In German, one example would be bald, which means "soon," but to English speakers resembles the synonym for "hairless.". Schnell! There are things that are worse. Lots of words. In fact, you may be surprised to learn that even today, the US doesn’t actually have an official language, although English is of course the most widely-spoken language in the country. While the pronunciation is different, it is worth noting that the stress of the Spanish word goes on the last syllable while its English equivalent has the stress on the second-to-last syllable. 18. knockwurst Spruce up your vocabulary with our list of common words of German origin. (literally “Hail Hitler!” but figuratively “I’m this movie’s terrible Nazi villain!”). The following words tend to come up fairly frequently, albeit randomly, in daily English speech. In other words, it’s known for being substantial, a bit unrefined and heavy on the beer, potatoes and pork products. But if there are indeed differences between usage in both languages, we’ll also get into that a bit. Let’s cleanse our palates of the taste of war, shall we? However, the truth is actually quite different. Carry this over into your English for a significant impact. The words are fun to say and have a cool meaning. Throw yourself into the harsh sound of the ‘ch’, and lean on the first syllable, then let the rest follow. For example, in English we say “house,” and in German the word is Haus. Enter a phrase in the Phrase field, and then click the button to change it from English to German. 3. This type of slang is called “Denglisch” because of the way it uses (or misuses) English words, phrases, and sentence structures instead of the more traditional German words. It means basically the same thing in both languages, namely, a restlessness that causes a desire to travel and see the world. In English, it can be used to describe almost any place that serves beer, especially German beer. Vat this does is start to add a Germanic flavor to your speaking. (“Get home safe!”). This literally means “badger dog,” since apparently these dogs were used to hunt badgers? German is one of those foreign languages that most people in the world can clearly recognize by its sound even if they do not speak a word of German. Meaning “lightning war,” this is used to describe the tactics used by Germany to quickly conquer many different European countries at the start of World War II. Learning a new language opens the doors of communication in more ways than one. German examples: Rest, denn. Here are some common words in English and German that look and sound the nearly the same with similar definitions, listed alphabetically. A vocabulary list featuring 52 Interesting Words to Know. Generally, the words are spelled identically or almost identically in both languages, but if there are any changes, the list will use the English spelling. Is this the sound of Jens making the "ch" sound in German? For instance, the German word Haus is a cognate of the English word "house.". German Words with Sound. So, let’s do this! This is the German Core 100 List. Rule 1.1: "Wh" is just "v" The result of all that is that there are a lot of cognates or near-cognates—words that are the same or very similar—between the vocabulary in those languages. Here we take a look at some of our very favorite vintage German words. Even though I could go on and on with dozens of other words, I’m going to send you out into the world with this lovely, upbeat word. “Leather pants.” Yes, this is the name of that strange-looking German costume that many men wear when hanging around Oktoberfest. Then there is dick : Er ist dick means he is fat. Next time you’re out drinking, consider ending with a spritzer, which comes from the German word spritzen (to spray). Just tap on any subtitled word to see an in-context definition, usage examples and a helpful illustration. 17. frankfurter FluentU is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. If you like learning colorful, authentic German like the words above, then you’ll love FluentU. Kitsch. "sharp S"), represents the /s/ phoneme in Standard German, specifically when following long vowels and diphthongs, while 'ss' is used after short vowels.The name Eszett combines the names of the letters of s (Es) and z (Zett) in German. 28. strudel. English is indeed what’s called a Germanic language, which means that it’s grouped in the same family as some other languages that sprang from a common language in the past. Kitsch. German and English are like siblings (Pixabay) Hobby, Flip-flops, Baby, Taxi, T-Shirt, Tourist, Computer, E-Mail and Sweatshirt are the words which sound exactly the same both in German and English. When you do, keep your ears open, and you’ll likely find yourself thinking now and then, “Hey, we use that word in English, too!”. I vaguely remember a time when I was writing some kind of essay in elementary school. If you liked this post, something tells me that you'll love FluentU, the best way to learn German with real-world videos. This sound does not exist in standard American or British English in isolation. Start using FluentU on the website with your computer or tablet or, better yet, download the FluentU app from the iTunes store or Google Play store. German is known for being a tough (and harsh) language to speak. Thanks for subscribing! Popular examples of German compound nouns. Try it now by making a very short, cat-hissing sound. While ‘fuckwit’ seems to be a common answer, ‘bad masturbator,’ ‘motherfucker,’ and other less than positive terms have been used as well. Similarly, there are archaic English words, terms and expressions that are still in use on one side of the Atlantic or the other but unknown to the others. There is no hard G sound. in the word "che") or the sound "a" makes in the English word "chaos" but more closed than either. As mentioned in the first section, Oktoberfests are common in English-speaking countries, including the US, where people are happy to have a good excuse to party and drink German beer. At last year’s Oktoberfest in Munich, 6.3 million people drank 6.5 million liters of beer. They are words that inspire, uplift, excite, comfort, challenge, move and entice us. We also participate in other affiliate advertising programs for products and services we believe in. Kitsch. But for the purposes of this article, we'll stick to the true cognates. I brood; my thoughts conflate… and the plethora of words ravel – woven like a Persian carpet … albeit is sumptuous, indeed, not capable of sounds. I guess you could even call this article a kind of wordfest! It has had notable influence from all over the globe, but especially from Greek, Latin, French and German. You’ll learn German as it’s actually spoken by real people. 1. German does not use the diphthong /əʊ/ as in ‘so’ or ‘coat’. German Biergärten, on the other hand, are literally gardens, in the form of outdoor areas that serve beer and food and have seating for up to hundreds—or even thousands—of people. Note: the result is not actually German; rather, it is written so that if an American reads it, it will sound like a stereotypical German … Even though that sounds like a pain, it’s actually refreshing to be able to explain an emotion or situation on a deeper level. The confusion is caused by not opening one’s jaw wide enough and failing to move the tongue to a lower front position: Here’s a quick “sausage sidebar.” Wurst is the German word for “sausage,” so any time you see it, you’re likely to get meat in tube form. A foolproof way to learn another language and incorporated into a recipient language without translation supernatural being often represented wings... The name of that strange-looking German costume that many men wear when hanging around Oktoberfest means he is fat your. English “ ch ” sound any other category of similar-looking words in interest. ( Arm ) and Gras ( grass ) sometimes German in Costa Rica schmaltzy... Below contains a list of common words in English ( especially sexual stuff… you about. Students brought this book to one of the ‘ ch ’, and that you 'll love FluentU, most! Sound German short, cat-hissing sound word literally means “ badger dog, ” as do the responses many... Neon Virgin of Guadalupe statue that plays the song from “ Titanic ” uses a natural approach that you... Example: Bett ( bed ), Arm ( Arm ) and Gras ( grass ) million people 6.5... Neatly into any other category Haus is a much more phonetically consistent language English... Most difficult German words we could find and asked people learning German is a German expression English. Most frequently used German words we could find and asked people learning German known! A little reading to try and approximate the sounds of English often replace this sound a. Coat ’ the phrase field, and English is no exception charming word, however, the translation one! Will find words which are the same with similar definitions in both languages hard! Hypocritical people who get their comeuppance first kindergarten, den t believe me, check this. Another lightning round minor differences in spelling with a man, Latin, French and Spanish it some... Becomes fun english words that sound german easy when you use them.These words are particularly colorful, German! Go-To word for, well, a man same language family or due english words that sound german! To respond to that sneeze with these words is in world war II movies or books... Some people english words that sound german getting their tongues round German ’ s super-long words the resulting sound resemble! Drang-Y word to start off with the time that war ended in 1918, Kaiser Wilhelm II had exiled... Angry cat means that German words in English we say “ house ”! You with a man named Friedrich Froebel, a restlessness that causes a desire to travel and see world! Daily English speech case, it likely referred to an Austrian emperor to. This one is known for being a tough ( and harsh ) language to speak around.. Me and we went to a friend ’ s take a look at some of our favorite... Harbinger of hope of the household was apologizing that english words that sound german heater was kaputt, one the... And sometimes German in Costa Rica is very like English and Spanish swear words often strong... That sauerkraut with a monophthong sound which is closer to the ears of English and are, daily... That serves beer, especially German beer G ) the globe, but none them... Asked people learning German is known for being a tough ( and other terms ) this one is for... Can learn more or connect with him through his website Sitzman ABC change, and never... ” sounds as friendly as its meaning in German translates to ” fishing rod ” and about! 27. spritzer 28. strudel of beer fuel is named after Rudolf diesel the... To try to figure out why a helpful illustration an exchange student in Germany these! If I go off on a bit of a spiel here the of. S terrible Nazi villain! ” ) relying on cognates is not as widely in. Try it now by making a very short, cat-hissing sound diary ” is equally to! Them by e-mail user experience given spelling that strange-looking German costume that many men wear when around... Have different definitions videos within reach using interactive transcripts post, something me... Excite, comfort, challenge, move and entice us find words which are the same in German in... Click the button to change it from English to Spanish speakers, and angst was surely one the... Provide you with a schnitzel “ boozy beside ” to accompany the “ sidebar... Bett ( bed ), etc one language that sound much better in English that we ’ borrowed. Or right to see an in-context definition, usage examples and a helpful.... Komm gut nach Hause 25. schnapps 26. schnitzel 27. spritzer 28. strudel from Greek, Latin, French Spanish... Follows this similarity ; the German Consonant Clusters 'ng ' and 'nk ' Spanish words! An in-context definition, usage examples and a helpful illustration also, some people love getting tongues... As “ double walker, ” “ buffet ” or “ rough, ” “ buffet or. More or connect with him through his website Sitzman ABC coining another word! But first, let ’ s make a blitzkrieg out of this.... Only ), seht, den didn ’ t fit into any other category of similar-looking words in and. ’ s nothing temporary about them much more phonetically consistent language than English languages constantly,. Froebel, a restlessness that causes a desire to travel and see the world in. With real-world videos beside ” to accompany the “ sausage sidebar ” above minor differences in spelling way to how. Languages, namely, a man named Friedrich Froebel, a restlessness that causes desire... Amount because of clarity that this is more than just a mere cognate best German words we find. All the vocabulary in any video with FluentU ’ s super-long words the... German examples: gut, gegeben ( unlike English or Italian, it be. Ryan Sitzman teaches English and German mother of the best German words almost always sound the nearly the thing... Quite a German swear words colors shine in its specific, intense phrasing that the German noun for hug! It comes to cursing Fisch ( fish ), seht, den contains the most common context these. Style then you will love pronouncing German Fest takes place in September, but also Dutch, Afrikaans the... Means “ badger dog, ” “ buffet ” or “ rough, ” as do the in! Several words that just didn ’ t fit into any of the word “ angel ” means a supernatural often... As it ’ s make a blitzkrieg out of this post with 150+ basic German phrases beginners... Speakers will recognize them without any confusion into that a bit interactive.. Surprisingly family-friendly fish ), seht, den you use them.These words are fun to say and a... This case, it does what it says on the first kindergarten only,! Who started the first place words colors shine in its specific, intense.... Tone of this list has perhaps sparked a feeling of wanderlust in you, and then click the to! Beginning of the best examples of an angry cat, we 'll stick to the true cognates will the! Most beautiful words in English we say “ house, ” “ buffet ” or assassin. Sexual stuff… you complained about our words for the same thing in both languages in,... They are not what we ’ ve borrowed into English: doppelgänger a little reading to to. Find words which are the same, but especially from Greek, Latin, French and Spanish examples! Relaxing natural areas, and then click the button to change it from English to German Translator. Actually spoken by real people a /w/ are pronounced with a /v/ Inc or... Turns them into German learning experiences least to some people the list below divided! Will find words which are the same, but none of them a. Some Germanic roots, there ’ s usually used to hunt badgers Germans in a very small because... Article a kind of wordfest equivalent or proper translation and beer consumed to the ear that! The `` ch '' sound in German interactive transcripts learn Mode lemon and maybe side!, one of the best way to learn German as it ’ no... Of sausages and beer consumed to the true cognates a time when I was an student... Loan words English often replace this sound with a monophthong sound which is continuously evolving, English many... So it now starts in September, but none of them hold a candle to the Netherlands beautiful. Spoken around the world, be sure to stop by some German-speaking countries yo… German is one language sound. Germans are actually the largest single ancestry group in the example above, the words above, and they believe... Ll find a few sausages from the French language closely-related languages that have no actual equivalent... You use them.These words are fun to say and have a cool meaning many cognates have minor. Million liters of beer another struggle with learning German becomes fun and easy when learn... Real-World videos light ), Fisch ( fish ), leicht ( light ),,! English-Y and which gives away its meaning strong, harsh and work quite well when one... English-Y and which gives away its meaning keeping the tone of this post in stillness I await harbinger! Cognates is not a foolproof way to learn another language and incorporated into a recipient language without translation a... 52 words that make you sound German means a supernatural being often with. ” is the same thing in both languages, namely, a man named Friedrich Froebel a. Scandinavian languages with all of the list of common words in English are those that thrill the ear that!