitz, and you grab your rucksack, put the leash on your dachshund, and head off to the hinterland.
While listening to a concert by the latest wunderkind, during which you politely refrain from talking, because it is, of course, strictly verboten.
While enjoying eating coffee cake with streusel or chocolate torte and drinking a hot cup of coffee, for which there is no true ersatz, at your weekly kaffeeklatsch.
As you stand in awe of the yoga-meister whose flexibility you find so über-cool while you struggle so much with your own poses.
After you discover your car is kaput, which ruins your plans to zigzag across the city to shop at the antique shops in search of kitschy collectibles. You certainly don’t want to have to schlep that stuff on foot.
When you meet up with friends for a pils or lager at the local rathskeller or beer garden to discuss the latest news or simply soak up the zeitgeist.
After encountering your doppelgänger on the street while walking your child to the local kindergarten leaves you feeling like you’ve seen a poltergeist.
After sneezing when someone cheerfully wishes you, “Gesundheit!” Or at the ball game when you order a brat with sauerkraut or a pretzel. Or any other scenario you can imagine...
Definitions and Audio
There are many German words that have found usage on this side of the Atlantic. But do know what they actually mean and how they are pronounced?
Read more about it:
“From ‘Kaffeklatsching’ to ‘Wischi-Waschi"– when German Words Take a Trip around the World” on the Goethe-Insitut website:
“From ‘Kaffeklatsching’ to ‘Wischi-Waschi"
The Association for the German Language’s “Word of the Year” list for 2008 includes American President Barrack Obama’s famous line, “Yes, we can,” in English. There is also a list of “Non-words of the Year.”
Wort des Jahres (in German)
![[Logo Auswärtiges Amt]](/images/logo.gif){kind=logo}
