German

German Literature Quiz: Test Your Knowledge and Conquer the Classics

Are you an avid reader who appreciates the exquisite beauty of German prose and poetry? Do you find yourself drawn to the works of iconic authors such as Goethe, Kafka, and Hesse? Delve into the rich and fascinating world of German literary classics and challenge your intellectual prowess with a selection of thought-provoking questions. Let’s…

German

Mastering German Word Order: An Absolute Beginner’s Guide

Have you ever felt like putting German words together is a bit like trying to assemble furniture without the instruction manual? You’re not alone! The topic of German word order may seem daunting at first, but once you understand core mechanics and principles, it gets a lot easier. The trick is to know what to…

German

German Conjunctions: The Glue That Holds the Language Together

Picture this: you’re a master puzzle-solver. In front of you is a beautiful, 1000-piece jigsaw puzzle of the German language. The vivid pieces are scattered all around: verbs, nouns, articles, pronouns and more—waiting for you to assemble them into a coherent whole. You’re starting to snap single words together, creating simple phrases, building up sentences…

German

23 Ways of Saying “No” in German Like A Native

Saying “no” is an integral part of any language. It allows us to express our feelings, opinions, and set boundaries. While “no” in English is simple and straightforward, the ways of saying “no” in German are rich and diverse, depending on the context and tone. This essay will explore the various ways to say “no”…

German

The Ultimate Guide to German Prepositions For Beginners

Introduction Learning German can be challenging, especially when it comes to grammar topics like prepositions. These little words can change the meaning of a sentence drastically, and in my experience as a German teacher, after declension and word order it’s one of the main topics beginners are struggling with. In this article, we will dive…

German

Lost in Translation: Navigating German-English Cognates and False Friends

The German and English languages have a lot of similarities that might surprise many people. The two languages have a shared history and ancestry that dates back to the Germanic tribes that inhabited Northern Europe centuries ago. The German and English languages are classified as West Germanic languages, which means they share a lot of…

Culture

17 Famous German Inventions That Shaped Our World

Have you ever wondered where some of the most brilliant inventions in our daily lives come from? In today’s fast-paced world, we often take for granted the objects that make our lives easier, more enjoyable, and more connected. How have German inventions influenced modern technology? Germany, the land of poets and thinkers, has long been…

German

A Graphical German Grammar

Scaling the craggy cliffs of Mount Grammar is a lifelong challenge for most German learners. And unfortunately there are no easy shortcuts. (Believe me, if there were, we’d have found them by now!) Many paths lead over this often frustratingly complex terrain. Which one to take? Where to start? Well, it all depends on your…

German

Learn German with Aesop’s Fables: Belling The Cat

Einmal hielten die Mäuse eine Versammlung ab. Sie suchten nach einem Plan, um sie endgültig von ihrem Feind, der Katze, zu befreien. Zumindest wollten sie wissen, wann sie kam, damit sie Zeit hatten wegzulaufen. Es musste wirklich etwas getan werden, denn sie lebten in solch ständiger Angst vor ihren Klauen, dass sie kaum noch wagten,…

German

Language Learning Is Dead, Long Live Language Learning!

“In the future, noone will have to learn languages,” my grandpa said and adjusted his ski goggles. “With the help of technology you’ll one day be able to speak and understand every tongue on earth.” We were inching our way up over a steep ridge deep in the French Alps, the chair lift swaying and creaking in…

German

Basics of German: A Brief Introduction to the German A1 Level

Alphabet Basic Phrases Number System Intro to German Grammar Self-introduction Are you considering learning German? If so, you are probably looking for resources to introduce you to the language. Whether it’s for personal reasons, because you are going to work in Germany or because you have to take the Goethe German A1 Test, it’s important…