Tipping in Germany works differently than in the United States, where tips usually constitute the majority of the waitstaff’s paychecks. In fact, a waiter or waitress in the U.S. can even lose money if they don’t receive a tip, as the general tipping standard is accounted for in taxes. In …
There are many words in German that are similar to English – and basic tech terminology is no exception. You may have already noticed that, in general, a lot of German tech terminology comes from English. For example, the word “Internet” remains unchanged in most languages, with the only variation …
German can be a tricky language. But even if you’re not always able to express yourself perfectly at the beginning, it’s good to be able to clarify your intentions. So for those awkward moments in German – and in life! – here are a few different words and phrases to …
So you’re thinking about traveling to Germany, or maybe you have a new German friend whom you’d like to impress with some basic conversational skills. In this post, we’ll show you the top 10 Essential Beginner German Phrases you’ll need to know when you’re just starting out. Introductions The first …
For the curious and open-minded traveler, visiting European countries can come with all kinds of unique gastronomic experiences. Not knowing how to read a menu or order food can limit things substantially! Learning how to order food in German may lead you to regional dishes that you’ve never even heard …
A word’s etymology is its origin, and also how its usage has developed over time. Many German words are very similar to their English counterparts, but this isn’t something you can always rely on. However, even words that don’t look similar may be linked through their etymology. Therefore, learning a …
Many German words don’t have direct 1:1 translations in English – and in some cases, these words describe scenarios, emotions, concepts, and objects that would necessitate an entire sentence in English! Some of these words come together to form larger, more self-explanatory compound words, while others are a bit more …
With its long compound nouns and gendered articles, German can be an overwhelming language to learn, regardless of the level you’re at. Here are some fun facts that will get you motivated to learn the German language, or keep you going if you’ve hit a plateau. Fun fact #1: The …
German is valued highly in the academic community because Germany’s universities have an excellent international reputation. In 2011, the country was the fourth-most-popular destination for students from abroad, with more than a quarter million foreigners enrolled in German schools. German is the most widely spoken native language in Europe, and …
