About @GermanyinUSA
GermanyinUSA is the home of the monthly newsletter “Germany for Americans”, produced by the German Embassy in Washington, DC. For the embassy’s official website, visit Germany.info.

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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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…
-
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,…
-
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…
-
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…