German: Word of the Week - die Bibliothek

Here is Christina again with your German word of the week!

This week:
die Bibliothek / library
 
A "Bibliothek" is an organized collection of books. Universities, for instance, have usually great "Bibliotheken"!

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Ich lerne gerne in der Biblithek. / I like to study in the library.
In der Bibliothek muss man leise sein. / You have to be quiet in the library.
Es gibt so viele Bücher in der Unibibliothek! / There are so many books in the university library!
Die Bibliothek ist heute geöffnet. / The library is open today.
Kommst du mit mir mit in die Bibliothek? / Will you come with me to the library?



Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - der Frühling

Here is Christina again with your German word of the week!

This week:
der Frühling / Spring
 
"Frühling" is the first of the four seasons: "Frühling, Sommer, Herbst und Winter."

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Ich liebe die Frühlingszeit! / I love spring time!
Der Frühling ist die schönste Jahreszeit. /  Spring is the most beautiful season.
Frühlingsblumen duften gut. / Spring flowers smell good.
Die Vögel singen im Frühling. / The birds sing in spring.
Bald ist Frühling! / Soon it will be spring!

Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - Silvester

Here is Christina with your German word of the week!

This week:
Silvester / New Year's Eve

  
"Silvester," which translates into English "New Year's Eve" (or Hogmanay in Scotland), is on the last day of the year, on Decemeber 31st. Germans celebrate "Silvester" usually starting in the evening together with fiends and family. Many people drink sparkling wine at midnight and watch or light fireworks to mark the new year.

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Ich liebe Silvester! / I love New Year's Eve!
Ich feiere Silvester immer mit Freunden. /  I always celebrate New Year's Eve with friends.
An Silvester essen wir oft Fondue. / We often eat fondue on New Year's Eve.
Wir sehen uns das Silvesterfeuerwerk an. / We watch the fireworks on New Year's Eve.
Wo wirst du Silvester dieses Jahr feiern? / Where are you going to celebrate New Year's Eve this year?



Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - der Adventskranz

Here is Christina with your German word of the week!

This week:
der Adventskranz / the Advent wreath

  
The "Adventskranz," which translates into English as Advent wreath, is a Christian tradition that symbolizes the passage of the four weeks of Advent, the time before Christmas. It is usually a horizontal evergreen wreath with four candles. The first candle is lit on the First Sunday of Advent. An additional candle is lit during each subsequent week until, by the last Sunday before Christmas, all four candles are lit.

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Unser Adventskranz hat rote Kerzen. / Our Advent wreath has red candles.
Unser Adventskranz ist auf dem Wohnzimmertisch. / Our Advent wreath  is on the living room table.
Wir kaufen unseren Adventskranz Ende November. /  We buy our Advent wreath at the end of November.
Wir machen unseren Adventskranz selber. / We make our Advent wreath ourselves.
Heute zünden wird wieder eine Kerze auf dem Adventskranz an. / Today we light another candle on the Advent wreath.



Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - der Fasching

Here is Christina with your German word of the week!

This week:
der Fasching / the carnival

  
Fasching is the German word for carnival. There are many regional differences concerning the  duration, and activities of the carnival in the German-speaking countries of Germany, Switzerland and Austria. In Cologne, where the festivities are the most elaborate, the official beginning is marked on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of the year, i.e. on the 11th of November at 11:11am, and Fasching ends on Ash Wednesday.

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Ich liebe Fasching! / I love carnival!
Fasching ist die 5. Jahreszeit in Deutschland. / Carnival is the 5th season in Germany.
Ich feiere Fasching mit meinen Freunden. /  I celebrate carnival with my friends.
Fasching mach viele Spaß! / Carnival is a lot of fun!
Im Fasching kannst du viele verschiedene Kostüme sehen. / During carnival, you can see many different costumes.



Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - der Biergarten

Here is Christina with your German word of the week!

This week:
der Biergarten / beer garden

  
Biergarten translates into English as "beer garden." It is an outdoor area in which beer, other drinks, and local food are served.  Beer gardens originated in Southern Germany (especially Bavaria) and are most common there but they can be found all over the world.

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Es gibt viele Biergärten in Süddeutschland. / There are many beer gardens in Southern Germany.
Ich gehe gern in den Biergarten. / I like to go to the beer garden.
Die Bedienung im Biergarten ist sehr nett. /  The waitress is very nice in the beer garden.
Mein Lieblingsbiergarten ist in München. /My favorite beer garden is in Munich.
Lass uns in den Biergarten gehen! / Let's go to the beer garden!



Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - das Gespenst

Here is Christina with your German word of the week!

This week:
das Gespenst / the ghost

  
Gespenst translates into English as "ghost" - sometimes known as a "specter," "phantom," "apparition," or "spook." Another German word for "Gespenst" is "Geist." In traditional belief and fiction, a "Geist"  is the soul or spirit of a dead person or animal.

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Hast du Angst vor Gespenstern? / Are you afraid of ghosts?
Ich habe noch nie ein Gespenst gesehen. / I have never seen a ghost.
Gespenster sind gruselig. /  Ghosts are spooky.
In diesem Haus wohnen Gespenster. / Ghosts live in this house.
Ich bin ein Gespenst! Buh! / I am ghost! Boo!



Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - die Torschlusspanik

Here is Christina with your German word of the week!

This week:
der Torschlusspanik / the fear of diminishing opportunities as time passes

Torschlusspanik literally translates into English as "gate-closing panic." It is the fear that time is running out to act, specifically in regard to finding the right partner for life. Torschlusspanik also refers to the anxiety of a childless woman who would like to have children as she approaches middle age, knowing that she must soon get pregnant or lose the opportunity... the ticking of the biological clock.

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Du bist noch zu jung für Torschlusspanik! / You are still to young for Torschlusspanik!
Torschlusspanik ist ein schlechter Ratgeber. / Torschlusspanik is a bad adviser.
Meine Schwester leidet unter Torschlusspanik. /  My sister suffers from Torschlusspanik.
Ich hatte noch nie Torschlusspanik. / I have never had Torschlusspanik.
Klaus hat Ursula nur aus Torschlusspanik geheiratet. / Klaus only married Ursula out of Torschlusspanik.


And here is a link to an interesting German article about "Späte Torschlusspanik" ("Late Gate-Closing Panic"):

http://www.focus.de/gesundheit/gesundleben/partnerschaft/beziehung/tid-15839/midlife-crisis-spaete-torschlusspanik_aid_444483.html



Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - der Ohrwurm

Here is Christina with your German word of the week!

This week:
der Ohrwurm / the catchy song, the haunting melody


Ohrwurm literally translates into English as "earworm." It is a colloaquial German word for a catchy song or tune. An "Ohrwurm" is a piece of music that continually repeats through a person's mind after it is no longer playing.

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Das Lied ist ein echter Ohrwurm! / The song is really catchy.
Oh nein! Jetzt habe ich einen Ohrwurm. / Oh no! Now I have a song stuck in my head.
Was für ein Ohrwurm! / What a catchy tune!
Jetzt habe ich einen nervigen Ohrwurm. / Now I have an annoying stuck in my head.
Im Radio spielen sie heute einen Ohrwurm nach dem anderen. / In the radio, the are are playing one catchy tune after the other today.


The German band "The Wise Guys" have a great song about what it means have an "Ohrwurm."




And here is another very cute song about an "Ohrwurm." Careful though, this little melody might get stuck in your head...




Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - der Fernseher

Here is Christina with your German word of the week!

This week:
der Fernseher / the TV


Fernseher literally translates into English as "far away seer." It is the German word for television set. A television set (also called a television, TV set, TV, or "telly" in British English) is a device for the purpose of viewing television.

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Oh, nein! Der Fernseher funktioniert nicht! / Oh, no! The TV is not working.
Die Nachbarn haben einen neuen Fernseher gekauft. / The neighbors bought a new TV.
Ich hätte gern einen Flachbildfernseher. / I would like to have a flat-screen TV.
Die neuen Fernseher sind sehr teuer. / The new TVs are very expensive.
Du solltest einen gebrauchten Fernseher kaufen. / You should buy a second-hand TV.


The famous German comedian Loriot made a great cartoon about a broken "Fernseher." Enjoy!





Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - die Hauptstadt

Here is Christina with your German word of the week!

This week:
die Hauptstadt / the capital city


A Hauptstadt, which literally translates into English as "main city," is the capital city or capital town (or simply the capital). It is the municipality enjoying primary status in a state, country, province, or other region as its seat of government.

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Die Hauptstadt von Deutschland ist Berlin. / The capital of Germany is Berlin.
Lass uns in die Hauptstadt ziehen! / Let's move into the capital!
Meine Schwester wohnt in der Hauptstadt. / My sister lives in the capital.
Viele Leute möchten in der Hauptstadt leben. / Many people would like to live in the capital.
Ich liebe die Hauptstad! / I love the capital!


Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - das Märchen

Here is Christina with your German word of the week!

This week:
das Märchen / the fairy tale


A Märchen is a specific type of story that often features fantasy and magic. Typical fairy tale characters are for example princesses, witches, and dwarfs. The most famous German "Märchen" are the Kinder- und Hausmärchen (the Children's and Household Fairy Tales) of the brothers Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm.

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Kannst du mir ein Märchen vorlesen? / Can you read a fairy tale to me?
Ich liebe die Märchen der Gebrüder Grimm! / I love Grimms' Fairy Tales
Mein Lieblingsmärchen ist Schneewittchen. / My favorite fairy tale is Snow White.
In diesem Märchen gibt es eine Hexe. / In this fairy tale, there is a witch.
Die Märchenprinzessin ist sehr schön! / The fairy tale princess is very beautiful!



Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - der Blumenstrauß

Here is Christina with your German word of the week!

This week:
der Blumenstrauß  /  the bouquet of flowers

A Blumenstrauß is a bunch of flowers and makes a great gift for many occasions. 

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Dieser Blumenstrauß ist sehr schön! / This bouquet of flowers is very beautiful!
Ein Blumenstrauß ist ein großartiges Geschenk. / A bouquet is a great gift.
Ich habe eine Blumenstrauß zum Geburtstag bekommen. / I got a bouquet for my birthday.
Meine Mutter liebt Blumensträuße! / My mother loves bouquets!
Der Blumenstrauß braucht Wasser. / The bouquet needs water.


Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - der Liegestuhl

Here is Christina with your German word of the week!

This week:
der Liegestuhl  /  the deck chair

Liegestuhl literally translates into English as "lying chair" but the correct translation is "deck chair" (or "sunbed" in British English). It is a folding chair meant for leisure, usually with a frame of treated wood or other material. Abroad on vacation, Germans like to put their towels on a "Liegestuhl" to reserve it - a habit which is not always looked upon well by fellow tourists from other nations.

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Ich habe uns zwei Liegestühle reserviert. / I reserved two deck chairs for us.
Liegestühle sind sehr bequem. / Deck chairs are very comfortable.
Alle Liegestühle sind besetzt. / All deck chairs are taken.
Die Liegstühle stehen beim Pool. / The deck are at to the pool.
Ich liege in der Sonne auf meinem Liegestuhl. / I am lying in the sun on my deck chair.


Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - die Feuerwehr

Here is Christina with the German word of the week!

This week:
die Feuerwehr  /  the fire fighters

The Feuerwehr literally translates into English as "fire defense." Most of Germany's fire fighters are members of the Freiwillige Feuerwehr, i.e. voluntary fire brigades.

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Ich bin bei der Feuerwehr. / I am a fire fighter.
Die Feuerwehr hat rote Autos. / The fire fighters have red cars.
Ruf die Feuerwehr! / Call the fire fighters!
Die Feuerwehr löscht das Feuer. / The fire fighter extinguish the fire.
Ohne die Feuerwehr wäre unser Haus verbrannt! / Without the fire fighters, our house would have burned down.

Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - der Kühlschrank

Here is Christina with the German word of the week!

This week:
der Kühlschrank  /  the fridge

A "Kühlschrank" is a common kitchen appliance used to store food at low temperatures to keep it fresh. The compound noun literally translates into English as "cool cabinet." The correct translation though is "refridgerator" (or "fridge").

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Ich habe einen neuen Kühlschrank gekauft. / I bought a new fridge.
Der Kühlschrank ist voll. / The fridge is full.
Meine Mutter taut gerade den Kühlschrank ab. / My mother is defrosting the fridge.
Ist das Licht im Kühlschrank immer an? / Is the light in the fridge always on?
Bitte mach den Kühlschrank zu! / Please close the fridge!


Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - die Taschenlampe

Here is Christina again with the German word of the week!

This week:
die Taschenlampe  /  the flashlight

A "Taschenlampe" is a hand-held portable electric-powered light source. The compound noun literally translates into English as "pocket lamp." The correct translation though is "flashlight" (or "torch" in British English).

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Meine Taschenlampe ist kaputt. / My flashlight is broken.
Die Taschenlampe brennt nicht mehr. / The flashlight does not work anymore.
Ohne Taschenlampe kann ich nichts sehen. / Without a flashlight I cannot see anything.
Ich kann dir meine neue Taschenlampe leihen. / I can lend you my new flashlight.
Du kannst die Taschenlampe im Dunkeln benutzen. /You can use the flashlight in the dark.


Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - das Handy

Here is Christina with the German word of the week!

This week:
das Handy  /  the cell phone


"Handys" are very popular in Germany just like all over the world, and almost everybody has one. Since word "Handy" sounds English, some Germans assume that it is the correct English word for "cell phone." So, do not be surprised when a German asks you for your "handy number."

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Ich habe ein neues Handy gekauft. / I bought a new cell phone.
Ist dein Handy ein Smart Phone? / Is your cell phone a smart phone?
Mein Handy is kaputt. / My cell phone is broken.
Mein Freund spielt immer mit seinem Handy / My boyfriend is always playing with his cell phone.
Er surft mit seinem Handy im Internet. / He surfs the internet with his cell phone.


By the way, the German term "Handy" has nothing to do with the Smurf named "Handy." To avoid confusion, the name of this particular Smurf in German is spelled with an "i": "Handi." You can also call him "Bastelschlumpf" ("handicraft work smurf").

Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - die Schokolade

Here is Christina with the German word of the week!

This week:
die Schokolade  /  the chocolate


"Schokolade" is a delicious sweet food made from cacao beans and milk. Some of the best chocolate in the world comes from Switzerland.

Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Isst du gerne Schokolade? / Do you like chocolate?
Alle lieben Schokolade! / Everybody loves chocolate!
Meine Lieblingsschokolade ist dunkle Schokolade. / My favorite chocolate is dark chocolate.
Ich mag keine weiße Schokolade. / Ich mag keine weiße Schokolade.
Ich liebe auch heiße Schokolade! / I also love hot chocolate!


Chocolate is so popular in Germany that there are even songs about it, for example "Schokolade"  by the new German band Deine Freunde:





Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross

German: Word of the Week - das Kuscheltier

Here is Christina with the German word of the week!

This week:
das Kuscheltier /  the stuffed animal


A "Kuscheltier" is a cuddly toy! I am sure you all had one when you were little. There are many different kind of "Kuscheltiere" but the most famous one is probably the teddy bear (der Teddybär).


Here are some examples of how you can use this word:

Hast du mein Kuscheltier gesehen? / Have you seen my stuffed animal?
Dein Kuscheltier ist in der Waschmaschine. / Your stuffed animal is in the washing machine.
Ich habe ein Kuscheltier gewonnen! / I have won a stuffed animal!
Peter liebt sein Kuscheltier. / Peter loves his stuffed animal.
Mein Kuscheltier heisst Teddy. / The name of my stuffed animal is Teddy.

Let us know what you think! Connect with us @C_LaCross