The usage of “doch” Part 4
You can also add “doch” to emphasize the urgency of a wish!
Example: Wenn ich doch Millionär wäre! -> If only I was a millionaire!
…. As you can see, doch has many faces! It’s a frequent word and it’s probably one of the most difficult ones, too. You may find it hard to use it right at first but with a growing understanding and feeling for German, you’ll get better at it - I promise!
Last but not least, “doch” is used a lot to contradict a negative reply. You don’t have to add anything else, just a short “doch” is enough ;)
Schmeckt es dir nicht? - Doch! -> Don’t you like the food? - Yes, I do.
Hast du das nicht verstanden? - Doch! -> Didn’t you understand it? -> Yes, I did.
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ICH WÜNSCHE EUCH ALLEN FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!
MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!
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The following poem is really famous (written at the end of the 19th century). Children often have to learn it by heart in school/kindergarten. WATCH.
Denkt euch - ich habe das Christkind gesehn!
Es kam aus dem Wald, das Mützchen voll Schnee,
mit rotgefrorenem Näschen.
Die kleinen Hände taten ihm weh;
denn es trug einen Sack, der war gar schwer,
schleppte und polterte hinter ihm her.
Was drin war, möchtet ihr wissen?
Ihr Naseweise, ihr Schelmenpack -
meint ihr, er wäre offen, der Sack?
Zugebunden bis oben hin!
Doch war gewiss was Schönes drin:
denn es roch so nach Äpfeln und Nüssen!
Translation:
Guess what? I saw the Christkind.
It came out of the forest, its little cap full of snow.
Its hands were sore
Because it was carrying a sack that was very heavy
And was dragging it behind.
You want to know what was in it?
Do you think it was open?
You nosey ones.
It was tied securely,
But there was an aroma of apples and nuts.
(pic via halle.de)
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German children write their wishes down and send them to the Christkind - the German Christmas angel (lit: Christchild). It’s Santa’s helper and brings the gifts on the late afternoon/evening of the 24th.
die Weihnachtspost = Christmas mail
der Brief = letter
einen Brief schreiben an = to write a letter to
der Wunsch (Wünsche) = wish(es)
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Another great thing about the holiday season are “Marzipankartoffeln” - marzipan potatoes. Not only are they pretty decorative, they’re also delicious (especially if you are a fan of the sweet almond paste ;)). Here’s a super-simple recipe for you:
All you need is (Du brauchst:)
1/2 pound marzipan (250 Gramm Marzipan)
1 tsp Rum (1 Teelöffel Rum)
about 3 oz of powdered sugar (ca. 80 Gramm Puderzucker)
(optional: cocoa powder) (wahlweise: Kakaopulver)
Mix all the ingredients together and shape rolls (about 1,5-2 inches wide). Now cut off pieces (about 1 inch wide) and shape balls. (optional: roll them in cocoa powder). That’s it! :D
(pic via niederegger.de)
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This is a picture of one Germany’s oldest Christmas markets: Dresden! It’s called “Striezelmarkt” and was first mentioned in 1434 (!!). Nowadays, the Striezel is more commenly known as “Stollen”, which is a famous German fruity christmas cake.
On the picture you can also see the famous wooden Christmas pyramid. Small versions can be found in many people’s homes during this time of the year. The city of Dresden is close to an area called “Erzgebirge” where these type of Christmas pyramids are made.
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The usage of “doch” Part 3
“doch” is also used a lot in commands. Sometimes it adds a note of impatience/urgency (by adding “immer” or “endlich” you can make it more clear), sometimes it makes the command sound more like an encouragement (by adding “mal” or “ruhig” you can make it more clear)!
Examples:
Reg dich doch nicht (immer) so auf! -> For heaven’s sake, don’t get so upset!
Freu dich doch (endlich)! -> Do cheer up!
Komm doch (ruhig) morgen vorbei! -> Why not drop by tomorrow?
Lass mich doch (mal) schauen! -> Why don’t you let me take a look?
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SPITZBUBEN! They are Plätzchen!! Tough one ;) Nomnom. Another cookie recipe for you guys! These are particularly cute - their name translates to “rascals”. I think they’re originally from Switzerland. My mom bakes them every year and they’re simply delicious!
You need:
- 1 1/8 cups butter
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 2 teaspoons vanilla sugar
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 egg white
- 3 1/8 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup fruit preserves, any flavor
- 1/3 cup confectioners’ sugar for decoration
Beat butter or margarine until soft and fluffy. Mix in the sugar. Beat the egg white into the creamed mixture and add to the flour mix. Cover the dough, and rest the dough in the refrigerator for one hour. Roll it out until it is about 3/4 inch thick. Cut out circles with pastry cutters and smaller shapes into the middle the circles. Bake in a preheated 400 ° F (200° C) oven for 6 to 8 minutes. Warm up jam (whatever flavour you like, usually its something like raspberry) and put some on the cookies without the hole. Then add a cookie with a hole on top - they’ll stick together. For decoration, sprinkle with powdered sugar. GUTEN APPETIT!
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Who would like to come to the blackboard…
… and guess….
What are “Spitzbuben”?
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Wort des Jahres 2011
Every year, the Gesellschaft für deutsche Sprache (society of German language) announces the “word of the year”.
Today, 2011’s word was presented: STRESSTEST (masc.) I guess there’s no translation needed ;)
Usually, it’s a term that can be found in medical science. However, since this year Germany’s politicians have been under some serious stress (for various reasons), “Stresstest” has been used many times.
What’s your personal word of the year (English or German)?
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