Germany is a big country with tons of diversity and an expansive territory. You can take a swim in the North Sea at Germany’s island of Sylt, go skiing in the Bavarian Alps, or even check out Berlin’s East Side Gallery to see some murals from the post-WWII era. All of this and more makes Germany an appealing country to visit as a tourist, especially thanks to the country’s abundance and variety of nature.  One of the most appealing elements of nature—and life in general—is animals. Picking up a few German animal names before your visit is sure to enhance your experience, especially if you plan to spend some time in the great outdoors.  Even if you never set foot in Germany, learning these basic words will take your... Show more

"If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart." Makes sense, right? When dating a German, it’s easy to get comfortable speaking to your partner in only English, especially as Germany classifies as one of the best non-native English-speaking countries. While this can help you keep a good line of communication, it can easily start to feel a little superficial for your German-speaking partner. From time to time, your relationship could benefit from expressing your love in German, their mother tongue. Speaking your partner’s native language will go right to their heart, and that will make it easier for you to build a connection with them in... Show more

Maybe you’re interested in learning German, but need a little extra motivation to take your language learning to the next level. Or perhaps you’ve already started on your German language learning journey and want to know all the amazing things you’ll be able to do once you’re fluent… Either way, you’ve come to the right place. To many people, German might sound like an unlikely choice as far as foreign languages go. So why learn German? I assure you there are plenty of reasons why learning German will prove to be a great investment.  Did you know, for example, that it’s the most widely spoken language in Europe? There, it has a stunning 100 million native speakers and it features as an official language in Austria, Germany,... Show more

Proverbs are popular sayings that provide a little dose of wisdom—a truth that is, sometimes, so obvious that it’s overlooked.  If you really want your language skills to shine, knowing some popular German proverbs is a great way to start. And of course, it will also help you fit in with the German locals and better understand their culture! In Germany, there’s a great variety of wisdom-infusing sayings—whether we’re talking about a lot of sausages, some bears and rabbits running around in forests, or some serious-sounding, deep stuff!  As we say, "There is no time like the present." So let’s get to it. These thirty popular German proverbs will add versatility and color to your spoken language, so that even locals will mistake... Show more

Have you ever visited a city filled with an eclectic mix of cultures, history, and wonderful sights, as well as a vibrant creative life? If the answer is no, then you should start thinking about a trip to the German capital. Even John F. Kennedy, the U.S. President, loved it!  "All free men, wherever they may live, are citizens of Berlin. And therefore, as a free man, I take pride in the words, ‘Ich bin ein Berliner!’ " But really, why should you visit Berlin? Imagine a hub of history, art, music, and graffiti that attracts millions of tourists annually. Sounds pretty good, right? Follow our Berlin travel guide and rest assured you’ll have an incredible experience.  We’ll keep it short by describing only the top ten places to... Show more

German learners often have to put up with native speakers who only ever speak English to them. After all, if you go up to a stranger in Berlin and start speaking English only, there’s a good chance you’ll hear English in response – often quite fluent English at that! But it’s not enough that you have to speak excellent German in order to get people to speak German with you at all. You’ve got to speak the right amount of English as well. Hence, our English words in German list.  You see, if you’re going to take part in German society at this point in the 21st century, you’ve got to reckon with the fact that Germans are international enough to already speak English at a high level. German-speakers from Cologne to Zurich can... Show more

"Culture" is a tricky word. It often comes up when talking about a foreign country, and all the different rituals and handicrafts immediately spring to mind. Woven baskets! Wooden shoes! Pretzels! The truth is, you have just as much culture as anybody else in the world. Culture is all about what you perceive as normal and what your society expects as a baseline—and that can be surprisingly different from place to place. We’ve created this guide to get you up to speed on the German culture basics and to give you a better understanding of life in German-speaking countries. Let’s dive in. Table of Contents Values and Beliefs Religions in Germany Family and Work Art Food German Beer Traditional Holidays ... Show more

https://www.youtube.com/embed/yKn5kPZCxwE Witches, sorcerers, costumes, tricks, and superstition...no, it’s not Halloween! We’re talking about Walpurgis night in Germany.  While you might not associate the beginning of spring with witchcraft and sorcery, this correlation has some interesting roots in numerous European countries. In this article, you’ll learn about the origins of this mystical holiday and how it’s celebrated today.  Let’s go! 1. What is Walpurgis Night? Walpurgis is a festival that takes place each year, beginning on the night of April 30 and ending on May 1. This festival is also common in a number of other European nations, including Sweden, Finland, the Czech Republic, and Estonia. ... Show more

Maybe you weren’t fortunate enough to grow up with German restaurants nearby or German relatives in the family. If not, you’ve missed out on some amazing food. German food is soul food by any definition: rich, hearty, and packed with flavor. Anyone who’s been to Germany would probably agree that visiting restaurants was the highlight of their trip! How well do you know your German food—and how well can you talk about it in German? In this article, you’ll get to know some brand-new dishes as well as some that you’ve probably sampled before. All the while, pay attention to the words used to describe them and their German names. You might find yourself picking up some important German vocabulary! Table of Contents ... Show more

German is a language with a long history of great writing. It’s no wonder that there are a lot of excellent quotes that have been passed down through the centuries! In order to help you become a more eloquent German speaker, GermanPod101 has compiled a list of the best German quotes in several different categories.  As you study these quotes, you’ll also start to make important connections concerning the grammatical structures being used. The end result? You’ll pick up German grammar without even realizing it! Table of Contents Quotes About Success Quotes About Life Quotes About Time Quotes About Love Quotes About Friendship Quotes About Food Quotes About Health Quotes About Language Learning ... Show more