Officers of the law demand a degree of respect, but there are some things to know about speaking to police in German that may not be obvious to foreigners. Here are some things you can say (and some you should not).
From 'an' to 'zer', we break down what those pesky prefixes mean, and show that they're not as hard to master once you start seeing the patterns in them.
Germans love cars, whether that means making them, cleaning them, or driving them really fast on the country's Autobahns. Here's our guide to joining in with the conversation.
Every language has its share of words describing no-win situations, but few of them can touch the German 'Zwickmühle' for capturing the horrible discomfort one feels on the horns of a dilemma.
As the days get warmer and the streets are awash with bright green foliage and flowers, there are a few German words and expressions that you may find handy this season.
The March equinox marks the astronomical beginning of spring in the northern hemisphere, and occurred on the 20th this year. Did you know there are two German terms for this day?
Getting to grips with German grammar is not easy—which is why we're running this series offering tips and tricks for German learners. This week, we’re looking at one of the most mysterious little words in the German language: doch.
With greater numbers of international workers choosing to settle in Germany and raise a family, the question of how to best raise bilingual children is often considered.
Is your over-zealous boss getting on your nerves? Are you tired of your partner correcting every small grammar mistake you make in German? If so, this funny idiom is for you.
There are many words that mean sandwich or filled roll in Germany. Here are some of the basic ones that may be helpful next time you're ordering a quick bite on the go.
If you are struggling to cement some simple German words in your head, listening to some very familiar songs sung in German by iconic pop stars might help.
Learning German can be a daunting task - and it doesn't help that the language is plagued by myths that can be off-putting to foreigners. Here are five of the worst offenders that learners should put out of their minds for good.
As the last of the Christmas decorations are cleared away once more, this adorable word - which relates to a German tradition dating back to the 16th century - is guaranteed to give you one last dose of festive cheer.
There's nothing worse than finding yourself tongue-tied as you sit around the table with German friends and relatives over Christmas. To make sure the festive season goes off without a hitch, here are some words and phrases that may come in handy.
The top German word of the year alludes to the collapse of the federal government coalition. Other top contenders were equally timely and political, including 'fit-for-war' and 'drift-to-the-right'.
