The result:
dynamic room lighting has a positive impact on the well-being of shift workers.
Das Ergebnis: Dynamische Raumlichtbedingungen wirken positiv auf das Befinden von Schichtarbeitern.
The comfort and well-being of our guests is paramount to us.
Komfort und Wohlbehagen unserer Gäste liegen uns sehr am Herzen.
He believed that sleep was an indicator of the sleeper’s well-being.
Er sah im Schlaf einen Indikator für das Befinden des Schläfers.
Gesture in every direction, a sort of radiating well-being, and so….
Geste in alle Richtungen, eine Art Wohlbehagen, das ausstrahlt und….
Our different saunas bring the right warmth for your well-being and your health.
Unsere verschiedenen Saunen bringen die richtige Wärme für Ihr Befinden und Ihre Gesundheit.
The pendant lamps(Ø 45 cm) create comfort and well-being.
Die Pendelleuchten im Durchmesser von 45 cm, Lampen erzeugen Gemütlichkeit und Wohlbehagen.
His design priorities were a clear layout and the well-being of guests.
Seine Leitgedanken waren die klare Gestaltung und das Wohlbehagen der Gäste.
Much of your well-being depends on where you look.
Ein Großteil eures Wohlseins hängt davon ab, wohin ihr schaut.
Well-being disorders, e.g. depressive moods or anxieties.
Störungen des Befindens, z.B. depressiver Verstimmung oder Angst.
Transform the bathroom into a place of relaxation and well-being.
Das Badezimmer als Ort der Entspannung und des Wohlfühlens.
The other an equally potent factor for mutual helpfulness and
Die anderen ein in gleicher Weise bedeutsames Element der gegenseitigen Hilfe und
Wellness- und Behandlungspauschalen ohne Unterkunft.
Guests can choose from various massages for body, well-being and beauty.
Die Gäste können aus verschiedenen Körper-, Wohlbefinden- und Schönheitsmassagen auswählen.
Their well-being is a concern of all Falun Gong practitioners throughout the world.
Ihre Unversehrtheit ist eine Sorge, die alle Falun Gong Praktizierenden weltweit teilen.
Nature and well-being, where you can touch the Etna with your finger.
Natur und Entspannung, wo Sie den Ätna mit einem Finger klopfen können.
The extent of a cow’s well-being depends on a variety of factors.
Material well-being in the West has not lead to an increase in»bien être.
Der materielle Wohlstand im Westen führte nicht zu einer Zunahme des»Wohlbefindens.
MÂ2 devoted to well-being and fitness at the heart of Moselle.
Der Wellness und Fitness gewidmete 2.800 m2 im Herzen
des
Departements Moselle.
Well-being in Germany: Its happy regions have much in common.
Deutschland zum Wohlfühlen: Viele Gemeinsamkeiten in den glücklichen Regionen.
Well-being and beauty treatments also for children& teenagers.
Wohlfühl- und Beauty-Anwendungen auch für Kinder& Jugendliche.
Of course, as always, your physical well-being will be taken care of.
Für das leibliche Wohl wird natürlich wie immer gesorgt sein.
Our success is closely linked to the health and well-being of our employees.
Unser Erfolg ist eng verknüpft mit dem gesundheitlichen Wohlergehen unserer Mitarbeiterinnen und Mitarbeiter.
Free entrance to our well-being oasis: Finnish sauna, bio sauna, steam bath.
Freie Benützung unserer Wohlfühl- Oase: finnische Sauna, Biosauna, Dampfsauna.
The general economic well-being was also apparent in an elaborate building programme.
Der wirtschaftliche Wohlstand wurde auch in einer umfangreichen Bautätigkeit erkennbar.
Creating increased conditions of well-being and social inclusion.
Schaffung besserer Voraussetzungen für Wohlergehen und soziale Eingliederung.
You cannot define health solely in terms of physical well-being.
Results: 10265,
Time: 0.0549
English
—
German
German
—
English
Forum discussions containing the search term |
|
|---|---|
| well-being | Last post 28 Oct 04, 12:20 |
| Wie lautet im Englischen das Gegenteil von «well-being», im Sinne von Wohlbefinden und Gesun… | 1 Replies |
| personal well being… | Last post 15 May 10, 13:00 |
| Habe meine Probleme mit einer adäquaten Übersetzung von personal well being und empowerment.… | 1 Replies |
| Well-being benefit | Last post 06 Aug 20, 10:24 |
| Dies ist Teil einer Versicherungsleistung. Aufgeführt sind darunter ein Hörtest, Gesundheits… | 1 Replies |
| ontological well-being | Last post 23 Jun 10, 08:24 |
| «she needs whatever serves her physical, mental and ontological well-being» Hat jemand eine… | 9 Replies |
| Wohlbefinden — well being | Last post 29 Jul 09, 13:42 |
| sich um jemandes Wohlbefinden sorgen he takes care of his well-being he shows interest in h… | 0 Replies |
| Wohlbefinden — well-being | Last post 26 Jan 11, 00:31 |
| (this is the topic of the text I am translating: A psychological survey on) How religiousne… | 0 Replies |
| well-being — various | Last post 13 Nov 13, 08:55 |
| well-being -tdas Wohl well-being — das Wohlbefinden well-being — das Wohlergehen economic w… | 9 Replies |
| politics of well-being | Last post 12 Jun 09, 15:05 |
| …XY believed that by 2020 governments will be measured by how happy they make their citize… | 3 Replies |
| höheres Wohlbefinden — better well-being | Last post 26 Jan 11, 02:29 |
| means: to feel better I am rather sure about «well-being», but does it go with «better» or w… | 10 Replies |
| cognitive and affective well-being | Last post 05 Mar 18, 18:07 |
| …unintended feelings of envy, which are then negatively linked to cognitive and affective … | 1 Replies |
|
More |
Other actions
Find out more
In need of language advice? Get help from other users in our forums.
Edit your word lists
Sortieren Sie Ihre gespeicherten Vokabeln.
Search history
Sehen Sie sich Ihre letzten Suchanfragen an.
English ⇔ German — leo.org: Start page
SUCHWORT — Translation in LEO’s English ⇔ German Dictionary
LEO.org: Your online dictionary for English-German translations. Offering forums, vocabulary trainer and language courses. Also available as App!
Learn the translation for ‘SUCHWORT’ in LEO’s English ⇔ German dictionary. With noun/verb tables for the different cases and tenses ✓ links to audio pronunciation and relevant forum discussions ✓ free vocabulary trainer ✓
By
Last updated:
January 1, 2023
German’s got some unique benefits going for it.
The German language is often parodied for its love of mushing together a bunch of words to create one super-long one.
Like Kraftfahrzeughaftpflichtversicherung (automobile liability insurance) and the previous titleholder for longest German word, Rindfleischetikettierungsueberwachungsaufgabenuebertragungsgesetz (law delegating beef label monitoring — thankfully the law it describes was repealed.)
On the flip-side, Germans are also good at something that involves a bit more brevity: summing up complex concepts and emotional states in just one word.
Contents
- Where to Learn New German Words
-
- 1. Weltschmerz
- 2. Fremdscham
- 3. Treppenwitz
- 4. Mutterseelenallein
- 5. Unwort
- 6. Gemütlichkeit
- 7. Backpfeifengesicht
- 8. Sprachgefühl
- 9. Aufschnitte
- 10. Streicheleinheit
- 11. Sehnsucht
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
Where to Learn New German Words
Many websites and apps can help you learn uniquely German words that’ll help you more accurately sum up your web of emotions.
- Deutsche Welle has a regular feature called Word of the Week that features interesting German words and a brief explanation of how they’re used. They also provide an audio file. Download this and learn how to pronounce some of those more tongue-tying words.
- FluentU aims to get your brain in “German mode” so you understand how native speakers use the language in real life. Every video comes with interactive subtitles, flashcards and fun quizzes so you remember what you’ve learned. Check it out with the free trial.
- Easy Languages on YouTube has a feature called “Learning German from the Streets” where they ask passersby to explain German words. There’s even an episode on Weltschmerz. The videos are very easy to follow because they have both German and English subtitles, so it’s a great way to hear complex concepts explained by everyday Germans.
11 Oddly Specifc German Words That Make Other Languages Jealous
Words like these would definitely come in handy in English. You know, when you want to describe a very specific scenario that everyone knows. Instead, we’re limited to giving the same long-winded explanations again and again.
That’s why sometimes it’s just easier for us to stick to the original German words, like Zeitgeist (spirit of the time) or Doppelgänger (look-alike or double).
Here are a few more examples that the English language should consider adding.
1. Weltschmerz
Literally translated to “world pain,” Weltschmerz describes the feeling of having the weight of the world on your shoulders.
You know those days where you watch some moving documentary on Netflix about starving children in some far-off place and suddenly you feel hopeless about the state of our plant?
You have Weltschmerz.
When you read the news, see all the horrible things happening and feel deep resignation about your own inability to do anything about any of it? Weltschmerz. The next time your outlook is too dark and glum to bear seeing another photo exhibit on AIDS, just let your friends know you can’t. Du hast Weltschmerz.
2. Fremdscham
This feeling may arise when you see a Facebook friend post a long-winded rant about something that turns out to be a gag article from The Onion.
Or when you watch one of those clips from America’s Funniest Home Videos where someone gets hurt in a stupid way.
Some might feel Schadenfreude, a German word that is somewhat commonly used in English, which means taking joy in others’ pain.
Instead of this though, you cringe and feel embarrassed for them, almost as if you made the mistake yourself. That’s Fremdscham, literally “stranger shame.”
One might feel this at a party when someone else insults the host’s cooking, only to have the host walk up right behind them. Ouch — that stinging feeling in your stomach? Total Fremdscham.
3. Treppenwitz
English-language comedians have built dozens upon dozens of sitcoms entirely upon the premise of Treppenwitz, like in the Seinfeld episode “The Comeback.” Yet we still don’t have a good way to describe it.
Well, I’ll take a stab at it. You know those times when you get into an argument with someone and you want so badly to say a snappy comeback, but that snappy comeback doesn’t dawn on you until long after the altercation?
That’s a Treppenwitz.
The word literally means “staircase joke,” as in you don’t think of the retort until you’re on the stairs, leaving the scene. Then you kick yourself for not thinking faster. Shoot! Why didn’t I think of that?
4. Mutterseelenallein
This one might come the closest to representing the internet meme “forever alone,” but the imagery it evokes cannot be matched in English.
Mutterseelenallein literally translates to mean “mother’s souls alone,” as in no soul, not even your mother’s, is with you. You’re so alone that not even your mother can stand being with you. Cue the sad violin music.
5. Unwort
Ever the clever linguists, Germans know that sometimes there are words that aren’t really words. They decided that those words deserve their own word to describe them.
That word is Unwort, or un-word. The term is generally used to describe newly created, and often offensive, “words.” There’s even a panel of German linguists that selects an “Un-word of the Year.”
6. Gemütlichkeit
If you tell a German “oh, we have a phrase for Gemütlichkeit in English — feeling cozy,” they’ll instantly correct you.
For German speakers, it’s so much more than that.
The word describes the whole atmosphere of your surroundings. It’s not just the state of being on a soft couch that gives you Gemütlichkeit. It’s being on a soft couch. Under a warm blanket. Surrounded by family. With a cup of hot chocolate in your hands. And maybe a knit cap on your head. It’s the whole experience and feeling that you have of being physically warm, but also metaphorically feeling warm inside your heart.
7. Backpfeifengesicht
In English, one might say someone has “a face only a mother could love.” In German, such faces might also deserve getting punched. Backpfeifengesicht, a “face that should get a slap that whistles across the cheek,” is a face that makes you want to smack that person.
8. Sprachgefühl
Some people just have a knack for learning languages, collecting five, six or seven in their lifetime. It’s like they have a sixth sense for knowing when to say der, die or das. There’s a German word for this: Sprachgefühl, or “language feeling.” According to Wiktionary, it’s the “instinctive or intuitive grasp” of a language.
9. Aufschnitte
This translates to “cold cuts,” but it’s often used not only to describe the pieces of meat on the table, but the whole meal. Often Germans will have a meal of Aufschnitte where they sit down to eat a selection of breads with various fresh cheeses, smoked salmon and thinly sliced meat. It’s often a more convenient alternative to cooking for the whole family after a long day at work and driving on the Autobahn. What’s for dinner? Let’s just have Aufschnitte.
10. Streicheleinheit
Many online dictionaries translate this word to be a noun for “caress,” but when you break down the word, it sounds quite technical.
The word comes from the verb streicheln — to stroke or pet — and the noun Einheit — a unit of measurement. So it literally means “a unit of petting.”
But the way it’s used in practice is more along the lines of what in English might be shortened to TLC — tender love and care. A German might say “Wir alle sehnen uns nach Streicheleinheiten” — we’re all yearning for love and affection. And isn’t that the truth.
11. Sehnsucht
This is another word that describes a complex set of emotions. It comes from sehnen, which means “to yearn or long for,” and Sucht, an obsession, craving or addiction.
Literally, it would mean something like “an obsessive yearning” for something, but that doesn’t quite capture it. It could be used to describe an inconsolable yearning for happiness and the unattainable. It could illustrate that you’re intensely missing something or someone. It may also express a longing for a far-off place.
Either way, it’s a pretty profound emotion to be boiled down into just two syllables.
Feeling Sehnsucht to get out there and start using these unique German words? We are!
Emma Anderson is an American journalist based in Berlin. She regularly writes for Berlin-based, English language publications The Local and EXBERLINER magazine.
Download:
This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you
can take anywhere.
Click here to get a copy. (Download)
If you’ve just started learning German, you might be struggling to get past the beginner stage.
Maybe you feel overwhelmed by the Germanic umlauts on vowels (ä, ö, ü), or maybe that eszett letter (ß). Perhaps it’s the pace of spoken German that’s made you question your decision to start learning.
While there’s definitely truth to those concerns, worry not. There are several short and easy-to-learn words in German that can serve as a springboard while you become familiar with the language.
Memorizing even a few basic German words for beginners will be enough of a stepping stone to help you eventually learn more. This is because many German words are composed of several shorter words that, when combined, have a unique meaning.
Take Kühlschrank, for example. This word is composed of Kühl- which means “cool,” and -schrank which translates to “cupboard.”
Combine the two and you get “cool cupboard,” which is a funny way to describe a refrigerator—the actual meaning of the word Kühlschrank.
Pretty relieving to know this, right?
German isn’t that hard after all. The most difficult part is to summon up the courage to begin.
That’s why we took the time to put together a categorized masterlist of the most essential words in German for beginners.
Without further ado, let’s get right into it…
Table of Contents
- Pronouns
- Numbers
- Nouns
- Verbs
- Adjectives
- Conjunctions
- Others
- Conclusion
1. Pronouns
The first set of words you should add to your German vocabulary are pronouns. These are the words we use to refer to people, places, or things without actually using their names:
- Susan ate the chocolate bar. = She ate the chocolate bar.
Here, we’ll be covering three types of pronouns in German: personal, demonstrative, and interrogative.
Personal Pronouns
We’ll start with personal pronouns, given their importance in sentences. These are crucial for almost any sentence, and we recommend you memorize them by heart before you start with any other words.
| English | German |
| I | ich |
| you | du |
| he | er |
| she | sie |
| it | es |
| we | wir |
| you (plural) | ihr |
| they | sie |
| me | mich / mir |
| you | dich / dir |
| him | ihm / ihn |
| her | ihr |
| us | uns |
| them | ihnen |
Demonstrative Pronouns
Demonstrative pronouns are especially critical for indicating which objects or people you’re referring to in your dialogue. These four basic German words are important to master at the beginner stage.
| English | German |
| this | dieses |
| that | das |
| these | diese |
| those | jene |
Interrogative Pronouns / Question Words
Interrogative pronouns, or the “Five Ws,” are the words we use to ask questions.
| English | German |
| who | wer |
| whom | wen / wem |
| whose | wessen |
| what | was |
| which | welche |
In a similar vein, there are a few interrogative adverbs you should learn at this stage as well:
| English | German |
| when | wann |
| where | wo |
| why | warum |
| how | wie |
2. Numbers
The numbers from one to ten in German are rather similar to those in English. Just like with most languages, learning the first ten digits will help you understand and easily learn the rest of the numbers.
| Numbers | English | German |
| 0 | zero | null |
| 1 | one | eins |
| 2 | two | zwei |
| 3 | three | drei |
| 4 | four | vier |
| 5 | five | fünf |
| 6 | six | sechs |
| 7 | seven | sieben |
| 8 | eight | acht |
| 9 | nine | neun |
| 10 | ten | zehn |
3. Nouns
Nouns are one of the most important parts of speech, so you should memorize as many of them in German as you can. When used with verbs, they create a complete sentence—in a pinch, you can even use them alone to get an urgent point across! Below, you’ll find lists of beginner German nouns you should focus on right away.
Time
Time is king, especially in a country like Germany where punctuality is paramount. Learning time-related vocabulary will come in handy in your day-to-day interactions.
| English | German |
| hour | Stunde |
| minute | Minute |
| morning | Morgen |
| afternoon | Nachmittag |
| evening | Abend |
| day | Tag |
| month | Monat |
| year | Jahr |
| Monday | Montag |
| Tuesday | Dienstag |
| Wednesday | Mittwoch |
| Thursday | Donnerstag |
| Friday | Freitag |
| Saturday | Samstag |
| Sunday | Sonntag |
People
These are the words you’d learn in the first lesson of probably any German beginner copybook.
| English | German |
| butcher | Metzger (m.) / Metzgerin (f.) |
| woodman | Holzfäller (m.) / Holzfällerin (f.) |
| police officer | Polizist (m.) / Polizistin (f.) |
| doctor | Arzt (m.) / Ärztin (f.) |
| nurse | Krankenpfleger (m.) / Krankenschwester (f.) |
| firefighter | Feuerwehrmann (m.) / Feuerwehrfrau (f.) |
| teacher | Lehrer (m.) / Lehrerin (f.) |
| father | Vater |
| mother | Mutter |
| sister | Schwester |
| brother | Bruder |
| Mr. | Herr |
| Ms. | Frau |
Places Around Town
If you’re traveling in Germany, whether in one town or around the country, these words will help you get by and even ask for directions.
| English | German |
| hospital | Krankenhaus |
| supermarket | Supermarkt |
| school | Schule |
| downtown | Innenstadt |
| university | Universität |
| city hall | Rathaus |
| main square | Hauptplatz |
| bank | Bank |
| museum | Museum |
| restaurant | Restaurant |
| café | Café |
| police station | Polizeistation |
| train station | Bahnhof |
| bus station | Bushaltestelle |
School/Office Essentials
If you have to study or work in Germany, these words will be helpful when you’re in class or at the office.
| English | German |
| pen | Kugelschreiber |
| notebook | Notizbuch |
| computer | Computer |
| pencil case | Federmappe |
| headphones | Kopfhörer |
| mouse | Maus |
| keyboard | Tastatur |
| wifi | WLAN |
| charger | Ladegerät |
| cable | Kabel |
| backpack | Rucksack |
| desk | Schreibtisch |
| copybook | Heft |
Body Parts
| English | German |
| eye | Auge |
| nose | Nase |
| ear | Ohr |
| face | Gesicht |
| arm | Arm |
| chest | Brust |
| cheek | Wange |
| forehead | Stirn |
| mouth | Mund |
| chin | Kinn |
| armpit | Achselhöhle |
| abdomen | Bauch |
| leg | Bein |
| toe | Zeh |
| finger | Finger |
| ankle | Knöchel |
| hip | Hüfte |
| forearm | Unterarm |
| elbow | Ellbogen |
| wrist | Handgelenk |
Food
Germans are proud of their cuisine and German culture values eating healthy, fresh food rather than buying frozen or ready-to-eat meals. Here’s a list of words for your next grocery shopping spree.
| English | German |
| ٍٍvegetables | Gemüse |
| fruit | Obst |
| meat | Fleisch |
| milk | Milch |
| egg | Ei |
| coffee | Kaffee |
| yogurt | Joghurt |
| bread | Brot |
| bacon | Speck |
| pie | Kuchen |
| ham | Schinken |
| chicken | Huhn |
| juice | Saft |
| sausage | Wurst |
4. Verbs
As a beginner in German, you’ll greatly benefit from picking up the most commonly used verbs. Learning them together with nouns will give you a headstart when it comes to forming sentences and communicating with others.
Daily Routine Verbs
If you’re into daily journaling, doing that in German will require you to know a set of daily routine-related verbs. Here’s a list to get you started:
| English | German |
| to get up | aufstehen |
| to eat | essen |
| to drink | trinken |
| to go | gehen |
| to work | arbeiten |
| to study | studieren |
| to drive | fahren |
| to ride | reiten |
| to sleep | schlafen |
| to wake up | aufwachen |
| to hang | hängen |
| to do laundry | Wäsche machen |
| to nap | ein Nickerchen machen |
| to work out | trainieren |
| to go out | ausgehen |
| to prepare | vorbereiten |
| to cook | kochen |
| to clean | putzen |
| to wash | waschen |
| to tidy up | aufräumen |
| to connect | verbinden |
| to communicate | kommunizieren |
| to wear | tragen |
| to warm up | aufwärmen |
| to grab | greifen |
| to mix | mischen |
| to hold | halten |
| to freeze | einfrieren |
| to change | wechseln |
| to move | bewegen |
Other Common Verbs
| English | German |
| to give | geben |
| to get | bekommen |
| to do | tun |
| to make | machen |
| to let | lassen |
| to ask | fragen |
| to smile | lächeln |
| to find | finden |
| to use | benutzen |
| to take | nehmen |
| to come | kommen |
| to look | schauen |
| to hear | hören |
| to smell | riechen |
| to talk | sprechen |
| to exit | gehen |
| to call | rufen |
| to feel | fühlen |
| to answer | antworten |
| to laugh | lachen |
| to cry | weinen |
| to steal | stehlen |
| to run | rennen |
| to walk | gehen |
| to meet | treffen |
| to create | erschaffen |
| to finish | beenden |
5. Adjectives
Using adjectives in your speech or writing can add a layer of meaning and help you better express yourself. To get you started, here are a few beginner German adjectives in different categories.
Describing Objects
| English | German |
| big | groß |
| small | klein |
| long | lang |
| short | kurz |
| round | rund |
| rectangular | rechteckig |
| smooth | glatt |
| rough | rau |
Describing People
| English | German |
| pretty | hübsch |
| handsome | gutaussehend |
| tall | groß |
| short | klein |
| disgusting | ekelhaft |
| sociable | kontaktfreudig |
| funny | lustig |
| beautiful | schön |
| lovely | lieblich |
| caring | fürsorglich |
| selfless | selbstlos |
| arrogant | arrogant |
| humble | bescheiden |
| courageous | mutig |
| weak | schwach |
| strong | stark |
| quirky | schrullig |
Describing Emotions
Being able to describe our own emotions is critical for well-being and also helps us better understand others. Here’s a list of adjectives for describing emotions:
| English | German |
| happy | glücklich |
| sad | traurig |
| joyful | freudig |
| angry | sauer |
| depressed | depressiv |
| anxious | ängstlich |
| stressed out | gestresst |
| jolly | fröhlich |
Describing Weather
| English | German |
| rainy | regnerisch |
| wet | nass |
| humid | feucht |
| dry | trocken |
| arid | dürr |
| cool | kühl |
| frigid | kalt |
| foggy | neblig |
| windy | windig |
| stormy | stürmisch |
| breezy | luftig |
| windless | windstill |
| calm | ruhig |
6. Conjunctions
| English | German |
| and | und |
| but | aber |
| then | dann |
| because | weil |
| so | so / also |
7. Others
Below is a short list of filler words that Germans use in their conversations. Using these will make you sound like a native and they’ll come in handy in many situations.
| English | German |
| I see (sudden understanding) | ach so |
| sure | klar |
| simply | halt |
| well | tja |
| already | schon |
8. Conclusion
Armed with these German beginner words, you’ll be able to understand even more of the spoken language than you may have thought (thanks to those nifty word combinations!). How many of these words were new to you? And how many did you know already? We look forward to hearing from you in the comments!
As you read more German, pay attention to how different words are composed. You’ll often notice they can be broken down into parts, which will help you derive their meanings more easily.
Your goal should be to learn around 1000 German words; statistically, that’d cover 85.5% of all words you hear.
In other words, if you learn 1000 words, you’ll be able to speak German almost fluently. You’ll only have issues expressing yourself 14.5% of the time.
Memorize the 200+ from our list, and you’ll only be 800 words away from fluency.
Wondering where and how to learn those other 800 words?
Buckle up and head to GermanPod101.com.
Here, you can access lessons and word lists for the most important day-to-day vocabulary. Our lessons all feature the most effective learning tools, such as flashcards, slideshows, slowed-down audio, line-by-line breakdowns, and more.
You can also opt for 1-on-1 guidance from a language expert to answer your questions. Your private tutor can even give you a personalized learning program to match your learning goals.
You can get all of this and more by signing up for free on the GermanPod101 website.
No credit card or unnecessary information required.
Sign up here and access our materials from your desktop or mobile phone.
Every language (like every culture) can be stereotyped, and German is no exception. There are plenty of jokes about the language, many of which revolve around the same theme: German sounds aggressive, even when describing gentle concepts and using some of the most beautiful German words! This meme pretty much sums it up:
We can’t help but laugh when we see this meme, of which there are plenty of variations. The German language is good fodder for descriptive comedians too — Irish stand up Dylan Moran once said that “the German language sounds like a typewriter eating tinfoil being kicked down the stairs” (ouch.)
But I have to ask — is this stereotype totally fair? OK. Even I, a native German speaker and lover of the German language, can admit that sometimes German words can sound a little angry. But what many people don’t know is that there are far, far more beautiful words in German than harsh ones! Germany has a fantastic literary tradition which is best understood in the original language. Germany is a land of poets, philosophers and thinkers — think of Hannah Arendt, Friedrich Nietzsche and Theodor Adorno. To express great ideas, of course you need a wonderfully expressive language! Thus, there are several German words with deep meaning that sound like music to your ears.
It’s time to give the beautiful German language the second chance it deserves. To start us off, here are 11 aesthetic German words that not only sound good but have a deep and philosophical meaning!
Improving your language skills doesn’t have to be boring… work on your fluency by engaging in meaningful conversation! Tandem is not just a language exchange app, but it’s also a community where our members feel empowered to speak any language, anywhere. It’s a great place to practice all of your German, beautiful words and the more difficult ones.
1. Zeitgeist
German is so great that English speakers needed to import this word into their own language! It describes the prevalent spirit of an era. This word is so beautiful because it explains something in one word when you normally have to use a whole sentence. It’s definitely one of our favorite cool German words!
2. Fernweh
This word is the opposite of homesickness — rather, it is the feeling of desiring a place you have never been to. It’s perfect for when you want to get away and try something new!
3. Wanderlust
Wanderlust is often used in English too. It’s similar to «Fernweh,» but a little different — the desire to travel around, see new places and not stay in one place.
4. Zweisamkeit
Not only does this word sound really nice, but it expresses a feeling of closeness between two (zwei) people. The opposite is «Einsamkeit,» or loneliness. It’s one of the best cute German words to use when talking about someone you love or care for deeply.
5. Luftkuss
«Ein Luftkuss» is the act of blowing someone a kiss through the air 😄
6. Freudentränen
This is the noun we use when we have tears of joy!
7. Frühlingsgefühle
This is a great word used to describe a feeling of excitement for nice weather during the Spring, just as the sun is coming out, the trees are green and the flowers blossom.
8. Verzehren
This is a really versatile and funny German word. It can describe the process of eating, but it can also mean that you desire someone so much you almost want to eat them!
9. Filigran
When something is dainty and delicate, you can call it filigran. A ballerina dances «filigran» across the stage, a bird can fly filigran by moving its wings slowly and carefully.
10. Augenblick
A super short moment; a blink of an eye. Literally translated to English, it is ‘eye-blink’.
11. Geborgenheit
Once this word was actually voted the second most beautiful in the German language, and it is considered impossible to translate! It is a feeling strongly associated with artists, often felt at intensely emotional moments, such as returning home at a long time, or holding someone you love close. It basically means to exist and feel intensely in the moment.
Are you convinced? Do you know any other beautiful German words? Or maybe you are more into funny German words?
Oh, One More Thing…
If you enjoyed learning some of these pretty German words and want to expand your communication to new languages, check out our article on beautiful Japanese words! On the other hand, if you’re interested in learning more German or taking it to the next level, download the Tandem!
Tandem is a unique language learning app that’s helped people around the world gain fluency in over 300 languages. With millions of members, Tandem is the largest global language learning community out there! Tandem lets you connect with native German speakers all over the world, and practice speaking German via text, voice notes, and video calling. Immerse yourself in the German language and culture, and speak your way to fluency, for free!
More of a traveler? Connect with native German speakers ahead of your trip by using the “search by city” Pro feature, or the “near me” Pro feature for when you are already there! Still getting your head around the German language? Use our in-app translation feature to help compose a message or translate an incoming one. Correct your Tandem partner’s message or add a comment to help them learn and progress. Still not sure about German pronunciation? Simply tap on the message you want to hear and choose the “speak” option. Einfach!
Download Tandem and master the German language today!