Word of the Week

• Word of the Week: Sonnenwendfeier

  Many Germans – like the Scandinavians – celebrate the Sonnendwendfeier, an annual midsummer festival marking the summer solstice, or longest day of the year (on June 20 this year). The…

  June 18, 2021

• Word of the Week: Sommerloch

  Although it may at first sound like a reference to a refreshing riverside swimming hole, a Sommerloch (“summer hole”) actually refers to something entirely different – the dearth of “real…

  June 15, 2021

• Word of the Week: Katzengold

  Ever gone panning for gold? Probably not, but if you have, be careful not too get too excited when you find Katzengold! Literally translated, Katzengold means “cat’s gold”, but it…

  June 1, 2021

• Word of the Week: Hüftgold

  Many of us may be  carrying a few extra pounds around the middle, and in German there’s a nice word it: Hüftgold! Directly translated, Hüftgold means “hip gold”, and it…

  May 18, 2021

• Word of the Week: Bierernst

  If you’re trying to express how serious you are about something, what word would you use? In German, you would say you are bierernst (“beer serious”). No joke! Or is…

  May 4, 2021

• Word of the Week: Stein im Brett

  Let’s pretend your coworker surprised you with your favorite Starbucks drink during work. How do you feel about her? Most likely, he or she is now on your good side. Germans…

  April 21, 2021

• Word of the Week: Eiertanz

  Have you ever wondered what to do with any leftover colored Easter eggs you don’t plan on keeping for next year or are unable to eat anytime soon? How about…

  April 6, 2021

• Word of the Week: Tortenheber

  What do you use to lift up a piece of pie and place it on a plate? A Tortenheber, of course! It seems that Germans have a word for everything,…

  March 16, 2021

• Word of the Week: Verdauungsspaziergang

  What do you do when you ate too much? You go on a Verdauungsspaziergang, of course! A Verdauungsspaziergang is a walk that you take to get you moving and help…

  March 10, 2021

• Word of the Week: Geborgenheit

  The German word Geborgenheit is difficult to translate, but it encompasses a range of feelings that make it a powerful word. A translation dictionary might describe Geborgenheit as “feelings of…

  February 24, 2021