• Reasons to learn the German Language –
• How long does it take to learn German?
• How to learn the German language?
• German Culture
• Funny German Words
• German Idioms
• German Slang
• German Food

Q.Reasons to learn the German Language.

 Reasons to learn the German Language – 

Earn with German 

• The highly developed German market ranks number one and has the largest national economy in Europe. 

• Germany is the world’s second largest exporters dealing with Machinery, chemical products and motor vehicles. 

• World’s renowned companies and co-operations such as Mercedes-Benz, Audi, Volkswagen, Porsche, and Siemens are all Germany-based. 

• Germany is a major investor in the United States with over 10 billion direct investments.  

• The country is a trade powerhouse with a robust economic growth and promising future prospects. 

• Find lucrative job opportunities in the field of medicine and healthcare, education, logistics, power and utility, automobile, mass media, entertainment, technology and outsourcing. 

• Top MNCs such as Amazon, Accenture, Oracle, Thomson and many others look for employing German language experts for outsourcing and offshore work . 

Think and grow with German 

• You will find some of the most cherished and revered writers and philosophers in the German language including Goethe, Brecht, Marx, Nietzsche, and Kafka, of Mann, Brecht, and Grass. 

• Some of the brightest minds from varied fields including sciences, literature and psychology, hailed from Germany, such as Einstein, Freud, Heisenberg, Hegel and Weber. 

• German plays a vital role in Global Information Production, with 18% of world’s books, 235 newspapers and titles and 6484 scholarly journals being published in German language. 

• It is the gateway to world class higher education. Over the years, Germany has become the prime choice for foreign students willing to pursue a higher education. 

• German is the second most commonly used scientific language of the world. 

• Some of the most important works of philosophy, engineering, medicine literature, music, art, history, theology, physics and psychology are written in the German language and continue to be produced in it. 

Did you know? 

• Germans are world leaders in engineering. 

• Germany is renowned for winning the maximum number of Nobel Prizes. You would be surprised to know that 22 Nobel Prizes in Physics, 30 in Chemistry, and 25 in Medicine have gone to scientists from the three major German-speaking countries, while many laureates from other countries received their training in German universities. 

• Eleven Nobel Prizes in Literature have been awarded to German-language writers, and seven Germans and Austrians have received the Peace Prize.

• You would be surprised to know that Germany has the maximum number of native speakers in the European Union. 

• It is the ten most commonly used spoken languages in the world. It is also a lingua franca for Central and Eastern Europe. 

Did you know that there are many similarities between English and German. Both the languages have the same parent. For example, look at these words:

Haus = house, Buch = book, Finger = finger, Hand = hand,

Name = name, Mutter = mother, schwimmen = swim,

singen = to sing, kommen = to come, blau = blue, alt = old,

windig = windy.

Germany has produced the world’s most revered filmmakers of the 20th century from Rainer Werner to Fritz Lang, Wim Wenders, Fassbinder along with the new generation writers, Fatih Atkin and Tom Tykwer.

Q. How long does it take to learn German?

Learning German might seem like a daunting task, especially if you are speaker of non-Indo-European family of languages. Langma School of Languages strives to help our students with expert guidance and hands-on learning experience. It is true that German is considered one of the most complex languages in the world but still you need not be discouraged even if you are not a native of the Indo-European family of languages. 

Well, if you are wondering if there are any shortcuts or any specific time-saving methods to learn German then fret not! We have come up with some tried and tested in this guide that will help you progress faster. You need to be consistent with the language to ace it. Learning a new language is not a piece of cake, it requires a lot of patience and persistence on the learner’s side. 

Remember to take one step at a time. If you just try and keep your focus at it then gradually you will see the results for yourself. Learning German might take different amount of time depending upon the various factors such as your ability to grasp the language and its phonetics, the prior experience, your resilience, the guidance that you receive, the right amount of motivation and the time that you spend every day to master it. However, if you practice your language skills on a daily basis for at least a period of three to six months, then most probably you will be able to conduct daily conversations and speak fluently. 

Your ability to learn might vary from the others. Some people might need more time than the others. However, if you do wish to speak and write German fluently then it’s probably going to take a few years of practice and diligence. So, our advice is that you get started as soon as possible.

Q. How to learn the German language?

Learning German might seem like a daunting task, especially if you are speaker of non-Indo-European family of languages. Langma School of Languages strives to help our students with expert guidance and hands-on learning experience. It is true that German is considered one of the most complex languages in the world but still you need not be discouraged even if you are not a native of the Indo-European family of languages. 

Well, if you are wondering if there are any shortcuts or any specific time-saving methods to learn German then fret not! We have come up with some tried and tested in this guide that will help you progress faster. You need to be consistent with the language to ace it. Learning a new language is not a piece of cake, it requires a lot of patience and persistence on the learner’s side. 

Remember to take one step at a time. If you just try and keep your focus at it then gradually you will see the results for yourself. Learning German might take different amount of time depending upon the various factors such as your ability to grasp the language and its phonetics, the prior experience, your resilience, the guidance that you receive, the right amount of motivation and the time that you spend every day to master it. However, if you practice your language skills on a daily basis for at least a period of three to six months, then most probably you will be able to conduct daily conversations and speak fluently. 

Your ability to learn might vary from the others. Some people might need more time than the others. However, if you do wish to speak and write German fluently then it’s probably going to take a few years of practice and diligence. So, our advice is that you get started as soon as possible. 

How to learn the German language? 

Here are a few ways that can help you can learn German easily,

• Find the right reason that keeps you motivated. 

• Begin with the fundamentals of the German language, the alphabets and pronunciation. 

• Create a study plan and stick to it. 

• Keep the learning sessions fun and interactive by incorporating slangs, cultural facts and idioms in the curriculum. 

• Practice on a daily basis and speak regularly. 

• Converse with native German speakers for fluency. 

Experts recommend that strengthening the basics might help you ace the language. So, if you’re struggling with the idea of where to begin from then we would recommend that you start with the alphabets and their pronunciation. As it is, the German language has 26 letters similar to English, however the pronunciation is quite different from that of English. Follow the table below for a clearer understanding. 

 

Un-winding the grammar of German language 

For most people, the grammatical structure of a language is like a nightmare! Grammar is the most arduous task for most learners. Every language has its own sets of rules, regulations, syntax and lexicon. Grammar does set the foundational knowledge for the language, so it is important to set the right foundation by understanding the grammar. For instance, the German language has six tenses: Prasens, Präteritum, Perfekt, Plusquamperfekt, Futur I and Futur II.

• Präsens relates to the Present tense in English,

• Präteritum relates to Past tenses,

• Plusquamperfekt relates to Past Perfect,

• Futur I relates to the Future tense,

• Futur II relates to the Future perfect plus “will” and “have”.

The relations mentioned above are in no way entirely accurate or complete in their relevance. However, it will make it easier for you to begin understand the grammar of German language. The tenses have four cases in this language: Nominative, Accusative, Dative and Genitive. Here’s a tricky thing about this language that many people have mentioned before- 

• German has three noun prepositions for each gender: die (for feminine nouns), der (for masculine nouns), and das (for neutral gender). This means that with every new word that you might learn in this language, you will have to understand which preposition comes in front of it. It might be a little confusing in the beginning as the biological gender may not match with the grammatical gender. There are also certain rules determining which noun gets which article with its exceptions. 

• The 16 forms that “the” of English takes on German in different cases and gender.

There are many such rules but fret not because gradually, with time you will be able to memorize all of them. You will get into the habit of understand it and at Langma School of Languages, we help you with the best faculty, study material and proper guidance to help you understand these convoluted topics. Gradually, you will progress and these grammar fundamentals will soon start making sense to you. 

German Phrases and Expressions. 

Starting a new language might seem like a daunting prospect and being bogged down with tons of grammar rules and regulations might discourage you. So, make sure not to make language extremely complicated while just starting off. 

Remember to enjoy the learning process and make it a joyous experience. Therefore, at Langma School of Languages, we include some interesting and intriguing things in the curriculum that grabs the attention of the students, and keeps them motivated. 

It’s really important to reward yourself for the little achievements, so it’s better to start with something easy such as daily expressions like Hello, or daily conversations. It will not only boost your self-confidence but also make you feel that you have learned something. Here are a few basic German expressions and daily greetings that might help you get started. 

How To Say The Following in German

Q. German Culture

Germany has a rich cultural history and tradition. It has had a varied cultural history, fraught with complications. Its history has shaped the predominant Christian values with its great literature, art, philosophy, logic and reason. It has always been the land of intellectuals and philosophers. The German influence has not only shaped the culture of the old continent of Europe but the entire world. 

Germans tend to place punctuality as a high priority. They love their discipline and order of structure and you would often find Germans quite thrifty, sensible and respecting to one’s privacy. They are all strict rule followers and they tie a lot of importance to the notions of family and community. This sense of order is specifically maintained in the German business culture and ethics. 

German culture has been shaped over thousands of years. It was originally a pagan country, and then an important seat of the Holy Roman Empire. It was also the birthplace of the Protestant reformation. Today, Christians, Catholics, and Muslims coexist happily in Germany. 

        

They are renowned in the world as hard workers. They really admire the precision and ethical attitude in the citizens. Germans don’t like making a lot of jokes and excuses. Their seriousness might seem a little abrupt or even rude in the beginning however, it’s just a semblance of their righteousness. Germans are also quite foody and really love their beer and sausages. Germans annual consumption of beer per capita is 106 litters, third worldwide. Germany produces more than 300 varieties of baked bread. Octoberfest, the greatest event of their favorite drink, the beer, is one of the many events that are held in Germany. Berlin Film Festival brings together film and art celebrities from all over the world. The homeland of many famous intellectual people who left their mark in history that they gave to the world, are people like Einstein and Mozart. Germany is also known as Das Land der Dichter und Denker (the country of poets and thinkers).

Q. Funny German Words

Let’s make the task of learning German a little more fun! Check out these fun words translated from German to English. Every language has its own nitty gritties and we’ve mentioned some of them below, 

For instance, what do you call a person who pees outside the toilet in the English language. There is in fact no word for it. However, that is not the case in German. In the German language, the word for such a person is “Wildpinkler.” Isn’t that crazy? Here’s a list of the 10 funniest words in German and their meaning in English. 

 

Brustwarze – Breast wart.
This word literally means “breast wart”. It stands for “nipple” in English. This is not the only funny word for body parts. There is also Zahnfleisch (tooth-meat) which actually means gums.

Liebfrauenmilch – Beloved lady milk.
This word originates from a German wine back in the 1700s and it refers to the Virgin Mary. The expression “Liebfrauenmilch” is now a legally protected name of German wine (from the Mosel region).

Handschuhe – Hand shoes.
Germans don’t have the time nor the patience to create a unique word for the clothes we wear on different parts of the body. Everything you put in your hands, they refer to Handschuhe which literally translates to “hand shoes”.

Klobrille – toilet glasses.
Germans are known as people who value cleanliness. Some say that when they get into a hotel before deciding to pass the night there they check toilets to be sure they’re all clean. Toilet glasses are not actually any special device Germans use to inspect toilets. They are just toilet seats.

Stinktier – Stink animal.
Germans name some animals from their smell, their looks, or any other treat, physical or non-physical, that differentiate them from the rest. The slug is an animal-like snail but without its home. Germans call it Nacktschnecke which literally is “a naked snail”. They call Wolverine Vielfraß which means “eat-a-lot”.

Eselsbrücke – donkey’s bridge.
This term stands for the trick you use to help you remember something when it doesn’t come to your mind at the moment you need it. It originates from the Latin term “pons asinorum” (bridge of donkeys).

Donnerbalken – thunder beam.
This word long ago referred to the military latrine, but now in slang refers to the toilet. In English, the slang “thunderbox” would match it. You can guess what’s funny about it.

Durchfall – through fall It stands for “diarrhea”” in English. It originates from Greek and it means “through-flow”

Wildpinkler – wild pee-er.
It is a unique word when referring to people who pee outside a toilet. It may sound like an offense but for your curiosity “Wildpinkler “–s were eroding the ancient walls of Ulm Minister church a report said.

Dudelsack – yodel sack.
Dudelsack stands for the well-known Scottish national musical instrument. Literally means the bag that tootles.

Q. German Idioms

We are sure that you must have heard the phrase, “ If you want to learn the German language, you have to think like a German.” Every language has its own stylization and syntax. For instance, in the English language we often use this phrase; I am running out of time. It doesn’t mean that you are literally running after time. Similarly, in German language as well the idioms have a figurative meaning. 

Such idiomatic expressions reveal the social and cultural background of a country. An English idiom may relate to an idiom in German, but they literally can be way different. For example, the English idiom “piece of cake” refers to something that we did with ease and joy. In German, it is “Das schaffe ich mit links”, which in English literally means “I could do that with my left hand only”.

Comprehending and using such idioms will give you a creative outlet for your expressions.  For example, the English idiom “piece of cake” refers to something that we did with ease and joy. In German, it is “Das schaffe ich mit links”, which in English literally means “I could do that with my left hand only”. Learning such idioms will give you a creative sense of expressing your thoughts. There is a list of such German idioms and their meaning in English. 

Da steppt der Bär (Literally: The bear dances there) – It will be a good party Tomaten auf den Augen haben (Literally: to have tomatoes on one’s eyes) – to be unaware of what is going around you

Himmel und Hölle in Bewegung setzen (Literally: Put heaven and hell in motion) – to move heaven and earth

Eine Extrawurst verlangen (Literally: to ask for an extra sausage) – ask for special treatment

Da kannst du Gift drauf nehmen (Literally: You can take poison on that) – you can bet on it

den Nagel auf den Kopf treffen (Literally: to hit the nail on the head) – you hit it right

seinen Senf dazugeben (Literally: to add their mustard) – to put two cents in

klar wie Kloßbrühe (Literally: clear as soup) – clear as crystal

Schwein haben (Literally: to have a pig) – to be lucky

Q. German Slang

Slangs are an extremely important part of a language’s culture and tradition. If you are stuck in the streets of Berlin and can’t figure out what people are saying, you’d probably find some slang expressions pretty helpful. Some of the slangs that might help you get started are, 

Auf dicke Hose machen

This is used when somebody acts like they are stronger or wealthier than others. Literally translates “act like you have huge pants”.

Gebongt sein

It means that a deal is settled. A “bon” is the receipt you take when you buy something. Something “gebongt” means agreed or booked.

Was geht ab?

It’s the equivalent of “What’s up?” in English. “Was geht” is the even shorter version used by teenagers.

Is a greeting that means “hello” and “what are you doing?” at the same time. It’s also used along with “gehts” and some greeting words like “Na, alles gut?” to ask the other person “how are you doing?”

Nicht alle Tassen im Schrank haben

It means you are crazy. Literally: You don’t have all the cups in your cupboard.

Bock haben

Means being in good mood. When they say “Null bock” means they are in a bad mood.

Die Nase voll haben

Literally means “to have your nose full” and it refers to having enough of something that you are starting to lose your interest in the matter completely.

Chillen

Is a German slang version of “to chill” in English, meaning to hang out, have fun.

Aus der Reihe tanzen

Refers to those people who like to stay off the line, acting differently compared to the rest. It may also have a positive meaning for someone who is just minding his own business.

Q. German Food

Another thing that will make you love Germany is their traditional delicious food. Here are the 10 most known German foods:

Bratwurst

Bratwursts are sausages from pork meat and are part of every barbeque in Germany. Most known are the ones from Nurnberg.

Currywurst

Are also pork meat. This food was invented in Berlin by Herta Heuwer in 1949.

Bratkartoffeln

Potatoes are considered to be typical German food. So, it is not a surprise they made a joke out of it. Germans eat at least a portion of this food in a day.

Sauerbraten

Sauerbraten is a dish of meat. Basically, you just sink a piece of beef in hot juices for hours and hours and you’ll get soft and delicious food at the end.

Maultaschen

Maultaschen is another delicious food you must try if you are in Germany. It is a dish made of a lot of stuff like pork and beef, but it also has its vegetarian version.

Leberkäse
Here is the other dish made with pork meat. Leberkäse is served in little pieces with bread and mustard rather than a real meal. It is a sausage but in contrast with other German sausages, it is kept in the oven for a long time.

Schnitzel

You slice a piece of veal meat and cover it with flour, egg, and tiny pieces of bread, and when you put it in oil or butter until it becomes golden on the outside. That is how you cook Schnitzel.

German BREADS (brot)