GermanHeit » Fun German Language/Culture Learning

Wow. Nice. johncabrera: Open Air Library In An Abandoned...

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:00:09 +0100

Wow. Nice.

Open Air Library In An Abandoned Industrial Landscape

Magdeburg, Germany, is the place where you can visit and admire the Open Air Library. With a budget of $325,000 Euros, the library was built on a surface of 488 square meters. The project started in2005, when residents of an abandoned district centre in East Germany used crates to build a district library and donated books filled the shelves of the former district library’s site. KARO Architekten were commissioned to build the modern Open Air Library we can see today. The abandoned industrial landscape was adorned with a fantastic urban experiment in the shape of a modern library, constructed from pieces of the modernist facade of the old HORTEN warehouse of the City of Hamm, built back in 1966. With no need for registration, the public library gathers readers in a contemporary outdoor setting. Readers can take books and bring them back or bring other ones in exchange, so that everyone can enjoy this open place and the knowledge it brings. Open 24 hours a day, the Open Air Library is also used for public readings, local band concerts and other cultural events. The elementary school uses the library for theater plays and every community member can take part in this cultural experiment.

(Click photo for more pictures)

You have to watch this little short film about Berlin. CLICK ON...

Sat, 04 Feb 2012 17:56:54 +0100

You have to watch this little short film about Berlin. CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO WATCH IT ON VIMEO.

The miniature effect is really cool. Personally, I’d have chosen a different soundtrack though… ;) something more light and less boisterous… I actually turned off the sound and started listening to something else *LOL*.

The German word "Ferien"

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 19:19:51 +0100

I’ve gotten several questions on formspring about the word “Ferien” (vacation; holiday). People were wondering what the singular of “die Ferien” is, since they could only find the plural version.

That’s because “die Ferien” is always plural.

If you want to use it in the singular you will have to add another noun like “der Tag” -> der Ferientag. Only then it’s clear you mean one day of vacation. Other possibilities would be “die Ferienwoche” (vacation week) or “der Feiertag” for “public holiday”.

LOL! I found this on youtube. It’s hilarious - at least to...

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 20:01:15 +0100

LOL! I found this on youtube. It’s hilarious - at least to me ;) And I’m more than grateful, that I don’t have a typical German accent.

The usage of "eben" Part 2

Sat, 28 Jan 2012 18:00:05 +0100

“eben” can also be used in the sense of exactly or precisely.

Example:

Eben daran hatte ich nie gedacht! -> That’s the only thing I hadn’t thought of!

As an adverb of time, eben means “just now”. In this case, “gerade” is an alternative.

Example:

Ich bin gerade / eben angekommen. -> I’ve arrived just now.

As an adjective, “eben” translates to “even” / “level” / “flat”.

One of my readers recently asked me on formspring, whether I...

Mon, 23 Jan 2012 18:00:06 +0100

One of my readers recently asked me on formspring, whether I knew a recipe for pretzels with a custard in the loop which he tried on a recent trip to Germany. So I thought, I should share it with all of you!

The yummy pastries are called “Puddingbrezeln” (fem.) and you can probably get them at every German bakery. Here’s how you make them:

You need:

DOUGH: 250g wheat flour; yeast; 40g sugar; 1 egg; 200g (low fat) curd

CUSTARD: 1 pkg. vanilla pudding powder; 250ml milk; 300g (low fat) curd

Prepare the dough by mixing all the ingredients. Let it sit in a warm place until it has gotten much bigger. Preheat the stove to approx. 200° C. In the meantime shape the pretzels (starting from 0.37sec) and place them on a baking tray.

Also prepare the custard now: prepare the pudding with the milk; then mix in the curd. Now put about 1-2tbsp into each loop.

Bake for about 15-20mins. And then: DIG IN!

The usage of "eben" Part 1

Sun, 22 Jan 2012 18:00:05 +0100

“eben” usually expresses confirmation that something else is the case or that there’s no alternative.

Examples:

Ich kann nichts machen. Ich bin eben so! -> I can’t help it. That’s (just) how I am!

(Dann) geh eben früh schlafen! -> Well, just go to sleep early!

Winter is a wonderful time for wonderful winter vegetables....

Sat, 21 Jan 2012 17:27:34 +0100

Winter is a wonderful time for wonderful winter vegetables. Stews, soups, salads or healthy side dishes - there are many ways to use them.

1. der Blumenkohl = cauliflower

2. der Rosenkohl = brussels sprouts

3. der Grünkohl = kale

4. der Rotkohl = red cabbage

5. der Weißkohl = white cabbage

6. die rote Beete = root beet

"Scheiße bauen" (reg.)

Thu, 12 Jan 2012 18:00:06 +0100

You will hear sentences like the following often in colloquial German - especially among young people:

“Ich hab gestern voll Scheiße gebaut.”

“Als ich jung war, habe ich viel Scheiße gebaut.”

”Scheiße bauen” (lit: to build shit) is a regular verb.

It means “to make mistakes”. Very often it refers to stuff done in the past like “I took drugs / got drunk a lot etc.”, “I was involved in criminal activities”, “I didn’t pay attention at school and received bad grades” etc.

But you can also use it for recent events. “Ich habe Scheiße gebaut. Ich habe deine CD kaputt gemacht. Es tut mir leid.” (I fucked up. I broke your CD. I’m sorry.)

The English equivalent is: “to fuck up” “to mess up” etc.

Dieser Hund sieht … aus… This dog is...

Wed, 11 Jan 2012 18:00:06 +0100

Dieser Hund sieht … aus… This dog is looking…

1. traurig

2. bedrückt

3. betrübt

4. frustriert

5. bekümmert

… these are only a few ways to express “sad” in German :)

And btw. we call a pug “der Mops” ;)

The usage of "doch" Part 4

Wed, 04 Jan 2012 19:06:25 +0100

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.

ICH WÜNSCHE EUCH ALLEN FROHE WEIHNACHTEN! MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL...

Sat, 24 Dec 2011 18:00:06 +0100

ICH WÜNSCHE EUCH ALLEN FROHE WEIHNACHTEN!

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL OF YOU!

The following poem is really famous (written at the end of the...

Fri, 23 Dec 2011 18:00:05 +0100

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)

German children write their wishes down and send them to the...

Thu, 22 Dec 2011 18:00:05 +0100

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)

Another great thing about the holiday season are...

Wed, 21 Dec 2011 18:00:05 +0100

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)

This is a picture of one Germany’s oldest Christmas...

Tue, 20 Dec 2011 18:00:05 +0100

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.

The usage of "doch" Part 3

Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:00:05 +0100

“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?

SPITZBUBEN! They are Plätzchen!! Tough one ;) Nomnom. Another...

Sun, 18 Dec 2011 18:00:06 +0100

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!

Who would like to come to the blackboard...

Sat, 17 Dec 2011 18:00:05 +0100

… and guess….

What are “Spitzbuben”?

Wort des Jahres 2011

Fri, 16 Dec 2011 19:06:38 +0100

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)?