Imagine that you’re traveling to good old Germany, and you want the real experience (not just staying in a hotel or hostel like everyone else). Well, this is fair enough, and we definitely encourage going for the full Germany experience. But first, you’ll need to know some basic family terms, like how to say “father” in German.

Why is it so important to know the words for family members in German? Imagine the following situation:

—

You arrive at your freshly booked Airbnb, and your host welcomes you with a nice dinner. But there’s one hitch: you find yourself eating with his parents, some friends, his cousin, and his grandmother, too. Your host starts to introduce everyone, pointing to each person as he states their name:

Ich möchte dich meinen Eltern vorstellen. Das sind mein Papa und meine Mutter. Und dort sitzt meine Großmutter und mein Cousin.

Despite your host’s best efforts to familiarize you with his family, you actually find yourself more confused about who’s who. Oh no!

—

While learning things like family member terms in German first-hand is always a great idea, you may be more comfortable studying up on this before your trip. After all, when it comes to family in German, words like the one in our example are going to come up all the time, so you should prepare using German lessons about family like this one!

GermanPod101 has prepared a guide just for you, covering vocabulary terms for any family member you may find yourself introduced to! Going through this guide, you can work on your language skills beforehand, so that you can make the most of your first-hand learning experiences in Germany. So let’s get started!

Table of Contents

1. Family in German – Die Familie
2. List of Closest Family Members + Basic Sentence Patterns
3. More Family and Endearment Terms
4. How to Talk about Family
5. Cultural Insights in a German Family
6. How GermanPod101 Can Help You Learn about Family in German

1. Family in German – Die Familie

Familie is the German word for “family.” As you can see, the word is more similar to English than you thought. Might this be because German families aren’t so different from those in the U.S. or other countries? Let’s take a look.

When you look over the demographics of Germany, you can clearly see that we are a dying nation. This means that every year, more people die than are being born, and our average age is getting older and older from year to year. (This is, of course, not exclusive to Germany, and is also happening in other first-world countries.)

I want to give you a short example of the above statistics using my family history. My grandmother was one of six children in her family at the end of the Second World War, and this was considered a normal-sized family. Now, my mom and dad are both one of three children. And today, there’s just me and my sister. From each of my uncles and aunties, I have between zero and three cousins.

Do you see what I mean? German families have become much smaller over the last seventy-eighty years. Today, people tend to think first about their lives and careers, and secondly about kids and family.

Families are the most important reference point for a child until the end of his or her time in college. But for many people, the end of college also represents a diminishing significance for their parents’ home. Keep in mind that I don’t want to say German kids don’t love their parents. Of course they do.

The family is, and will always be, important in Germany, so learn about it and adapt to it!

2. List of Closest Family Members + Basic Sentence Patterns

1- General Terms for German Immediate Family

We created an overview of the most important family in German vocabulary words, such as your siblings, parents, and grandparents. The German is on the left, and the English equivalent is on the right.

die Eltern	“the parents”
der Vater	“the father”
die Mutter	“the mother”
das Kind die Kinder	“the child” “the children”
die Geschwister	“the siblings”
die Schwester die Halbschwester	“the sister” “the half-sister”
der Bruder der Halbbruder	“the brother” “the half-brother”
der Sohn	“the son”
die Tochter	“the daughter”
die Ehefrau	“the wife”
der Ehemann	“the husband”
der Großvater der Opa	“the grandfather” “the grandpa”
die Großmutter die Oma	“the grandmother” “the grandma”

To help you out with some basic words and the pronunciation for family member terms, we created a free lesson in our free-of-charge course. With enough practice, you’ll be able to talk about your parents and siblings in German like it’s nothing!

2- Talking about Family Members

There are usually three situations when talking about family:

• You’re trying to talk about your family
• You’re talking about someone else’s family members
• You’re asking someone about their family

That means you need to describe who’s family you’re talking or inquiring about. This is done with possessives.

Similar to “my,” “yours,” “his” in English, in Germany we use meine, deine, and seine. To prepare you for the upcoming challenges associated with each of the situations outlined above, we’ve provided you with some basic questions and answers.

Wer ist deine Mutter? “Who is your mother?”	Das ist meine Mutter. “This is my mother.”
Sind deine Eltern verheiratet? “Are your parents married?”	Nein, meine Eltern sind geschieden. “No, my parents are divorced.”
Wie viele Geschwister hast du? “How many siblings do you have?”	Ich habe zwei Geschwister, zusammen sind wir 3 Kinder. “I have two siblings, together we are three kids.”
Hast du einen Bruder oder eine Schwester? “Do you have a brother or a sister?”	Ja, ich habe zwei Brüder und eine Schwester. “Yes, I have two brothers and one sister.”
Wie ist der Name deines Bruders? “What is the name of your brother?”	Mein Bruder heißt Peter. “My brother’s name is Peter.”
Wie alt sind deine Großeltern? “How old are your grandparents?”	Meine Oma ist 65 und mein Opa ist 70 Jahre alt. “My grandma is sixty-five and my grandpa is seventy years old.”
Ist sie deine Ehefrau? “Is she your wife?”	Ja, das ist meine Ehefrau Eva. “Yes, this is my wife Eva.”

Take a close look at how we used the possessive pronouns. They always have to be adapted to the person you’re talking about.

3. More Family and Endearment Terms

1- German Extended Family

Everybody has family members outside of their immediate family. Below, we give you some family member terms that you’ll face every day while living with a German family. We won’t go into too much detail, as the half-sister of your siblings’ aunt isn’t really interesting anymore.

der Onkel	“the uncle”
die Tante	“the aunt”
der Cousin [kuˈzɛŋ]	“the cousin” (m)
die Cousine	“the cousin” (f)
der Neffe	“the nephew”
die Nichte	“the niece”

This doesn’t seem too hard to understand, does it? With all of the terms we’ve gone over so far, you’re almost ready to talk about your family in various contexts. There are some more things we’ll cover in the next chapters, but what we have so far are the closest family members.

2- Endearment Terms

Families are cute, and you can always hear little grandsons or granddaughters calling their grandparents “granny” or “grandpa.” Those are just a couple examples of so-called endearment terms, and of course we have them in Germany as well.

We’ll show you two quick ways to create endearment terms, and give you some examples. Before we go on, we want to let you know that this doesn’t work with all family members the same way.

1. Adding an i

The first way to create endearment terms in Germany is to cut the last letter(s) of the term, and replace it with the letter i. It’s no mistake that we mentioned it can be the last letter or letters. When the term ends with a vowel, you replace only the last letter. In any other case, you need to replace the last two letters.

Here are some examples:

Mama -> Mami
“mother” -> “mom/mommy”

Mutter -> Mutti
“mother” -> “mom”

Papa -> Papi
“father” -> “daddy”

Vater -> Vati
“father” -> “dad”

Opa -> Opi
“grandmother” -> “granny”

Oma -> Omi
“grandfather” -> “grandpa”

But there are also examples where it doesn’t work, such as:

Onkel -> Onki
Tante -> Tanti
Großmutter -> Großmutti (theoretically this works, but you’re never going to use this)

2. Adding chen to the end of the word

This might be the better-known form for any German learner. This one is a bit trickier and has some special rules. The basic rule is that you just add chen after each term. But be aware that when doing this, in some cases, if the word ends with a vowel, you have to cut this vowel before adding the chen. Or, if the word has a vowel in-between, you change it to ü, ö, or ä (instead of u, o, a).

Good examples are:

Großmutter -> Großmütterchen (grandmother -> grandma)
Onkel -> Onkelchen
Tante -> Tantchen (aunt -> auntie)
Cousine -> Cousinchen

As you can see, sometimes there’s not even a proper English translation for the endearment term you can create in German. The good thing about this way of creating endearment terms is that you can use it with almost everything, and you’re not limited to people or family members. Take a look at these examples:

Bierchen from the word Bier (beer)
Tischchen from the word Tisch (table)
Tässchen from the word Tasse (cup)

4. How to Talk about Family

It’s quite easy to introduce your family to another person in German. Let’s imagine ourselves sitting around a large table, where all the family is eating together, and a friend of yours arrives for the first time. You both stand in front of the table.

Das ist meine Mutter und das mein Papa.	“This is my mother and this is my dad.”
Dort drüben sitzen meine Großeltern.	“Over there are sitting my grandparents.”
Neben ihnen siehst du den Bruder meiner Mama, meinen Onkel.	“Next to them, you can see the brother of my mother, my uncle.”
Mein Cousin, der Sohn meiner Tante ist heute nicht hier.	“My cousin, the son of my aunt, he is not here today.”
Meine Oma ist leider schon gestorben.	“My granny unfortunately has already passed away.”

5. Cultural Insights in a German Family

The family is, for most Germans, one of the fundamental aspects of their lives. The family is an important part of every German. Children usually grow up close to their grandparents (who sometimes take care of their grandchildren when the parents are at work). Further, trust is a big thing for German families. But even with this strong bond, Germans are moving out of their parents’ home quite early to study, work, and become financially independent.

We’ve already mentioned that most German families are fairly small compared to those in other countries. Family size strongly depends on where you live, though. For instance, in the countryside, it’s normal for multiple generations to live on a big farm together, or even more than one family from one generation.

So it can be possible to find houses with up to ten people in the more rural areas, but even there, everybody has their own space and flat. You can live there with your parents, your grandparents, and maybe even your uncle’s family.

In the city, the situation is typically different, and families don’t live together. Everybody has their own flat or house, and don’t see each other in daily life.

Traditionally, the man is the head of the family. But let’s face it: this isn’t really how it works anymore. Women enjoy the same rights as men, and all decisions are made as a couple, or even among the entire family including children.

In the old days, it was common for people to get married after living together for a while. Now, you can find couples that stay together their whole lives and never get married. But trends are now coming back to the traditional way.

For some more information about German culture, we’ve prepared another lesson for you.

6. How GermanPod101 Can Help You Learn about Family in German

We hope that you got some helpful insight from our article about families in Germany, such as how to talk about family members. You now know a little bit about the typical family situation in Germany today, and how people are organizing their daily lives.

You should be able to talk about your immediate and extended family, introduce them to others, and talk to someone about them.

If you want to really boost your German skills, then we recommend our private teacher program which focuses on your personal goals based on your current level.

But we won’t leave you without making a quick gift to you. We have free-of-charge courses on GermanPod101.com for learners of every level:

• Beginners
• Intermediate
• Advanced

Save yourself a spot today!

The First Sunday of Advent in Germany marks the beginning of a four-week-long celebration before Christmas. During Advent, Christians await the Second Coming of Christ with additional fervor and hope, and Germany’s more secular population enjoys the festivities and traditions leading up to Christmas.

In this article, you’ll learn about modern Advent traditions in Germany, what date it falls on, a little bit about the holiday’s origins, and other facts about Advent in Germany.

At GermanPod101.com, we aim to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative! What better way than by showing you one of the warmest and most significant holidays of the year?

1. What is Advent in Germany?

The word Advent means “arrival,” and during Advent, Christians prepare for the arrival of Jesus Christ. Once Advent begins, it also means that Christmas is near—much to the excitement of many children, who look forward to the holiday coziness and gifts that await them! During each Advent Sunday, Germany has many fun traditions that we’ll go over later.

While the origins of Advent Sunday aren’t well-known, some believe that it has roots in an ancient monk tradition of fasting from the beginning of December until Christmas. The actual Advent holiday is thought to have picked up around the fifth and sixth centuries, usually as a fast that people could choose to participate in to show devotion.

In 1963, Advent became the holiday that many people know it as today. The Second Vatican Council decided that the holiday would, from then on, focus much more on Jesus Christ’s return.

2. When is Advent?

The First Sunday of Advent falls on a different date each year, based on the church calendar (also called the liturgical year). It’s always four weeks before Christmas. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years.

• 2019: December 1
• 2020: November 29
• 2021: November 28
• 2022: November 27
• 2023: December 3
• 2024: December 1
• 2025: November 30
• 2026: November 29
• 2027: November 28
• 2028: December 3

3. How Do Germans Celebrate Advent?

If you happen to be in Germany during Advent, you’re going to find many homes and buildings lavishly decorated for the holiday. Common decorations include strung Christmas lights, stars, and Advent wreaths. The Advent wreath in Germany is decorated with four candles, which are usually red or white. On each Advent Sunday, another candle is lit.

In addition to making Christmas decorations, people send Christmas wishes, write wish lists, buy Christmas gifts, and bake Christmas cookies during the time of Advent. Among other cookies, butter cookies, vanilla cookies, shortbread biscuits, macaroons, and cinnamon stars are particularly popular. Imagine all the warm smells of baking, and all the cookie-sampling that surely goes on!

One of the most common Advent traditions in Germany is that of parents gifting Advent calendars to their children. From December 1 to 24, one of the twenty-four doors of the Advent calendar is opened each day. In the Advent calendar in Germany, there’s usually a small chocolate behind these “little doors” to shorten the waiting time until Christmas Eve.

Another pre-Christmas tradition is exchanging gifts. This usually takes place during the Christmas holidays with friends or colleagues. Gifts are exchanged as follows: The wrapped presents of all recipients are gathered so that by the end, everyone gets to pick a different gift.

In many cities, the decorated Christmas trees and hanging strings of lights reflect a festive atmosphere. Christmas markets attract numerous visitors and are a favorite rendezvous point during Advent. At the stalls, Christmas items, cookies, warm drinks, and light meals are offered. As for other Advent foods in Germany, there’s the smell of roasted almonds, hot chestnuts, and mulled wine (called Glühwein in German) everywhere, and sometimes you can hear the sounds of Christmas music.

4. Advent Sunday Songs

There are also a lot of songs and poems for Advent. Can you fill in the blank in this German Advent verse?

“Advent, Advent, a candle burns, first one, then two, then three, then four; then the ____ is standing in front of the door.”

The missing word in this famous children’s verse is Christkind or “Christ Child.”

5. Must-Know Vocabulary for Advent Sunday

Here’s some German vocabulary to memorize before the First Sunday of Advent!

• Gottesdienst — Church service
• Christliche Adventszeit — Advent season
• Katholisch — Catholic
• Evangelisch — Evangelical
• Lutherische Liturgie — Liturgy
• Jesu in Jerusalem — Jesus in Jerusalem
• Wiederkunft Christi — The return of Christ
• Johannes der Täufer — John the Baptist
• Maria — Mary
• Kirchenjahr — Church year

You can hear each of these words pronounced and read them alongside relevant images on our German Advent Sunday vocabulary list!

Final Thoughts

The First Sunday of Advent is a day that many Germans await all year long! There is something special about those end-of-the-year holidays, isn’t there?

What are your thoughts on the traditions of Advent in Germany? Does your country have similar Advent celebrations, or are they very different? We look forward to hearing from you!

Learning about a country’s culture may be the most fascinating and enriching aspects of trying to master its language. If you would like more cultural information on Germany, or perhaps some more vocabulary to practice throughout this autumn and winter, you may find the following pages on GermanPod101.com useful:

• German Culture
• German Eye Contact, Facial Expressions, and Hand Gestures
• Must-Know Autumn Vocabulary
• Words for Winter Snow Days
• Must-Know Christmas Day Vocabulary

Learning German doesn’t have to be overwhelming or stuffy. At GermanPod101, we do everything possible to make your learning experience both fun and effective! If you’re serious about mastering the language, get started right by creating your free lifetime account today!

Happy Advent!

You’re learning to speak German, and it’s going well. Your confidence is growing! So much so that you feel ready to share your experiences on social media—in German.

At Learn German, we make this easy for you to get it right the first time. Post like a boss with these phrases and guidelines, and get to practice your German in the process.

1. Talking about Your Restaurant Visit in German

Eating out is fun, and often an experience you’d like to share. Take a pic, and start a conversation on social media in German. Your friend will be amazed by your language skills…and perhaps your taste in restaurants!

Tom eats at a restaurant with his friends, posts an image of the group, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Tom ‘s post.

Gutes Essen mit guten Freunden!
“Good food with good friends!”

1- Gutes Essen

First is an expression meaning “Good food.”
A standard expression to refer to delicious food.

2- mit guten Freunden

Then comes the phrase – “with good friends.”
Repeating the adjective “good” instead of choosing a different positive adjective makes the sentence flow nicely and is quite common in social media.

COMMENTS

In response, Tom ‘s friends leave some comments.

1- Schön, ich wäre gerne dabei gewesen!

His girlfriend, Franziska, uses an expression meaning – “Nice, I would have liked to be there!”
Use this expression to partake in the conversation and also indicate that you’d have liked to be part of the group.

2- Sieht sehr lecker aus!

His neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “Looks very delicious!”
Use this comment to agree with the poster about the food.

3- Edel! Gefällt mir!

His college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “Noble! I like it!”
Another, pleasant way of saying the same as the previous two posters..

4- Nächstes Mal bin ich dabei!

His high school friend, Katharina, uses an expression meaning – “Next time I’ll be there!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling optimistic about joining the poster next time.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

gute Freunde: “good friends”

schön: “nice”

ich wäre gerne: “I would have liked to”

lecker: “delicious”

edel: “noble”

gefallen: “to like”

nächstes Mal: “next time “

dabei sein: “to join”

So, let’s practice a bit. If a friend posted something about having dinner with friends, which phrase would you use?

Now go visit a German restaurant, and wow the staff with your language skills!

2. Post about Your Mall Visit in German

Another super topic for social media is shopping—everybody does it, most everybody loves it, and your friends on social media are probably curious about your shopping sprees! Share these German phrases in posts when you visit a mall.

Franziska shops with her sister at the mall, posts an image of the two of them, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Franziska’s post.

Shoppen mit meinem Schwesterherz!
“Shopping with my sis!”

1- Shoppen

First is an expression meaning “Shopping.”
Comes from the English word “to shop” and is used only for shopping for clothes, shoes, etc., not for groceries. It is very commonly used.

2- mit meinem Schwesterherz

Then comes the phrase – “with my sis.”
Commonly used to refer to your sister. It is literally translated as “sister heart” and is a casual way of saying you are very close to your sister.

COMMENTS

In response, Franziska’s friends leave some comments.

1- Brauchst du wirklich noch mehr Schuhe?

Her boyfriend, Tom , uses an expression meaning – “Do you really need (even) more shoes?”
Use this expression to show your exasperation with your girlfriend’s shopping sprees. Probably best to reserve this for people who know you well, and understand that you’re not trying to be confrontational or critical in a harsh way.

2- Juhu! Shoppen ist immer gut!

Her high school friend, Lisa, uses an expression meaning – “Yay! Shopping is always good!”
Use these phrases to indicate you’re happy for the poster and what they’re busy with.

3- Ich kenn da ein paar echt gute Designerläden!

Her college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “I know a few really good designer shops!”
Use this expression to partake in the conversation, and to make a suggestion that might be useful to the poster.

4- War gestern Zahltag?

Her nephew, Mario, uses an expression meaning – “Was it payday yesterday?”
Use this expression to be humorous with a slightly sarcastic edge.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

shoppen: “to shop “

Schwesterherz: “sis”

brauchst du wirklich: “do you really need”

Schuh: “shoe”

juhu: “yay”

ist immer gut: “is always good”

ein paar echt gute: “a few really good”

Zahltag: “payday”

So, if a friend posted something about going shopping, which phrase would you use?

3. Talking about a Sport Day in German

Sports events, whether you’re the spectator or the sports person, offer fantastic opportunities for great social media posts. Learn some handy phrases and vocabulary to start a sport-on-the-beach conversation in German.

Tom plays with his friends at the beach, posts an image of the teams, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Tom ‘s post.

Es kann nur einen Sieger geben!
“There can only be one winner!”

1- Es kann nur einen geben

First is an expression meaning “there can only be one.”
On social media it is common to use one sentence expressions to capture people’s interest with as few words as possible. It is a common German expression often said in a joking way during tournaments or while watching sports or other competitions.

2- Sieger

Then comes the phrase – “winner.”
This means winner and can refer to any kind of competition.

COMMENTS

In response, Tom ‘s friends leave some comments.

1- Wart nur ab!

His college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “You just wait!”
Use this expression if you’re part of the competing team, and sees the poster’s comment as a friendly dare.

2- Viel Glück und viel Spaß!

His neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “Good luck and have fun!”
Use this phrase as a warmhearted wish to the players.

3- Aber bist du es?

His girlfriend’s nephew, Mario, uses an expression meaning – “But is it you?”
Use this expression to be humorous and teasing the poster.

4- Na da bin ich mal gespannt!

His girlfriend’s high school friend, Lisa, uses an expression meaning – “Well then I’m curious!”
Use this expression to express interest in the game and to be part of the conversation.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

Sieger: “winner”

Wart nur ab: “you just wait”

nur: “just”

viel Glück!: “good luck!”

viel Spaß!: “have fun!”

bist du es?: “is it you?”

na: “well”

gespannt sein: “to be curious”

Which phrase would you use if a friend posted something about sports?

But sport is not the only thing you can play! Play some music, and share it on social media.

4. Share a Song on Social Media in German

Music is the language of the soul, they say. So, don’t hold back—share what touches your soul with your friends!

Franziska shares a song she just heard at a party, posts an image of the artist, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Franziska’s post.

So viele Erinnerungen!
“So many memories!”

1- so viele

First is an expression meaning “so many.”
A casual remark that can be used whenever you unexpectedly find many of the same things in one place.

2- Erinnerungen

Then comes the phrase – “memories.”
It is quite common to use a short expression like “so many memories”, and not a full sentence such as “I have so many memories” or “This brings up so many memories.” These expressions are used to allude to something without going into detail, only for friends to pick up on what you are trying to say.

COMMENTS

In response, Franziska’s friends leave some comments.

1- Spielte man so was damals?

Her nephew, Mario, uses an expression meaning – “Did they used to play something like that back in the day?”
Use this expression to be playfully sarcastic about the poster’s choice of music. Humorous sarcasm on social media should always be reserved for people you know well, so as to avoid misunderstandings.

2- Ein sehr schönes Lied!

Her supervisor, Andreas, uses an expression meaning – “A very nice song!”
Use this expression to agree with the poster about the agreeability of the song.

3- Hihi ja ich erinnere mich!

Her high school friend, Lisa, uses an expression meaning – “Haha yes, I remember!”
Use this expression to indicate that the song is known to you.

4- Das werde ich mir gleich mal anhören.

Her neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “I’ll listen to it in a moment.”
Use this expression to indicate that you’re interested in the topic, and want to partake in the conversation.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

so viele: “so many”

so was: “something like that”

damals: “back in the days”

Lied: “song”

hihi: “haha”

sich erinnern: “to remember”

gleich: “in a moment”

anhören: “to listen to”

Which song would you share? And what would you say to a friend who posted something about sharing music or videos?

Now you know how to start a conversation about a song or a video on social media!

5. German Social Media Comments about a Concert

Still on the theme of music—visiting live concerts and shows just have to be shared with your friends. Here are some handy phrases and vocab to wow your followers in German!

Tom goes to a concert, posts an image of the band, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Tom ‘s post.

Die beste Band!
“The best band!”

1- Die beste

First is an expression meaning “the best.”
Describing something as “the best” is quite common on social media to show you really like something.

2- Band

Then comes the phrase – “band.”
This expression is very short and powerful. It is clear though that the poster is only talking about their own opinion. You can use any feminine nouns in this way.

COMMENTS

In response, Tom ‘s friends leave some comments.

1- Und unser Lied!

His girlfriend, Franziska, uses an expression meaning – “And our song!”
Use this expression to indicate to your boyfriend that you’re feeling sentimental about your shared song.

2- Na ja … beste …

His girlfriend’s nephew, Mario, uses an expression meaning – “Well … best … ”
Use this phrase to be slightly sarcastic, in a teasing way.

3- Die mochtest du schon immer!

His high school friend, Katharina, uses an expression meaning – “You always liked them!”
Use this chatty comment to indicate that you recognize the band’s importance to the poster.

4- Also mein Geschmack ist es nicht aber viel Spaß!

His supervisor, Andreas, uses an expression meaning – “Well, it isn’t my taste but have fun!”
Use this expression to share an opinion that differs from the poster’s but in a friendly way.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

die beste: “the best”

Band: “band”

unser Lied: “our song”

na ja: “well “

mögen: “to like”

schon immer: “always”

also: “well”

Geschmack: “taste”

If a friend posted something about a concert, which phrase would you use?

6. Talking about an Unfortunate Accident in German

Oh dear. You broke something by accident. Use these German phrases to start a thread on social media. Or maybe just to let your friends know why you are not contacting them!

Franziska accidentally breaks her mobile phone, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Franziska’s post.

Bin erstmal telefonisch nicht zu erreichen!
“For now, I’m not reachable by phone!”

1- Bin erstmal nicht zu erreichen

First is an expression meaning “For now I won’t be reachable.”
A standard sentence used when informing people that your phone is not working at the moment.

2- telefonisch

Then comes the phrase – “by telephone.”
Used whenever you do anything by phone. For example, ordering by telephone or telling someone you will get in touch by calling them. The ending indicates that something is done by/via something.

COMMENTS

In response, Franziska’s friends leave some comments.

1- Oh man was hast du jetzt schon wieder angestellt?

Her high school friend, Lisa, uses an expression meaning – “Oh man, what do you do now?”
Use this expression to indicate some exasperation and/or sympathy with the poster’s situation.

2- Das war sowieso alt! Zeit für ein neues!

Her college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “It was old anyway! Time for a new one!”
Use these phrases if you know the poster’s phone is broken (because this fact cannot be derived from her post), and want to be encouraging.

3- Wir haben aber noch eins zuhause rumliegen!

Her boyfriend, Tom , uses an expression meaning – “We still have one lying around at home!”
Like the comment above – use this phrase only if you know the phone has been lost or broken. The phrase indicates that you wish to be helpful.

4- Oh nein, hat dein Handy den Geist aufgegeben?

Her neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “Oh no, has your mobile phone become a ghost?”
Use this question if you’re not sure what happened to the poster’s phone, and wish for more information.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

erstmal: “for now”

oh man: “oh boy”

eh: “anyway”

Zeit für: “time for”

rumliegen: “to lie around”

zu Hause: “at home”

oh nein: “oh no”

den Geist aufgeben: “to give up the ghost (a common German saying used whenever a machine stops working)”

If a friend posted something about having broken something by accident, which phrase would you use?

So, now you know how to discuss an accident in German. Well done!

7. Chat about Your Boredom on Social Media in German

Sometimes, we’re just bored with how life goes. And to alleviate the boredom, we write about it on social media. Add some excitement to your posts by addressing your friends and followers in German!

Tom gets bored at home, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Tom ‘s post.

Was ist heute so los? Irgendwer unterwegs?
“What is happening today? Anybody out and about?”

1- Was ist heute so los?

First is an expression meaning “What is happening today?.”
This is a casual expression to ask about what is going on that day, usually followed by friends suggesting ideas.

2- Irgendwer unterwegs?

Then comes the phrase – “Anybody out and about?.”
This is a common social media expression as it is not a full sentence but is just asking if anybody is doing anything that the poster could join.

COMMENTS

In response, Tom ‘s friends leave some comments.

1- Komm mit den Jungs und mir mit in den Club!

His college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “Come to the club with the boys and me!”
Make this suggestion if you wish to be helpful, and invite the poster somewhere.

2- Wir könnten Essen gehen!

His girlfriend, Franziska, uses an expression meaning – “We could go out for dinner!”
Another suggestion if your boyfriend is bored, and you wish to be helpful and encouraging.

3- Entscheidungen, Entscheidungen. Triff die richtige!

His girlfriend’s nephew, Mario, uses an expression meaning – “Decisions, decisions. Make the right one!”
Use these phrases if you wish to tease the poster with a slightly sarcastic comment about the suggestions, perhaps.

4- Du bist immer herzlich eingeladen.

His high school friend, Katharina, uses an expression meaning – “You’re always (warmly) invited.”
Use this expression to warm heartedly invite the poster out too – another comment that shows you wish to be helpful.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

was ist los?: “what is happening?”

unterwegs: “out and about”

mitkommen: “to come with”

wir könnten: “we could”

Entscheidung: “decision”

richtig: “right”

immer : “always”

herzlich eingeladen.: “warmly invited”

If a friend posted something about being bored, which phrase would you use?

Still bored? Share another feeling and see if you can start a conversation!

8. Exhausted? Share It on Social Media in German

Sitting in public transport after work, feeling like chatting online? Well, converse in German about how you feel, and let your friends join in!

Franziska feels exhausted after a long day at work, posts an image of herself looking tired, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Franziska’s post.

Ich kann nicht mehr! Wann ist endlich Wochenende?
“I’m exhausted! When’s the weekend?”

1- Ich kann nicht mehr!

First is an expression meaning “I am exhausted!.”
Literally “I cannot anymore”. It is a very common expression that’s used when you are running and out of breath or stressed at work or school or just generally need a break.

2- Wann ist endlich Wochenende?

Then comes the phrase – “When is it finally the weekend?.”
This is a rhetorical question and is very commonly used, as everybody loves to talk about looking forward to the weekend.

COMMENTS

In response, Franziska’s friends leave some comments.

1- Dann koche ich heute!

Her boyfriend, Tom, uses an expression meaning – “Then I will cook today!”
Use this expression to be supportive and helpful to your girlfriend.

2- Oh nein, was ist denn da los?

Her high school friend, Lisa, uses an expression meaning – “Oh no, what’s going on there?”
Use this expression to indicate concern for your friend.

3- Tja kann ja nicht jeder Student sein!

Her nephew, Mario, uses an expression meaning – “Well, not everybody can be a student!”
Use this expression to joke with the poster, teasing them a bit.

4- Ist alles in Ordnung?

Her neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “Is everything ok?”
Use this expression to show your concern and worry about the poster’s wellbeing.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

können: “to be able to”

dann: “then”

kochen: “to cook”

ohjemine: “oh no”

was ist denn da los?: “what is going on there?”

Student: “student”

sein: “be”

in Ordnung: “ok”

If a friend posted something about being exhausted, which phrase would you use?

Now you know how to say you’re exhausted in German! Well done.

9. Talking about an Injury in German

So life happens, and you manage to hurt yourself during a soccer game. Very Tweet-worthy! Here’s how to do it in German.

Tom suffers a painful injury, posts an image of his foot, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Tom’s post.

Fuß eventuell gebrochen! Erstmal kein Fußball!
“Foot possibly broken! No football for now!”

1- Fuß eventuell gebrochen!

First is an expression meaning “Foot possibly broken!.”
This is a short statement giving the main facts. Men often seem to use short statements like this.

2- Erstmal kein Fußball!

Then comes the phrase – “No football for now!.”
This second statement is equally short and typical of social media. Not too much information, just the facts, afterwards friends usually ask for more details.

COMMENTS

In response, Tom ‘s friends leave some comments.

1- Was wird aus unserem Turnier am Wochenende?

His college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “What’ll become of our tournament this weekend?”
Ask this question to either make conversation (Cause the answer should be clear), or to really want information from the poster.

2- Mein armer Schatz!

His girlfriend, Franziska, uses an expression meaning – “My poor sweetheart!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling sorry for your boyfriend.

3- Das klingt gar nicht gut! Kann ich irgendwie helfen?

His neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “That doesn’t sound good at all! Can I help in any way?”
Use this expression to show your concern, and to offer help.

4- Du Tollpatsch! Das wird schon wieder!

His high school friend, Katharina, uses an expression meaning – “You klutz! It’ll be alright!”
Use this insult to show your sympathy while also being supportive and encouraging.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

Fuß: “foot”

Turnier: “tournament”

Wochenende: “weekend”

Schatz: “sweetheart”

irgendwie : “in any way”

helfen: “to help “

Tollpatsch: “klutz”

das wird schon wieder: “It will be alright”

If a friend posted something about being injured, which phrase would you use?

We love to share our fortunes and misfortunes; somehow that makes us feel connected to others.

10. Starting a Conversation Feeling Disappointed in German

Sometimes things don’t go the way we planned. Share your disappointment about this with your friends!

Franziska feels disappointed about today’s weather, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Franziska’s post.

Wann ist endlich Sommer?
“When is it finally summer?”

1- Wann ist endlich Sommer?

First is an expression meaning “When is it finally summer?.”
This is a very common expression used by many people, especially towards the end of winter or during spring. This is a rhetorical question, used to express the poster ́s negative feelings regarding the weather, not actually asking when summer starts.

2- Wann ist endlich Sommer?

Then comes the phrase – “When is it finally summer?.”
Many German people think summer is the best season and think it is too short and not hot enough (temperatures can vary anywhere between 15-35 degrees and it is not very consistent. One day might be hot and sunny, the next cool and rainy). Summer is seen as the time to get outdoors, go swimming or have BBQs. The long evenings (it gets dark at around 9pm in the middle of summer) are enjoyed because during the long winter there is not much sunshine and it gets dark in the afternoon.

COMMENTS

In response, Franziska’s friends leave some comments.

1- Ich komme gerade aus dem Urlaub. Irgendwo ist immer Sommer.

Her college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “I just got back from vacation. There’s always summer somewhere.”
Use these phrases to comment in a chatty way, sharing a bit of personal information.

2- Am Wochenende soll es schön werden!

Her supervisor, Andreas, uses an expression meaning – “It’s supposed to be nice on the weekend!”
Use this expression if you have encouraging news about the weather, with the purpose of being supportive.

3- Sommer, Sonne, Strand und Meer!

Her high school friend, Lisa, uses an expression meaning – “Summer, sun, beach and sea!”
Use this expression to stay part of the conversation.

4- Es wird jeden Tag heller!

Her neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “It gets lighter everyday!”
Use this expression if you wish to encourage the poster, and remind them that the end of the bad weather is close.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

endlich: “finally”

kommen: “to come”

sollen: “to be supposed to”

es: “it “

Strand: “beach”

Meer: “sea”

jeden Tag: “every day”

hell: “light”

How would you comment in German when a friend is disappointed?

Not all posts need to be about a negative feeling, though!

11. Talking about Your Relationship Status in German

Don’t just change your relationship status in Settings, talk about it!

Tom changes his status to “In a relationship”, posts an image of him and Franziska together, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Tom ‘s post.

Hinter jedem großen Mann stand immer eine liebende Frau.
“Behind every great man is (always) a loving woman.”

1- Hinter jedem großen Mann stand immer eine liebende Frau.

First is an expression meaning “Behind every great man is always a loving woman..”
This is a quote from Pablo Picasso. Quotes are quite common on social media to get people’s attention and portray your post in a certain light.

2- hinter jedem großen Mann

Then comes the phrase – “behind every great man .”
It usually means tall or big; however, in this case it is used as “great”.

COMMENTS

In response, Tom ‘s friends leave some comments.

1- Ich liebe dich!

His girlfriend, Franziska, uses an expression meaning – “I love you!”
Post this phrase if you like your boyfriend’s post, and if you love him, of course!

2- Oh das freut mich für euch!

His neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “Oh, I’m happy for you!”
Use this expression if you are feeling positive and happy for the couple.

3- Ihr seid so ein süßes Paar!

His high school friend, Katharina, uses an expression meaning – “You are such a cute couple!”
Use this expression if you feel optimistic about the relationship.

4- Alles Gute mein bester!

His college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “All the best buddy!”
Use this expression to tease the poster a bit.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

liebend: “loving”

lieben : “love “

oh: “oh”

sich freuen: “to be happy”

süß: “cute”

Paar: “couple”

Alles Gute: “All the best”

Alter: “buddy”

What would you say in German when a friend changes their relationship status?

Being in a good relationship with someone special is good news – don’t be shy to spread it!

12. Post about Getting Married in German

Wow, so things got serious, and you’re getting married. Congratulations! Or, your friend is getting married, so talk about this in German.

Franziska is getting married today, so she leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Franziska’s post.

Der schönste Tag meines Lebens!
“The most beautiful day of my life!”

1- Der schönste Tag meines Lebens!

First is an expression meaning “The most beautiful day of my life!.”
This expression is often used to mean somebody’s wedding day. People understand this is usually related to a wedding even if the posters don’t specifically say they are getting married.

2- der schönste Tag

Then comes the phrase – “the most beautiful day .”
“The most beautiful day” is a powerful statement. Usually people would say something like “it was such a beautiful day.” However, big events like weddings or the birth of a child often use superlatives like “the most beautiful”, “the best”, etc.

COMMENTS

In response, Franziska’s friends leave some comments.

1- Und auch der schönste Tag meines Lebens!

Her husband, Tom , uses an expression meaning – “And also the most beautiful day of my life!”
Use this phrase in response to your new wife’s post.

2- Ich bin so aufgeregt!

Her high school friend, Lisa, uses an expression meaning – “I’m so excited!”
Use this expression if you’re feeling very good about the pending wedding.

3- Endlich ist der Tag gekommen. Meine herzlichsten Glückwünsche!

Her neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “Finally, the day has come. My most heartfelt congratulations!”
Use this expression to show you have eagerly awaited the wedding, and want to warmly congratulate the couple.

4- Jetzt gibts kein Zurück mehr!

Her college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “Now there’s no turning back (anymore)!”
Use this expression to tease the couple in a good natured way.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

schön: “beautiful”

auch: “also”

Leben: “life”

aufgeregt: “excited”

endlich: “finally”

Glückwunsch: “congratulations”

zurück: “back”

mehr: “anymore”

How would you respond in German to a friend’s post about getting married?

For the next topic, fast forward about a year into the future after the marriage…

13. Announcing Big News in German

Wow, huge stuff is happening in your life! Announce it in German.

Tom finds out he and his wife are going to have a baby, posts an image of the two of them, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Tom ‘s post.

Aus zwei werden drei! Wir bekommen ein Baby.
“Two are becoming three! We are having a baby.”

1- Aus zwei werden drei!

First is an expression meaning “Two are becoming three!.”
This is a common expression that’s used to announce a pregnancy. Even if there is no “we are having a baby” added, people will usually guess that a baby is on the way.

2- Wir bekommen ein Baby.

Then comes the phrase – “We are having a baby..”
The verb used to express having a baby can literally be translated as “to get” or “to receive”.

COMMENTS

In response, Tom ‘s friends leave some comments.

1- Wir sind so glücklich!

His wife, Franziska, uses an expression meaning – “We are so happy!”
Use this expression to comment positively on your husband’s post about the pregnancy.

2- Herzlichen Glückwunsch! Das ist ein großes Ereignis in jedem Leben.

His supervisor, Andreas, uses an expression meaning – “Congratulations! That’s a big event in a person’s life.”
This is a traditional congratulation, as well as a friendly personal opinion about the event. Use it to keep the conversation going, as other posters may agree with you and share their opinions.

3- Tante Katharina babysittet gerne!

His high school friend, Katharina, uses an expression meaning – “Aunt Katharina is happy to babysit!”
Use this expression to show you are looking forward to the new arrival and hope to help taking care of the baby.

4- Jetzt wird alles anders!

His nephew, Mario, uses an expression meaning – “Now everything will be different!”
Use this expression to tease the posters by appearing pessimistic, using a fact.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

werden: “to become”

glücklich : “happy”

Ereignis: “event”

jeder: “every “

Tante: “aunt”

babysitten: “to babysit”

alles: “everything”

anders: “different”

Which phrase would you choose when a friend announces their pregnancy on social media?

So, talking about a pregnancy will get you a lot of traction on social media. But wait till you see the responses to babies!

14. Posting German Comments about Your Baby

Your bundle of joy is here, and you cannot keep quiet about it! Share your thoughts in German.

Franziska plays with her baby, posts an image of the little angel, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Franziska’s post.

Mein kleiner Sonnenschein!
“My little sunshine!”

1- Mein kleiner Sonnenschein!

An expression meaning “My little sunshine!.” This is a very common expression to refer to babies and small children. This can be used with any other masculine noun to mention that something is either small, such as “my little dog,” or smaller/younger than you, such as “my little brother”.

COMMENTS

In response, Franziska’s friends leave some comments.

1- Ganz der Papa!

Her high school friend, Lisa, uses an expression meaning – “Completely like Daddy!”
Use this comment to make conversation about the baby’s similarity to its father.

2- So ein schönes Bild.

Her neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “Such a beautiful picture.”
Use this expression if you appreciate the photo of mother and child.

3- So süß!

Her high school friend, Lisa, uses an expression meaning – “So cute!”
Use this expression to comment on the baby’s charm.

4- Wann übernimmt er die Firma?

Her college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “When is he taking over the company?”
Use this expression if you’re feeling humorous.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

Sonnenschein: “sunshine”

ganz : “completely”

Papa: “Daddy”

so ein: “such a “

Bild: “picture”

so süß: “so cute”

übernehmen: “to take over”

Firma: “company”

If your friend is a new mother or father, which phrase would you use on social media?

Congratulations, you know the basics of chatting about a baby in German! But we’re not done with families yet…

15. German Comments about a Family Reunion

Family reunions – some you love, some you hate. Share about it on your feed.

Tom goes to a family gathering, posts an image of the group, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Tom ‘s post.

Familie ist das wichtigste im Leben!
“Family is the most important thing in life!”

1- Familie ist das wichtigste im Leben!

An expression meaning “Family is the most important thing in life!.” Statements like this are quite common on social media. In this case, the article before the noun is not needed as it means family in general. By capitalizing the “w” you can change the word from an adjective to a noun.

COMMENTS

In response, Tom ‘s friends leave some comments.

1- Es war schön alle wiederzusehen!

His wife, Franziska, uses an expression meaning – “It was nice to see them all again!”
Use this expression to indicate your appreciation of the family.

2- Ich war nur wegen dem Essen da!

His nephew, Mario, uses an expression meaning – “I was just there for the food!”
Use this expression to be humorous with a negative comment. Use carefully, or you could come across as a spoil-sport.

3- Ja, den Kontakt mit seiner Familie muss man pflegen!

His supervisor, Andreas, uses an expression meaning – “Yes, one has to stay in touch with their family.”
Use this expression to agree with the poster’s sentiment.

4- Das sieht nach einem tollen Familienfest aus!

His neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “That looks like a great family celebration!”
Use this expression to indicate your appreciation of the poster’s family gathering.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

Familie: “family”

wiedersehen: “to see again”

nur: “just”

da sein: “to be there”

Kontakt: “contact”

pflegen: “to maintain”

aussehen: “to look like”

toll: “great”

Which phrase is your favorite to comment on a friend’s photo about a family reunion?

16. Post about Your Travel Plans in German

So, the family are going on holiday. Do you know to post and leave comments in German about being at the airport, waiting for a flight?

Franziska waits at the airport for her flight, posts a selfie, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Franziska’s post.

Zwei Wochen Sommer, Strand und Meer! Ich kann es gar nicht mehr abwarten!
“Two weeks of summer, beach and sea! I can’t wait!”

1- Zwei Wochen Sommer, Strand und Meer!

First is an expression meaning “Two weeks of summer, beach, and the sea!.”
This is a typical holiday post as the summer, beach and sea are often grouped into one expression. All of these words start with “s” in German, and this expression includes what many German people think is the essence of summer.

2- Ich kann es gar nicht mehr abwarten!

Then comes the phrase – “I can’t wait!.”
This is a very common expression to show you are excited about something, similar to the English “I can’t wait!”.

COMMENTS

In response, Franziska’s friends leave some comments.

1- Aber wir sind mal wieder viel zu früh am Flughafen!

Her husband, Tom, uses an expression meaning – “But we are at the airport way too early once again!”
Use this expression to share personal information.

2- Habt ihr all-inclusive gebucht?

Her college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “Did you book all-inclusive?”
Ask this question if you’re curious about the poster’s booking details, and to keep the conversation going.

3- Viel Spaß! Und keine Sorge, ich werde die Blumen gießen und den Briefkasten leeren!

Her neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “Have fun! And don’t worry, I will water the flowers and empty the mailbox!”
Use these phrases to wish the travellers well and be helpful taking care of their home. You will probably have arranged this with them beforehand!

4- Na dann weiß ich ja wo ich hin muss wenn ich sturmfrei haben will.

Her nephew, Mario, uses an expression meaning – “Well then I know where I have to go when I want to have the place to myself.”
Use this phrase to tease the poster with a mock-threat.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

abwarten: “to wait”

mal wieder: “once again”

Flughafen: “airport”

all-inclusive: “all-inclusive”

keine Sorge: “don’t worry”

gießen: “to water”

wissen: “to know”

sturmfrei haben: “to have the place to oneself”

Choose and memorize your best airport phrase in German!

Hopefully the rest of the trip is better!

17. Posting about an Interesting Find in German

So maybe you’re strolling around at a local market, and find something interesting. Here are some handy German phrases!

Tom finds an unusual item at a local market, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Tom ‘s post.

Weiß jemand was das hier ist?
“Does anyone know what this is?”

1- Weiß jemand

First is an expression meaning “does anyone know.”
This is a general statement, as it refers to anyone reading this that might know something.

2- was das hier ist

Then comes the phrase – “what this is.”
This is also a very general statement. This is commonly used when somebody has no idea what they have found.

COMMENTS

In response, Tom ‘s friends leave some comments.

1- Das frage ich mich auch!

His wife, Franziska, uses an expression meaning – “I am asking myself the same thing!”
Use this expression to indicate your interest in the topic, agree with the poster, and make conversation.

2- Nanu, was habt ihr denn da gefunden?

His neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “Oh wow, what have you found there?”
Use this expression to make conversation by asking a rhethorical question.

3- Ein Souvenir für mich?

His nephew, Mario, uses an expression meaning – “A souvenir for me?”
Use this expression if you’re expecting a gift from the poster.

4- Ist es wertvoll?

His college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “Is it valuable?”
Ask this question to indicate your interest in the topic, and would like to know more. Also a good way to keep the conversation going.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

wissen: “to know”

fragen: “to ask”

ich mich auch: “me too”

nanu: “oh wow”

finden: “to find”

Souvenir: “souvenir”

für mich: “for me”

wertvoll: “valuable”

Which phrase would you use to comment on a friend’s interesting find?

Perhaps you will even learn the identity of your find! Or perhaps you’re on holiday, and visiting interesting places…

18. Post about a Sightseeing Trip in German

Let your friends know what you’re up to in German, especially when visiting a remarkable place! Don’t forget the photo.

Franziska visits a famous landmark, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Franziska’s post.

Es mit eigenen Augen zu sehen ist wirklich beeindruckend!
“Seeing it with your own eyes is really impressive!”

1- Es mit eigenen Augen zu sehen

First is an expression meaning “to see it with your own eyes.”
This is a common expression that is used when you see something famous in person instead of on TV or in pictures.

2- ist wirklich beeindruckend

Then comes the phrase – “is really impressive.”
This is a common expression used when you are impressed by something.

COMMENTS

In response, Franziska’s friends leave some comments.

1- Einer der Höhepunkte unserer Reise finde ich!

Her husband, Tom , uses an expression meaning – “One of the highlights of our trip, I think!”
Use this comment if you’re in agreement with your wife about the landmark’s importance.

2- Postkarte bitte!

Her high school friend, Lisa, uses an expression meaning – “Postcard please!”
Use this phrase to indicate you’d like to receive a postcard from the poster of that location.

3- Oh wenn ich nochmal jung wäre würde ich glatt mitkommen!

Her supervisor, Andreas, uses an expression meaning – “Oh, if I was young again, I would even come with you!”
Use this comment if you wish it was possible for you to travel to that destination too.

4- Oh wirklich super!

Her husband’s high school friend, Katharina, uses an expression meaning – “Oh, really great!”
Use this expression to show you’re impressed and agree with the poster.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

beeindruckend: “impressive”

Höhepunkt: “highlight”

Reise: “trip”

Postkarte: “postcard”

bitte: “please”

jung: “young”

mitkommen: “to come along”

super: “great”

Which phrase would you prefer when a friend posts about a famous landmark?

Share your special places with the world. Or simply post about your relaxing experiences.

19. Post about Relaxing Somewhere in German

So you’re doing nothing yet you enjoy that too? Tell your social media friends about it in German!

Tom relaxes at a beautiful place, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

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Let’s break down Tom ‘s post.

Endlich kommt man mal zur Ruhe!
“Finally coming to a rest for once!”

1- Endlich mal

First is an expression meaning “Finally for once.”
This is a common expression. The “finally” indicates that they have been working hard or have been stressed for a while and now is a rare time to relax.

2- zur Ruhe kommen!

Then comes the phrase – “coming to a rest.”
This is a common expression used after people finish work or when they have been stressed or angry and are trying to calm down.

COMMENTS

In response, Tom ‘s friends leave some comments.

1- Sieht aus wie damals auf Klassenfahrt!

His high school friend, Katharina, uses an expression meaning – “Looks like back then on the class trip!”
Use this comment to remind the poster of a previous experience, probably in your youth together.

2- Nicht schlecht!

His nephew, Mario, uses an expression meaning – “Not bad!”
Use this expression to show you are rather impressed.

3- In der Ruhe liegt die Kraft!

His neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “The strength lies in serenity.”
This is a personal opinion about the poster’s situation.

4- Entspannung muss auch mal sein!

His supervisor, Andreas, uses an expression meaning – “Relaxation is needed sometimes!”
Use this expression to agree with the poster’s activity and even encourage them.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

zur Ruhe kommen: “come to a rest”

damals: “back then”

Klassenfahrt: “class trip”

schlecht: “bad”

Ruhe: “serenity”

Kraft: “strength”

Entspannung: “relaxation”

muss sein: “has to be”

Which phrase would you use to comment on a friend’s feed?

The break was great, but now it’s time to return home.

20. What to Say in German When You’re Home Again

And you’re back! What will you share with friends and followers?

Franziska returns home after a vacation, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Franziska’s post.

Endlich zuhause! Wir haben euch vermisst!
“Finally home! We missed you!”

1- Endlich zuhause!

First is an expression meaning “Finally home!”
This is a common expression used when returning home after a long day or a long trip.

2- Wir haben euch vermisst!

Then comes the phrase – “We missed you!”
This is very common amongst friends and family when someone is gone for a while.

COMMENTS

In response, Franziska’s friends leave some comments.

1- Auf zu neuen Taten!

Her husband, Tom, uses an expression meaning – “On to new things!”
Use this expression to make conversation.

2- Willkommen zurück! Es war so ruhig ohne euch!

Her neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “Welcome back! It was so quiet without you!”
This is a traditional welcome greeting for people returning from a trip, while also sharing a personal feeling or experience.

3- Du musst mir unbedingt alles erzählen! Kaffeekränzchen?

Her high school friend, Lisa, uses an expression meaning – “You really have to tell me everything! Coffee get-together?”
Use this expression to indicate that you’re curious about the poster’s trip and wish to know more about on a date.

4- Vielen Dank für den Urlaubsgruß!

Her supervisor, Andreas, uses an expression meaning – “Thank you very much for the greeting from (your) vacation!”
This is appropriate if the poster has sent you a postcard or perhaps a personal text during their holiday.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

vermissen: “to miss”

auf zu: “on to”

ruhig: “quiet”

ohne euch: “without you”

erzählen: “to tell”

Kaffeekränzchen: “coffee get-together”

vielen Dank: “thank you very much”

Urlaubsgruß: “greeting from vacation”

How would you welcome a friend back from a trip?

What do you post on social media on celebratory days such as Christmas and New Year?

21. It’s Time to Celebrate in German

It’s a holiday and you wish to post something about it on social media. What would you say?

Tom would like to share some good wishes. He posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Tom ‘s post.

Ich wünsche allen frohe Weihnachten und einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!
“I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!”

1- Ich wünsche allen frohe Weihnachten und einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr!

First is an expression meaning “I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!.”
This is the standard holiday greeting in Germany used throughout December. It is usually said during the days/week(s) before Christmas and includes “Happy New Year” since many people don’t see each other between Christmas and New Year, because that is often family time. On Christmas day people would only say “Merry Christmas”.

2- einen guten Rutsch ins neue Jahr

Then comes the phrase – “Happy New Year.”
The literal translation is “a good slide into the new year”. This is the most common New Year’s greeting before the New Year.

COMMENTS

In response, Tom ‘s friends leave some comments.

1- Unser erstes Weihnachten zu Dritt!

His wife, Franziska, uses an expression meaning – “Our first Christmas as three!”
Use this expression to show you are happy about an unofficial milestone as a family.

2- Heute Abend Glühwein?

His college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “Mulled wine tonight?”
Use this question to make a suggestion.

3- Es war schön euch gestern auf dem Weihnachtsmarkt zu treffen!

His high school friend, Katharina, uses an expression meaning – “It was nice meeting you at the Christmas market yesterday!”
Use these phrases if you have met the poster at a Christmas market, and want to comment on how pleasant the meeting was for you.

4- Ich bringe euch nachher Weihnachtskekse vorbei!

His neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “I will bring over Christmas cookies for you later on!”
Use this expression to make plans with the poster, and be generous.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

wünschen: “to wish”

Weihnachten: “Christmas”

Abend: “evening”

Glühwein: “mulled wine”

Weihnachtsmarkt: “Christmas market”

treffen: “to meet”

Weihnachtskekse: “Christmas cookies”

vorbeibringen: “to bring over”

If a friend posted something about a holiday, which phrase would you use?

Holidays are not the only special dates to remember!

22. Posting about a Birthday on Social Media in German

Your friend or you are celebrating your birthday in an unexpected way. Be sure to share this on social media!

Franziska goes to her birthday party, posts an image of the party, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Franziska’s post.

Und wieder ein Jahr älter! Aber Geburtstagsfeiern werden nie langweilig!
“And another year older again! But birthday parties will never get boring!”

1- Und wieder ein Jahr älter!

First is an expression meaning “And another year older again!.”
This is a common phrase used by adults to describe their birthdays.

2- Aber Geburtstagsfeiern werden nie langweilig!

Then comes the phrase – “But birthday parties will never get boring!.”
In Germany, children often bring cake or sweets to school on their birthday. Saying “Happy Birthday” before the actual day is considered bad luck, and German people would never celebrate a birthday early.

COMMENTS

In response, Franziska’s friends leave some comments.

1- Nur das Beste für das neue Lebensjahr! Mögen alle deine Wünsche in Erfüllung gehen!

Her neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “Only the best for your new year of life! May all your wishes come true!”
Use these are warm birthday wishes to the poster.

2- Tja, wir werden nicht jünger was?

Her nephew, Mario, uses an expression meaning – “Well, we’re not getting younger, hmm?”
Use this expression to tease the poster.

3- Wir sind wie gute Weine! Wir werden besser mit dem Alter!

Her high school friend, Lisa, uses an expression meaning – “We are like good wine! We get better with age!”
Use this expression to positively comment on the poster’s improved appearance and being.

4- Alles Gute! Ich freu mich auf die Party!

Her husband’s high school friend, Katharina, uses an expression meaning – “All the best! I am looking forward to the party!”
Post this if you are on your way to the poster’s party, and are congratulating them in advance.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

und wieder: “and again”

nur das Beste: “only the best”

in Erfüllung gehen: “to come true”

tja: “well”

was?: “hmm?”

Wein: “wine”

Alter: “age”

Party : “party “

If a friend posted something about a birthday, which phrase would you use?

23. Talking about New Year on Social Media in German

Impress your friends with your German New Year’s wishes this year. Learn the phrases easily!

Tom celebrates the New Year, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Tom ‘s post.

Frohes Neues Jahr! Wer hat gute Vorsätze fürs neue Jahr?
“Happy New Year! Who has resolutions for the new year?”

1- Frohes Neues Jahr!

First is an expression meaning “Happy New Year!.”
This is said at midnight and during the first few days of the new year.

2- Wer hat gute Vorsätze fürs neue Jahr?

Then comes the phrase – “Who has resolutions for the new year?.”
Literally this means “good resolutions” or “good intentions”. It is the standard expression to use when people talk about New Year’s resolutions.

COMMENTS

In response, Tom ‘s friends leave some comments.

1- Frohes Neues Jahr! Jeder kann an sich arbeiten und heute ist der beste Tag damit anzufangen!

His neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “Happy New Year! Everybody can work on themselves and today is the best day to begin!”
This is a traditional New Year wish, and a personal opinion about New Year’s resolutions.

2- Auf ein weiteres erfolgreiches Jahr!

His college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “To another successful year!”
This is a salutation of and wish for the New Year.

3- Frohes Neues Jahr! Ich bin mir sicher es wird ein gutes Jahr!

His high school friend, Katharina, uses an expression meaning – “Happy New Year! I am sure it will be a good year!”
This is again the traditional New Year’s wish, plus a personal opinion.

4- Zählt “mehr Mädelsurlaube mit deiner Frau” als guter Vorsatz?

His wife’s high school friend, Lisa, uses an expression meaning – “Does “more girl holidays with your wife” count as a resolution?”
Use this expression to be funny.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

haben: “to have”

anfangen: “to begin “

auf ein weiteres : “to another”

erfolgreich: “successful “

sich sicher sein: “to be sure”

Jahr: “year”

zählen: “count”

Mädelsurlaub: “girls’ holiday”

Which is your favorite phrase to post on social media during New Year?

But before New Year’s Day comes another important day…

24. What to Post on Christmas Day in German

What will you say in German about Christmas?

Franziska celebrates Christmas with her family, posts an image of it, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Franziska’s post.

Frohe Weihnachten! Ich hoffe jeder feiert mit seinen Lieben und findet viele Geschenke unter dem Weihnachtsbaum!
“Merry Christmas! I hope everyone celebrates with their loved ones and finds a lot of presents under the Christmas tree!”

1- Frohe Weihnachten! Ich hoffe jeder feiert mit seinen Lieben

First is an expression meaning “Merry Christmas! I hope everyone celebrates with their loved ones .”
It is common to say that you hope everyone is celebrating with their loved ones.

2- und findet viele Geschenke unter dem Weihnachtsbaum!

Then comes the phrase – “and finds a lot of presents under the Christmas tree!.”
Saying you hope that people will find many presents under the Christmas tree is a very common expression related to Christmas. In Germany, presents are opened on the evening of the 24th of December.

COMMENTS

In response, Franziska’s friends leave some comments.

1- Der Weihnachtsmann hat mich wohl dieses Jahr vergessen!

Her nephew, Mario, uses an expression meaning – “Santa Claus seems to have forgotten me this year!”
Use this expression to show you are feeling excluded.

2- Wir haben immer jede Menge Essen übrig also kommt ruhig vorbei in den nächsten Tagen!

Her neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “We always have plenty of food left over so don’t hesitate to come over in the next few days!”
Use this expression as an invitation to the poster to visit for casual meals.

3- Frohe Weihnachten an die ganze Familie! Vielleicht sieht man sich in der Kirche?

Her supervisor, Andreas, uses an expression meaning – “Merry Christmas to the whole family! Maybe we will see each other at church?”
This is a traditional Christmas wish to the whole family. Use the question only if you are going to church yourself.

4- Ich hab deine Geschenke schon ausgepackt! Woher wusstest du, dass ich genau das haben wollte?

Her high school friend, Lisa, uses an expression meaning – “I have already opened your presents! How did you know exactly what I wanted?”
Use this expression to show your appreciation for the poster’s gift.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

Weihnachtsbaum: “Christmas tree”

Weihnachtsmann: “Santa Claus”

jede Menge: “plenty of “

in den nächsten Tagen: “in the next few days”

vielleicht: “maybe”

Kirche: “church”

Geschenke auspacken: “open presents”

haben wollen: “to want to have”

If a friend posted something about Christmas greetings, which phrase would you use?

So, the festive season is over! Yet, there will always be other days, besides a birthday, to wish someone well.

25. Post about Your Anniversary in German

Some things deserve to be celebrated, like wedding anniversaries. Learn which German phrases are meaningful and best suited for this purpose!

Tom celebrates his wedding anniversary with his wife, posts an image of them together, and leaves this comment:

POST

Let’s break down Tom ‘s post.

Ein ereignisreiches Jahr! Auf die Zukunft!
“An eventful year! To the future!”

1- Ein ereignisreiches Jahr!

First is an expression meaning “An eventful year!.”
This is a common expression. The literal translation is “a year rich in events” or “a year rich in happenings”. It can be used both for good and not so good experiences, as it simply means a lot has happened, not necessarily all good.

2- Auf die Zukunft!

Then comes the phrase – “To the future!.”
This is a common toast. It can be used for anniversaries, in business, or in general when friends are out having a drink. It is a very broad statement.

COMMENTS

In response, Tom ‘s friends leave some comments.

1- Ein wunderbares Jahr! Auf viele weitere!

His wife, Franziska, uses an expression meaning – “A wonderful year! To many more!”
Use these phrases if you agree with your husband’s post.

2- Ist der Junggesellenabschied wirklich schon so lange her?

His college friend, Cem, uses an expression meaning – “Was the bachelor party really that long ago?”
Use this expression to reminisce and point out how fast the time went.

3- Auf viele weitere harmonische Jahre zusammen!

His high school friend, Katharina, uses an expression meaning – “To many more harmonious years together!”
Use this expression to wish the couple well.

4- Feiert schön!

His neighbor, Tanja, uses an expression meaning – “Have fun celebrating!”
Use this expression to wish the couple merry celebrations.

VOCABULARY

Find below the key vocabulary for this lesson:

Zukunft: “future “

wunderbar: “wonderful”

viele weitere: “many more”

Junggesellenabschied: “bachelor party”

lange her sein: “to be a long time ago”

harmonisch: “harmonious”

zusammen: “together”

feiern: “to celebrate “

If a friend posted something about Anniversary greetings, which phrase would you use?

Conclusion

Learning to speak a new language will always be easier once you know key phrases that everybody uses. These would include commonly used expressions for congratulations and best wishes, etc.

Master these in fun ways with Learn German! We offer a variety of tools to individualize your learning experience, including using cell phone apps, audiobooks, iBooks and many more. Never wonder again what to say on social media!

Did you do it? Well, you’d better fess up.

Or make amends, apologize, beg forgiveness, admit guilt, cop a plea…say sorry.

We’ve got a lot of ways to talk about doing this in English, just like we do for lots of everyday concepts. And yes, apologizing is an everyday concept, even if you’re a good person.

For that reason, it’s important that you learn how to say “sorry” in German. Imagine yourself making several different mistakes, then consult this guide to see exactly how you should atone for each one.

We’ll also break down the language for you so you can understand what you’re saying. All the better for a sincere apology.

Now, the big question:

What have you done?
Was hast du gemacht?

1. Level 1: You Made a Careless Mistake but it was Okay
2. Level 2: You Made a Careless Mistake and it was Really Bad
3. Level 3: You Hurt Someone but They’ll Get Over It
4. Level 4: You Knowingly Hurt Someone and it was Really Bad
5. Bonus: Sorry When You Don’t Mean Sorry
6. Conclusion

1. Level 1: You Made a Careless Mistake but it was Okay

1- You’re Sitting in Someone’s Seat (Du sitzt in dem Platz von jemandem anderen)

Germany is famous for its public transportation and the quality of its trains.

Even in such a well-run system, it’s still possible for mistakes to be made about tickets.

Somebody may approach you and say:

– Entschuldigung, aber das ist mein Platz.
– Sorry, but that’s my seat.

To which you can simply reply:

– Entschuldigung!
– Excuse me!

This first word is interesting. Let’s look at it, because you’ll hear and use it a lot.

It translates pretty well to “excuse me” in English, but why is it so long? We can break it up into ent-schuld-ig-ung with the root, schuld, meaning “guilt” or “fault.” Each of the other parts changes the meaning slightly.

The ent– prefix adds the sense of “removal” to whatever comes after. –ig turns a noun into an adjective, so schuldig means guilty or at fault. And –ung turns it into a noun—think “guilt.”

Therefore, if we really dissect it, the word for “excuse me” in German is kind of like saying “removal of guilt.” Pretty neat! The more German you learn, the more you’ll be able to easily parse long words like this.

So if you’re wondering how to say “sorry to bother you” in German or want to know German for “sorry for the inconvenience,” this is a good option.

And yes, you can use Entschuldigung both to get someone’s attention and to offer an apology. I suppose London isn’t that far from Germany after all. Let’s move on.

2- You Stepped on Someone’s Foot (Du bist jemandem auf den Fuss getreten)

We’ve all done it. Whether at a crowded bar or in a crowded train, accidents like this happen.

This is another great place to bust out the Entschuldigung. Plenty of English speakers would do the same thing—“Oh, excuse me!”

Lots of people also say “oops” for the same situation. In Germany, they make the same sound, but it’s spelled Ups!

– Ups! Entschuldigung!
– Oops! Sorry!

You don’t need to make a big deal out of little mishaps like that.

You’ll probably hear a quick and friendly Kein Ding, meaning “it’s nothing” or “no problem.”

But what if the mishap was slightly larger?

2. Level 2: You Made a Careless Mistake and it was Really Bad

1- You Knocked a Hot Drink All Over Somebody (Du hast ein heisses Getränk auf jemanden geschüttet)

Autsch! Well, you didn’t mean it. And they probably needed to wash that shirt anyway. Still, you can’t brush something like that off with an Entschuldigung alone. Instead:

– Ach nein! Entschuldigung! Tut mir Leid!
– Oh no! Sorry! So sorry!

Tut mir Leid is another extremely common phrase that you’ll see a few times in this article. It’s a shortened form of es tut mir Leid, which literally means “it does me sorrow.” That sounds pretty hefty in translation, but of course it doesn’t carry that strong of a connotation in German.

You’ll probably want to do something to help rectify the situation, like saying:

– Ich hole Ihnen eine Serviette.
– “I’ll get you (some) napkins.”

Or better, if you’re able to:

– Ich kaufe Ihnen … [einen neuen Kaffee, ein neues Bier].
– I’ll buy you [a new coffee, a new beer].

Here we’re using the formal Sie (seen here in its grammatical form Ihnen) because this situation is much more likely to happen to people that you don’t know. And when you’ve just ruined someone’s morning, you’ll want to be as polite as possible.

If you’re not in range of a coffee shop/biergarten, this step isn’t necessary. Something that you might need to replace, though, is…

2- You Dropped Someone’s Phone and the Screen Cracked (Du hast das Handy von jemandem fallen lassen und der Bildschirm ist zerbrochen)

Yeah, you’re gonna need to offer some assistance here. First, start off with:

– Es tut mir wirklich Leid!
– I’m really so sorry!

Then try to do what you can to fix the situation.

– Ich kenne jemanden, der das in Ordnung bringen kann.
– “I know someone who can fix it.”

If you’re borrowing someone’s phone it’s probably a friend’s, so you can suggest:

– Es war meine Schuld. Ich werde es zur Reperatur bringen.
– It was my fault. I’ll get it repaired.

There’s that word Schuld again from Entschuldigung. While Entschuldigung (despite its length) is a light and common word, to use the root Schuld is more serious and comes out when there’s someone to blame for something.

3- You Made a Business Mistake and Cost Your Company Clients (Du hast einen Fehler bei der Arbeit gemacht und deine Firma um Kunden gebracht)

Here’s a chance to make amends using much more formal language than in the other examples. Depending on your business, this might be something that can be easily forgiven or it might merit some kind of punishment.

Better to err on the safe side when you fess up.

– Ich hoffe, dass Sie meine aufrichtige Entschuldigung akzeptieren.
– I hope you accept my sincere apologies.

Here we’ve again used the formal Sie and used a great set phrase, aufrichtige Entschuldigung. Now to convince your boss not to give you the boot immediately:

– Ich verspreche, dass ich in Zukunft vorsichtiger sein werde.
– I promise to be more careful in the future.

Vorsicht is another word we can take apart quite cleanly. Sicht means “sight,” and vor is a preposition meaning “before.” So before-sight literally means “caution” or “attention,” and sure enough the word Vorsicht! is often printed in big letters on danger signs all over Europe.

3. Level 3: You Hurt Someone but They’ll Get Over It

1- You Ate the Last of Your Roommate’s Food (Du hast das letzte Essen deines Mitbewohners gegessen)

Oh gosh. That can actually be pretty rude in Germany, where people are more used to their privacy and personal space.

The best thing to do is to apologize sincerely.

– Es tut mir Leid. Ich hätte das nicht tun sollen.
– I’m very sorry. I shouldn’t have done that.

This is a great example of how the German language can stack up verbs at the end of the sentence. This article isn’t going to go into depth about German verbs and how they work, but I’ll tell you that this is the memory anchor I use to talk about this tense.

Anytime I want to express “shouldn’t have […],” I think about the phrase “I shouldn’t have done it,” and remember how the verbs are ordered. This is faster than applying a list of rules!

In any case, your roommate has probably lost some trust in you. That’s only natural—those cookies were homemade! So you should try to convince them that you’ll change. Here are two great sentences for that:

– Ich werde das nie wieder tun.
– I’ll never do it again.

– Wie wäre es, wenn ich dir ein Abendessen koche?
– How about I cook you dinner?

This is another perfect phrase you can fit into a lot of situations. “How about if…” / wie wäre es, wenn…

How about if you were on the other side of that situation—and you overreacted?

2- You Got Angry and Shouted at a Friend (Du bist wütend auf einen Freund geworden und hast ihn/sie angeschriehen)

This is a perfect situation to use that “I shouldn’t have done it” phrase. In addition, you might also try explaining why you were so hurt.

– Ich war schlecht gelaunt, also…
– I was in a bad mood, so…

– Ich war wütend auf dich, weil…
– I was angry at you because…

But just explaining why you lost your temper doesn’t always go far enough. You’ll also have to apologize sincerely (try once more with es tut mir Leid).

Depending on the relationship you have with your friend, it may be appropriate to promise that you won’t do it again. Displays of anger really don’t tend to fit in with German culture, and they may have a bigger effect on your friends than you realize.

4. Level 4: You Knowingly Hurt Someone and it was Really Bad

Oh, dear reader, why do you do these things?

1- Somebody Lost their Job Because of You (Wegen dir hat jemand seinen Job verloren)

This would probably be a situation where a lengthy letter of apology is more appropriate than a couple of phrases. And you might want to wait a little bit to give them time to cool off.

Keeping in mind that what you say is going to hinge on your individual circumstances, here are some good things you can try to work into your apology.

– Ich habe einen schrecklichen Fehler (bei der Beurteilung) begangen.
– I made a terrible mistake (in judgment).

– Bitte nehmen Sie meine Entschuldigung an.
– Please accept my apology.

Once more, because this is a work environment, you’ll want to use Sie. Even if you previously used du with that person, if your mistake has really caused a rift between you, it may seem rude to address them with du.

2- You Stole Something from a Friend or Family Member (Du hast irgendetwas von einem Freund oder einem Familienmitglied gestohlen)

Remember that handy phrase from earlier, “I shouldn’t have done it”? Your mistakes here have now provided you with the opportunity to get more German practice in by explaining exactly what it was that you shouldn’t have done.

– Ich hätte es nicht nehmen sollen, ohne zu fragen.
– I shouldn’t have taken it without asking.

Not only that, though, you did something pretty bad. That means that you’ve got to acknowledge that fact in clear and direct language. It’s no good to beat around the bush here—in Germany, blunt honesty about your own faults is the best policy.

– Es war falsch von mir.
– I was very wrong to do it.

Last, let’s add a bit about how much your evil deeds have hurt you too.

– Ich habe dich verletzt, und das tut mir furchtbar Leid.
– I hurt you and I feel awful about it.

Words, of course, are only words. Time will tell if you’ve really changed, and that’s what makes the biggest difference when you apologize.

5. Bonus: Sorry When You Don’t Mean Sorry

No, I’m not talking about being unrepentant!

There’s one other time when English-speakers commonly say “Sorry,” and that’s when they don’t hear something clearly.

In German, as in many other European languages, this is expressed with the word for “how,” not the word for “what” as in English.

– Wie bitte?
– Sorry? / What did you say?

If you didn’t quite hear something clearly (or you’ve slacked off on your vocab study) then saying wie bitte will let people know they need to speak up a bit.

The nuances of bitte deserve their own post. Suffice it to say that it often means “please” or just adds a flair of politeness to everyday interactions, such as:

– Bitte schön!
– Here you go!

You’ll hear this all the time in cafes or grocery stores in Germany. Any time you’re handing something over to somebody else, use this phrase and you can’t go wrong.

Conclusion

Apologies are complex things that rarely conform to a guide.

It’s easy enough to say “oops, excuse me” for little things, but larger mistakes take skill in interpersonal communication more than anything else.

A really great way to pick up on these social cues (which may be quite different in Germany than what you’re used to) is to watch plenty of TV in German. Somebody’s always apologizing for something in a soap opera!

One thing’s for sure: If you ever find yourself in that situation, the more prepared you are, the better. If all goes well, your honest feelings and heartfelt words will save the day.

If you’d like to learn more about German culture, as well as additional vocabulary, be sure to visit us at GermanPod101.com! Also check out our online community forums to discuss lessons with fellow German-learners, and download our MyTeacher app for a one-on-one learning experience.

We here at GermanPod101.com hope that this article gave you the tools you need to apologize in German. Remember, practice makes perfect. So go step on someone’s foot and tell them sorry in German. (No, please don’t!)

Author: Yassir Sahnoun is a HubSpot certified content strategist, copywriter and polyglot who works with language learning companies. He helps companies attract sales using content strategy, copywriting, blogging, email marketing & more.

At one point, Germany was divided into two sections, separated by the Berlin Wall. This division had many negative effects on Germans of both sides, including the inability to visit friends or family living on the opposite side. In 1990, the Berlin Wall fell at last, reuniting the two sides of Germany, and thus making the country what it is today.

In this article, we’ll be going over some more-detailed history leading up to the fall of the Berlin Wall and German Unity Day 1990, as well as current celebrations of this day. You’ll also learn additional facts about German Unity Day, such as why the holiday’s date was chosen.

Knowing this facet of German’s history will give you much insight into the Germany of today, and make your German learning that much more meaningful.

At GermanPod101.com, we hope to make every aspect of your language-learning journey both fun and informative!

1. German Unity Day History: What is Unity Day?

Germany was divided into two states before the fall of the Berlin wall—the German Democratic Republic (GDR) and the Federal Republic of Germany (FRG). Since reunification in 1990, the East German states have again been a part of the Federal Republic.

The East German government erected the Berlin Wall on the night of August 12 and 13, 1961, because they wanted to prevent the escape of people to the Western part. The wall tore families who lived in East and West Berlin apart and made it impossible to visit friends and relatives. While the East German population could not legally travel to the West, even the West German population had the option of traveling to East Berlin through certain transit routes only.

In the GDR, frequent protests were held in 1989. Many citizens called for “freedom to travel instead of mass exodus” and declared their displeasure in prayers for peace, among others, at the Nikolai Church in Leipzig. The motto of the Monday demonstrations was “We are the people!” The peaceful revolution developed into a mass movement across the GDR and thus increased the pressure on the government of the GDR to remove the Berlin Wall on November 9, 1989.

2. When is Unity Day of Germany?

Each year, Germans celebrate the German Unity Day on October 3.

3. German Unity Celebrations

A street festival is held every year in different state capitals of Germany, which is also called the Ländermeile (State Mile), and where everyone celebrates the reunification of Germany. For a few years, people also visit Berlin Concerts at the Brandenburg Gate and Straße des 17. Juni.

The term Ostalgie, which is a portmanteau of “east” and “nostalgia,” describes the currently existing curiosity about the East German way of life and the interest in former East German products such as the Trabant or Ampelmännchen (the walking figure seen in pedestrian traffic lights).

4. Why October 3?

Why was October 3 chosen as the German Unity Day holiday?

With the signing of the contract agreement, the reunification of Germany took place on October 3, 1990. November 9 has some negative connotations because of other historical events, so October 3 was chosen as the Day of German Unity.

5. Essential Vocabulary for German Unity Day

Here’s a glimpse of the vocabulary you need to know for Unity Day in Germany!

• Berlin — Berlin
• Thüringen — Thuringia
• Sachsen-Anhalt — Saxony-Anhalt
• Mecklenburg-Vorpommern — Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania
• 3. Oktober — October 3
• Einigungsvertrag — German reunification treaty
• Nationalfeiertag — National holiday
• Deutsche Wiedervereinigung — German reunification
• Brandenburg — Brandenburg
• Sachsen-Anhalt — Sachsen-Anhalt
• Neue Länder — New states of Germany
• Bundesrepublik Deutschland — Federal Republic of Germany
• Zwei-plus-Vier-Vertrag — Two plus Four Treaty

To hear each vocabulary word pronounced and accompanied by a relevant image, check out our German Unity Day vocabulary list!

How GermanPod101 Can Help You Learn About German Culture

What are your thoughts on this German holiday, and the history of division behind it? What’s the most important holiday in your own country? Let us know in the comments; we look forward to hearing from you!

To continue learning about German culture and the language, explore GermanPod101.com. We provide an array of fun and effective learning tools for every learner, at every level:

• Insightful blog posts on a variety of cultural and language-related topics
• Free vocabulary lists covering a range of topics and themes
• Podcasts and videos to improve your listening and pronunciation skills
• Mobile apps to learn German anywhere, on your own time
• Much, much more!

If you’re interested in a more one-on-one learning approach, be sure to upgrade to Premium Plus. Doing so will give you access to your own German teacher who will help you develop a personalized learning plan tailored to your needs and goals. Yes, really!

It takes a huge amount of dedication to set out learning a language, and even more to master that language. At GermanPod101, we know it’s not always an easy road. Know that you have our constant support, and that with enough hard work and perseverance, you’ll be speaking, writing, and reading German like a native before you know it!

Happy German Unity Day!

Father’s Day, celebrated in most countries around the world, is a special day set aside to honor one’s father (or father-figure). There’s something about the love and care of a father that’s unmatched by anything else, so it’s important to show appreciation and gratitude to them on this day.

In Germany, this is called Vatertag, and you’ll soon find that celebrations in Germany are pretty unique compared to celebrations elsewhere. At GermanPod101.com, we hope to make learning about Vatertag in Germany fun, and provide you with great insight into German culture. For in knowing a country’s culture, you can master the language in context of the bigger picture.

Let’s get started, and delve into Vatertag Deutschland (“Father’s Day Germany”)!

1. What is Father’s Day in Germany?

Father’s Day (Vatertag in Germany) was introduced as a special day for honoring fathers. It doesn’t always have the same calendar date because of Easter, which is movable.

The tradition of Father’s Day comes from the United States. There, the Father’s Day was founded by Sonora Smart Dodd. Her father had fought in the American Civil War, so in 1910 she called for a movement to honor fathers. Then, via the USA, this day to honor fathers also came to Germany.

2. When is Father’s Day in Germany?

The date of Father’s Day varies each year, though it’s always celebrated on Ascension Day, interestingly enough. For your convenience, here’s a list of this holiday’s date for the next ten years.

• 2019: May 30
• 2020: May 21
• 2021: May 13
• 2022: May 26
• 2023: May 18
• 2024: May 9
• 2025: May 29
• 2026: May 14
• 2027: May 6
• 2028: May 25

3. Reading Practice: Unique Father’s Day Celebrations

How do Germans celebrate Father’s Day? You might be surprised. 😉 Read the German text below to find out, and find the English translation directly below it.

—

Am Vatertag findet in manchen Regionen in Deutschland die sogenannte Herrenpartie statt, an der, wie der Name schon vermuten lässt, traditionell nur Männer verschiedenen Alters gemeinsam etwas unternehmen. Dies können zum Beispiel Wanderungen oder auch Ausflüge mit der Pferdekutsche oder auf dem Wasser sein. Während oder als Abschluss des Tages kehren die Teilnehmenden oft in Gaststätten ein.

Der Vatertag wird in einigen Familien auch für Familienausflüge genutzt oder um gemeinsam über das verlängerte Wochenende in den Urlaub zu fahren. Der Freitag nach Vatertag ist ein sogenannter Brückentag, das heißt, das Kinder auch an diesem Tag schulfrei haben. Viele Väter oder Eltern gehen mit ihren Kindern beispielsweise in den Zoo oder machen ein Picknick im Freien.

Manche Männer gestalten ihre sogenannte Herrenpartie mit einem Fahrraderlebnis besonderer Art: Ein geräumiges Fahrrad bietet bis zu 16 Personen Platz und ermöglicht durch die Integration eines Fasses in der Mitte des Fahrrades das Biertrinken während der Fahrt.

—

On Father’s Day, the so-called “gentlemen’s party” takes place in some German regions. As the name suggests, only men of a different age are allowed to take part in this traditional event. It could be a walk, or an outing on horse-drawn carriages or on the beach. During or at the end of the day, the participants often stop at restaurants.

On Father’s Day, some families go out for family trips or go on vacation together on an extended weekend. The Friday after Father’s Day is a so-called bridge day, means it is a school holiday for children as well. Many fathers or parents go out with their children to the zoo or for a picnic, for example.

Some men arrange to have a special bicycle experience for their “gentlemen’s party”: a spacious bike that offers up to sixteen seats and makes it possible for the riders, through the incorporation of a barrel in the middle of the bike, to drink beer while riding.

4. A Shared Holiday

On which public holiday is Father’s Day celebrated every year in Germany?

The holiday is called the Ascension Day. The Solemnity of the Catholic Church is always forty days after Easter, so between April 30 and June 3. Since the 1930s, Ascension Day has been observed as a public holiday in Germany.

5. Useful Vocabulary for Father’s Day in Germany

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for Father’s Day in Germany!

• Sonntag — Sunday
• Sohn — Son
• Geschenk — Present
• Tochter — Daughter
• Lieben — Love
• Vater — Father
• Abendessen — Dinner
• Grußkarte — Greeting card
• Feiern — Celebrate
• Geschenkgutschein — Gift certificate
• Vatertag — Father’s Day

To hear each vocabulary word pronounced, check out our German Father’s Day vocabulary list. Here, you’ll find each word for accompanied by an audio file of its pronunciation.

Conclusion

What do Father’s Day celebrations look like in your country? Are they similar or very different from Vatertag (Germany’s Father’s Day)? Let us know in the comments; we always love to hear from you!

If you want to learn more about German culture and holidays, and of course the German language, visit us at GermanPod101.com! We offer learning tools for every student, ensuring that every student can master German—at their own pace, and in a way that’s both fun and informative. Check out our free vocabulary lists, insightful blog posts, and online community forum to get started! By upgrading to a Premium Plus account, you can also take advantage of our MyTeacher program, and learn German one-on-one with your own personal teacher.

Feeling determined? Your hard work will soon be well worth it, and soon you’ll be speaking German like a native!

Until next time, Glücklicher Vatertag (“Happy Father’s Day” in German)!

Learning a language from home can be stressful and frustrating, but with the help of German TV Shows, you can improve in less time than you imagined. Language learners and experts alike say that watching movies and series is a great way to improve your language skills. And the good thing about this is that you can do it by watching the type of movies or TV shows that you actually like.

Each country produces TV shows in the genres of drama, crime, comedy, sci-fi, cooking, nature, and many more. Germany is certainly no different, with plenty of good German TV shows for language-learning.

By watching television shows or movies in German, you’re allowing yourself to learn while having a lot more fun, and this is a big advantage for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students. Here at GermanPod101, we give you a complete guide to the best German TV shows. German television has so much to offer!

Table of Contents

1. How to Study German with TV Shows
2. Watch German TV Shows on Netflix and Co.
3. List of German TV Shows
4. How GermanPod101.com Can Help You Master German with TV Shows

1. How to Study German with TV Shows

1- What are the Benefits of Learning with Movies and Series?

The benefits of watching TV shows in a foreign language should be quite obvious. If not, here’s a list of some of the benefits watching German television series offers:

• It’s fun and efficient at the same time. You’re learning better and faster if you like the way you learn.
• It’s easier to understand new vocabulary with situational context, subtitles, visuals, and any combination of these. (Keep in mind that we have vocabulary lists for all subjects.)
• You get a feel for pronunciation and word stress.
• You can practice sentence structure and daily language, as well as special body gestures.
• We learn faster and more efficiently when emotions are involved.

2- How do You Make Watching More Efficient?

You shouldn’t just turn on a German TV show and start watching. First, you should prepare yourself for learning to get the most effective outcome from your invested time. Here are some hints on how to do this:

• Prepare some basic vocabulary about the subject the TV show covers. For example, if you’re watching a TV show about love and drama, you might want to learn some vocabulary for Valentine’s Day beforehand.
  Inform yourself about the TV show by reading a one-page description.
• You might also want to take a look at how to improve your listening skills before starting.
• Activate subtitles in the language you’re learning. For example, if you’re watching a German TV show, activate German subtitles. This helps you to see how a word is written and spoken at the same time.
• Just enjoy it. Make yourself comfortable with a glass of your favorite drink and some popcorn.

2. Watch German TV Shows on Netflix and Co.

You have different options for watching German TV shows from your home country. Here are some of the best ways to access German television shows.

• Satellite TV: You can get a subscription to Sky Germany and watch many TV shows on demand. This would be at an additional cost to you, but hell, it’s worth it.
• Netflix: You can get a subscription to Netflix and this is definitely our choice. You get a great value as well as a nice array of German TV shows to watch. Make sure to use a VPN, because Netflix localizes its content by country.
• ARD / ZDF: These two channels are the two big public channels in Germany. You can access the ARD and ZDF media library (Mediathek) only from Germany. So you should use a VPN here as well.
• Other streaming services: Other German channels also have online content available.
• YouTube: You can find some other German series on YouTube as well. German TV shows on YouTube are especially good for seeing television shows from the past.
• DVD: Of course you can just go to eBay or Amazon and order the DVD boxes from every German TV show you would like to see.

As you can see, there are several options for finding German TV shows online.

3. List of German TV Shows

We prepared a list for you with the eleven best German TV shows. Note that this list isn’t complete, but we chose German TV shows with English subtitles because their language is easy to understand and you’ll get a glimpse of what kind of shows German people watch. On Wikipedia, you can find a big overview of each, and on IMDB you can get a list of the 50 best shows in Germany.

In our list, you’ll get a short description of the subject the TV show covers, a popular quote from it alongside the English translation, and our suggestion for who should watch the series: beginner, intermediate, or advanced students. So, let’s get a glimpse of popular TV series in Germany.

1- Tatort (Crime Scene)

If you’re a fan of CSI and other crime shows from the US, then you might like Tatort as well. This TV show has been around since the 70s and is still running. It changes its location to different German cities and covers realistic cases, without the Hollywood style. It just feels more real than other crime shows. With the show’s special characters for each city, it has a funny but still serious enough tone.

Popular quote: Am liebsten sind mir die Menschen, die ich nicht kennenlerne.
Translation: “My favorite people are the ones that I do not meet.”

Suggested level of student: Advanced

2- Berlin Tag und Nacht (Berlin Day and Night)

Berlin Tag und Nacht (“Berlin Day and Night”) is a so-called Seifenoper (“soap opera”) that plays in the German capital Berlin. It shows different people from Berlin, from teenagers to adults, living their lives and dealing with everyday problems. Don’t expect too much quality from this TV show, due to its unprofessional actors and style. But somehow, the audience in Germany loves it. (When it comes to German TV shows, drama is pretty well-received.)

Popular quote: Kriegste wat nich mit?
Translation: “Do you not getting something?”

Suggested level of student: Intermediate

3- Verbotene Liebe (Forbidden Love)

Here’s another soap opera which was made in 1995 and played until 2015. As the name suggests, it’s all about love and relationships. But here, the story mainly revolves around families of the high society and it does well in showing the differences between rich and average people.

Popular quote: Wenn es um Liebe geht, kann man drei Dinge tun: leugnen, akzeptieren oder weglaufen. In meinem Fall wäre weglaufen das Richtige—aber sind wir auf der Welt, um das Richtige zu tun?
Translation: “When it comes to love, you have three options: deny, accept, and run away. In my case run away would be the right choice—but aren’t we alive to do the right thing?”

Suggested level of student: Intermediate

4- Der letzte Bulle (The Last Cop)

This story takes place in the area around the city Essen and in parts of Cologne, where the main character and policeman Mick wakes up from a coma after 20 years and realizes that a lot of things have changed.

Popular quote: Sach ma’, seh ich aus wie mit dem Hammer getauft?
Translation: “Tell me, do I look like I was christened with a hammer?”

Suggested level of student: Advanced

5- Alarm für Cobra 11 – Die Autobahnpolizei (Alarm for Cobra 11 – The Highway Police)

This TV show describes the police operations of two policemen from a special department that’s responsible for the German highway—the Autobahnpolizei. Together, the two policemen build the Cobra 11.

Popular quote: Nicht Python, sondern Cobra 11. Das solltest du dir vorübergehend merken.
Translation: “Not Python, it’s Cobra 11. You should remember that temporarily.”

Suggested level of student: Intermediate

6- Die Sendung mit der Maus (The Program with the Mouse)

This is one of the most successful TV shows for kids in German TV. In every episode, it features a combination of short animations with a mouse and a small blue elephant, which don’t have any dialogue, and a short knowledge film about different subjects such as the production of a hammer. It has a educational character and is well-recommended for beginners.

Popular quote: Lach- und Sachgeschichten
Translation: “Laugh and fact stories”

Suggested level of student: Beginner

7- Stromberg (Stromberg)

Stromberg, which is the name of the TV show and the main character, is a comedy series that features the ordinary life of a boss of an insurance company called Capitol Versicherung AG. This TV show has a lot of sarcastic and ironic content, and shows strange behavior in dealing with people. It’s just hilarious to watch, and German TV shows with comedy are fantastic for learning.

Popular quote: Was dem an Grips fehlt, das gleicht er durch Blödheit wieder aus.
Translation: “His lack of nous he compensates with stupidity.”

Suggested level of student: Advanced

8- GZSZ – Gute Zeiten Schlechte Zeiten (GTBT – Good Times Bad Times)

Again, we have a soap opera on our list. Apparently, German people do love soap operas. It features the lives of different ordinary people and deals with subjects such as the highs and lows in the process of becoming an adult, personality changes, how to deal with love in your life, and also political subjects. It’s one of the most popular TV shows for teenagers in Germany.

Popular quote: Man, mit dem Kleid meiner Oma kann ich den ganzen Saal schmücken.
Translation: “Man, with the dress of my grandmother you can decorate the whole hall.”

Suggested level of student: Intermediate

9- Löwenzahn (Dandelion)

This is, by far, one of the best kids’ TV shows for educational purposes ever made in German TV. Unfortunately, there are no new episodes, but it’s well worth it to watch the classics. Every episode shows a story about the character Peter Lustig who lives in a blue mobile home. During the story, you can learn something about a lot of subjects. One special aspect of this TV show is that the main character interacts with you, the viewer. It’s hard to describe—better just watch it.

Popular quote: Ihr seid ja immer noch da! Abschalten!
Translation: “You are still there! Switch off!”

Suggested level of student: Beginner

10- Schlag den Raab (Beat the Raab)

This German TV show features one of the most popular German persons, Stefan Raab, in a game show. He’s playing fifteen different games against a candidate who has the possibility to win 500.000 €. If the candidate doesn’t win, then in the next episode the next candidate plays for 1 million €.

Popular quote: Barbie wird 45—oder wie Frauen sagen: 29.
Translation: “Barbie turns 45—but how a woman would say: 29.”

Suggested level of student: Advanced

11- Germany’s Next Topmodel (Germany’s Next Topmodel)

This is a casting show to find the next top model of Germany. It’s produced by the famous German model Heidi Klum and is an adaption of the American TV show.

Popular quote: Es ist schöner, wenn du in die Kamera schaust.
Translation: “It looks better if you would look into the camera.”

Suggested level of student: Intermediate

4. How GermanPod101.com Can Help You Master German with TV Shows

In this article, we showed you eleven of the best and most popular German TV shows. By now, you should know how watching German TV shows in the German language with German subtitles can help you. You should also have a good idea of what to expect from popular German TV shows.

Have you chosen the next TV show that you’ll watch? Let us know which one it will be and why you chose it.

To get started, GermanPod101.com has a lot of free resources about several subjects, as well as free courses for beginner, intermediate, and advanced students.

And if that free stuff isn’t enough for you and you want to boost yourself to the next level quickly, then we can offer you a private teacher who specializes on your needs and your goals with the German language.

So you’re ready to move to Germany with the Germany job seeker visa? You’re ready to finally work in Germany? This is a country that has so many different sides to show, and so many different accents, cultures, and landscapes. It reaches from the Baltic Sea and flatlands in the north to the Alps with Bavarian culture, to the forests and lakes in the south.

In between, you have many big cities such as the capital Berlin, the finance and logistics centre of Europe Frankfurt, one of the biggest city complexes named Ruhrpott in the west, and the fastest growing city in Germany: Leipzig.

When moving to a new country, you’ll have an explosion of feelings. On the one hand, you’re excited to meet new people, get to know the culture, and achieve mastery of the new language. On the other hand, you need to find a job and you need to get through the headache of dealing with a new working culture (Arbeitskultur).

So, is it easy to get a job in Germany?

In this guide, we’ll show you the whole process of finding a job in Germany. We begin with the requirements, what jobs to look for, where to look for positions, and even cover the German work culture.

Are you ready? Let’s get straight to it and prepare for your time in Germany, so that you can find jobs in Germany in 2019.

Start with a bonus, and download the Business Words & Phrases PDF for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)

Without further ado, here’s our guide on how to find a job in Germany.

Table of Contents

1. Requirements and Paperwork
2. Which Job Fits Your Needs? — Job Types
3. Where to Look for a Job
4. Why Will You Love Working in Germany?
5. The Job Market in Germany
6. How GermanPod101.com will Help You Get a Job in Germany

1. Requirements and Paperwork

One thing you should know upfront: Germany is the country of bureaucracy (Land der Bürokratie). So, get prepared to do some paperwork (papierarbeit) as long as you stay in Germany. Before applying for a job, you need all your papers and your visa ready. Don’t be afraid; we’ll show you how to easily set up your stay in Germany.

First: Everyone who’s from a country in the European Union (EU), European Economic Area (EEA), or Switzerland doesn’t need a visa as long as they have an ID card or a valid passport. But, you need to register an address in Germany to work.

1- The German Job Seeker Visa

Jobs in Germany for foreigners start with a job seeker visa. The job seeker visa is a long-term residency permit that allows you to stay in Germany for six months looking for a job. With this visa, you’re not allowed to work immediately, but to look for a job. If you find a job during this period, then you’ll be given the Germany work visa or a work permit to work and live there.

There are some requirements you need to fulfill in order to obtain the visa. For example, you have to have a Bachelors or Master degree and at least five years of experience in your field of study. To see all the requirements, take a look at the official visa website.

2- Do I Need a Visa? — Visa Types and Requirements

There are more than 15 different visa types for foreigners and the one you need strongly depends on which country you’re from. So please, take a look on the official website and find out if you need a visa and which visa type fits your needs.

As already said, it strongly depends on how high your expertise is in your field of studies (studienfach), and what degree you’re holding. When looking for a job in Germany, most people need to apply for a residence permit before entering the country. When the job is highly qualified, it will be easier for you to obtain the visa. But to be sure, check out Expatica.com.

2. Which Job Fits Your Needs? — Job Types

In such a developed country like Germany, obviously, you can choose just about any career you can think of. So in the end, everything comes down to your personal preferences (persönliche Vorliebe) and of course your level of German. It’s not always necessary to be fluent, but let’s face it, speaking German will be a big advantage.

1- Jobs for German Beginners

If you’re a complete beginner in German, finding a professional position will be harder for you. So you need to get a bit creative and lucky as well. Most companies will expect you to be at least a little fluent with your German. For complete foreigner-friendly jobs, take a look at the section below. There, we’ll tell you a little about how to find a job in Germany if you don’t speak German.

We at GermanPod101 offer you a wide range of free resources, lessons, and starting guides for your German learning experience. Before thinking about moving to Germany for work, work even harder on your German skills. Our MyTeacher service will boost your level of German even faster.

2- Jobs for German Intermediate Learners

Your chances of finding a job in Germany are already higher when you have at least basic German skills and can speak about all the subjects that you’re interested in. Your search for a job will go much faster when you know how to properly express yourself.

Most employers will test your German skills during the job interview and will be happy when you show that you can communicate. They might ask you for certificates such as Goethe B1. But either way, you’ll have a good chance at the job with your intermediate knowledge of the language.

3- Jobs for Fluent German Speakers

You’ll be treated like a native speaker when searching for a job if you already speak German at a fluent level. You don’t even have to be on a native level with your German; fluent is just enough.

You can be picky when looking for positions. Apply like you would in your home country, just to the jobs that you like and that fit your professional skills.

Some of the companies you’re applying to might ask you for a proof of fluency. Some certificates you can show are Goethe C1 and TestDaF.

Even fluent speakers can improve their German language skills day by day with our helpful bonus classes.

4- Foreigner-Friendly Jobs

Apart from professional and common jobs, you can get a bit more creative with your job search and prepare yourself for some jobs that not everybody is doing. You can find some English speaking jobs in Germany if you take this path. When it comes to these jobs, your native language can greatly benefit you, as can an intermediate level of English.

Language Teaching (Sprachen unterrichten)

This is probably the most obvious option. It doesn’t necessarily need to be English that you’re teaching; it could be any other language. Some spontaneous ideas are French, Spanish, Italian, and Japanese.

For some teaching jobs, go to the the following websites:

• ESLemployment
• TotalESL
• ESL Café
• TESall

You can look for jobs just about anywhere. You can look for positions as a professional teaching staff member (professioneller Sprachlehrer) at an international company, teach school children from primary to high school, you can teach at universities, you can do private tutoring, and anything else that comes to your mind.

When looking for this kind of job, if you do it as a freelancer or even as a full-time worker, companies might ask you for a certificate such as TEFL.

Tourism Industry

This might be even more obvious than teaching your mother tongue (muttersprache) to Germans. But surely in cities and popular tourist spots, such as in the south, you can get hired by a company specializing in tourism. Having a degree in closely related studies will be even better for you.

This may be a good source of English speaking jobs in Germany, but even when working in the tourism industry, you should get used to a bit of German and improve your language skills daily.

Jobs here range from being a tour guide or working with a travel agency, (Reisebüro) to being a receptionist in a hotel or hostel. Even working in a restaurant or bar in a tourist spot could be a great opportunity for some quick money.

5- Volunteering in Germany

If you don’t want to go to all the trouble of looking for a professional job and fulfilling all the requirements to get a working visa (arbeitsvisum), just think about going to Germany as a tourist or on a working holiday visa. Do you want to know what your options are?

The answer is volunteering (freiwilligenarbeit). It certainly won’t make you rich, but your life experience, your spirit, and your view of life might change in this way. And maybe you’ll be able to make some good contacts for your future life and get into a professional position during this time.

Volunteering is quite easy to understand. You offer some of your time for accommodation (unterkunft) and in the best case, even food. Don’t worry; the person you’ll work for won’t rip you off and the workload isn’t overwhelming.

There’s a large variety of jobs in this field: field work, renovating houses, working on farms or in hostels, walking dogs, and taking care of other animals. You can find interesting alternatives on:

• Workaway: This is a volunteering service, where families and companies offer their home. It offers a premium membership service, where you can apply to any position. They are paid annually, so this won’t be costly for you.
• HelpX: HelpX is similar to Workaway. You can find interesting positions on both websites. The interface of HelpX could be a bit better, but the service itself is great.
• WWOOFing: Woofing is a big platform if you love nature and would like to work on farms. Its speciality is organic farming.

3. Where to Look for a Job

Now we’re coming to the interesting part. Where do you actually apply and look for jobs, on the web and offline? We collected some helpful websites for you. Note that there are more options, but these are the most common ones.

1- General Job Search Engine

1. Official Website

• Bundesagentur für Arbeit: This is the official national agency for employment, and probably the biggest and first resource you can use to find a job. There are offices in nearly every city and town in Germany. You can find practically everything here. But real quality jobs you’ll most certainly not find on this platform.

2. German Favorites

• Stepstone
• Regio-Jobanzeiger
• Stellenanzeigen.de
• Jobware

You can use these sites to search for any kind of job and you’ll find a wide range of jobs. You can find jobs in the medical service, information technology, and chemistry sector there, as well as smaller part-time jobs and head positions. Just browse around these websites and they can keep you busy for weeks.

3. Search Engines

These platforms will always have some positions to offer you. Firms from all around the world in every sector are publishing here. Keep in mind that for jobs in Germany, Indeed is a good place to start.

• Indeed
• Gigajob
• stellenonline.de

2- Specialized Directories

• GetInIT: Want to get into the IT sector? This is the right place for you.
• Jobvector: This is for everybody in the science, medicine, and engineering studies field.
• YourFirm: This one is great if you’re looking for a job in a middle-sized company.

3- Recruitment Agencies

A quick hint from us. Just use these agencies if you really have some special skills to offer or some degrees that not everybody can show. Because if you don’t have those, the agency will most likely not help you find a job.

If you’re getting really specific with your job search, just type into Google “Personalagentur” + your specific niche that you’re interested in.

4- Expat Portals and Communities

Of course, there are some pages that just specialize in listing jobs for English speakers and foreigners:

• Michael Page
• E Financial Careers
• GoAbroad
• Overseasjobs

Also keep in mind that finding people who have the same goal as you isn’t that hard. Just a quick search on Facebook showed us that there are two major groups for foreigners who are looking for jobs in Germany.

• Job Seeker Visa Group
• Job opportunities

5- Networking

Yes, like in any other country, it’s good to focus on networking in Germany. With networking, you’ll have a better possibility of finding a job. After going over all the other examples and websites above, we’ve finally come to the way that 90% of German people find their jobs. This may be, in fact, the best way to find a job in Germany.

Networking.
Networking.
NETWORKING.

Okay, I know you’re thinking, “How am I supposed to do networking if I don’t have any contacts in Germany?”

Fortunately, there are websites that focus just on that, on networking:

• LinkedIn
• Xing

Get yourself a profile and show yourself to the recruiters (Personaler) out there. You can use their built-in job portals and apply to jobs easily and directly from your already-built profile.

And remember, you can also do networking offline. Go out, go to companies, present yourself. Make contact on Facebook, in the park, in a café. Just anywhere!

4. Why Will You Love Working in Germany?

Working in such a developed country as Germany has benefits. Just to name a few, you’ll get health insurance, many days off, a straightforward but easy-going work culture, access to events, and much more. Let’s jump right into it.

1. Health Insurance (Krankenversicherung)

When you’re employed, you’re automatically in the German health care system. It covers things such as hospital stays, dental care, doctor visits, eyeglasses, and more. You’re automatically in this system and a small part from your salary will be used for this.

2. Pension Insurance

This is an insurance for your old days once you’re retired from your working life. This ensures that you can maintain a certain standard when you’re over 67 years old, and the outcome is around 67% of your average net income from your working life.

3. Unemployment Insurance

If you’ve worked at least one year in Germany, then you’re qualified to receive funds from the state in the case that you lose your job. In case you become unemployed, you’ll receive around 65% of your last income for the next 12 months.

4. Average Working Hours and Paid Holidays

On average, Germans work around 35 hours per week. That’s much less than the standard in other countries such as the UK with 44 hours. You’ll have at least 20 days of holiday, plus public holidays.

However, this information depends on the region where you live. Usually, in professional positions, you’ll have more holidays. (This is usually 25-30.)

Just to name a few more benefits:

• Help for new parents
• Reasonable housing costs
• Cheap transport
• Accident insurance
• Growing minimum wage

5. The Job Market in Germany

Did you know that the German economy is bigger than the whole economy of South America combined? That’s pretty impressive, isn’t it?

We have to consider here that Germany is the biggest player in Europe, and with its central localization in the European Union we became a strong partner for other big nations like the United States and China. We are the world champion of exporting goods.

Another fact that you should know before moving to Germany is that our unemployment rate is on a years-long low. In 2019, we’re facing an unemployment rate of less than 4%, and in some cities like Munich, this number is even less.

And here comes the best fact for you. In Germany, we’re facing a shortage of experts in different professions. These include:

• Mechanical engineers (Maschinenbauingenieur)
• Automotive engineers (Fahrzeugingenieur)
• Electrical and building engineers (Elektro- und Bauingenieur)
• IT specialists (IT-Spezialist)
• Health workers and doctors

Some global players have their headquarters and manufacturing bases in Germany. Just to name a few:

• Volkswagen
• Audi
• BMW
• EON
• Daimler
• Adidas
• MAN
• Siemens

6. How GermanPod101.com will Help You Get a Job in Germany

Wow, finding your way to the end of this article was a journey. But we’re happy that you made it and that you’re not discouraged from finding a job in Germany. We showed you all the benefits you’ll receive as an employee in Germany. Are you ready to apply for your first German jobs and get a flat in Berlin or Munich?

Before going to Germany, make sure that you work on your language skills. For this, we have tons of free vocabulary lists on our website and free lessons for beginners, intermediate learners, and advanced speakers.

Once you’ve found your job or are in the middle of the process, make sure you get the necessary vocabulary right.

Just a quick reminder for our premium service MyTeacher. There, you’ll have access to a personal one-on-one coach who will work just with you to improve your language skills so you’re ready for your first job in Germany. But with GermanPod101.com’s lists and lessons, you’re already set up just enough to start.

What are you waiting for? Whether you’re looking for jobs in Berlin or English speaking jobs in Germany, you now have the resources you need to get it! Good luck!

Carnival is deeply rooted in history and is observed in numerous countries before Lent fasting. German Carnival, in particular, is a time of fun and seeming madness, and no two parts of Germany celebrate this holiday exactly the same way. In this article, we’ll mostly be focusing on the celebrations in Rhineland, since German Carnival traditions vary so much.

But keep in mind that wherever you find yourself in Germany, some common aspects are likely to show through. Take, for instance, German Carnival masks, German Carnival songs, and maybe even some German Carnival games!

Here at GermanPod101.com, it’s our goal to help you learn the language in context of the country’s culture—and have fun while doing so! That said, let’s go ahead and take a closer look at Karneval in Germany!

1. What is German Carnival Season?

The German Carnival is a time of festivities leading up to the beginning of Lent. If you find yourself in Germany during the German Carnival season, you may find yourself surrounded by German Carnival costumes or indulging in some delectable German Carnival food (think: Mutzenmandeln, Berliner, donuts, pancakes, fritters, or carnival Kräppel). After all, this period of time is meant to be a time of indulgence before the fasting begins.

2. When is German Carnival?

The date of Germany’s Carnival season varies each year, as it’s determined by the date of Easter. For your convenience, here’s this holiday’s start date for the next ten years:

• 2019: March 4
• 2020: February 24
• 2021: February 15
• 2022: January 31
• 2023: February 20
• 2024: February 12
• 2025: March 3
• 2026: February 16
• 2027: February 8
• 2028: February 28

The culmination of the Carnival, the Rose Monday (Rosenmontag) is a feast that takes place forty-eight days before Easter Sunday. Since the Carnival lasts several months, it’s also referred to as the fifth season of the year.

3. Reading Practice: How is German Carnival Celebrated?

Read the German text below to find out about some German Carnival traditions, including German Carnival parades and German Carnival floats! You can find the English translation directly below it.

—–

Am Anfang werden die Rathäuser von Frauen gestürmt, die den dort arbeitenden Männern die Krawatten abschneiden. In den folgenden Tagen sind manche Straßen plötzlich von hunderten Menschen versperrt. Was tun sie dort? Sie lassen sich von den bunt geschmückten Wagen einer sehr lauten Prozession mit Süßigkeiten bewerfen. Und die ganze Zeit über sieht man Menschen, die sehr seltsam gekleidet sind.

Eine zentrale Rolle beim Karneval spielen die Karnevalsvereine, die es in jeder Stadt gibt. Die Mitglieder treffen sich außerhalb der Karnevalszeit um die Wagen zu bauen, von denen dann bei den zahlreichen „Zügen“ in der Karnevalswoche Süßigkeiten in die Zuschauermenge geworfen werden. Die Wagen haben immer ein bestimmtes Motto, zum Beispiel ein umstrittenes Thema des Jahres, welches dann in Form von großen karikativen Figuren dargestellt wird. Die Karnevalsvereine veranstalten aber auch so genannte „Sitzungen“, bei denen sich alle in ihren Kostümen oder in speziellen Trachten treffen und auf einer Bühne satirische Reden gehalten werden.

Für viele bedeutet Karneval neben einer Woche voller Partys auch ein exzessiver Alkoholgenuss. Es ist deshalb (besonders am Rosenmontag) vollkommen normal, das man in Bussen und Bahnen kaum einen Sitzplatz findet, da viele ihr Auto zu Hause lassen um ihren Führerschein nicht zu gefährden.

—–

At the beginning, town halls are stormed by women who cut off the ties of the men working there. In the following days, some streets are suddenly blocked by hundreds of people. What are they doing there? They have sweets thrown at them from the colorfully-decorated floats of a very loud procession. And all the time you can see people dressed in very strange ways.

Carnival associations, which can be found in every town, play a crucial role. The members meet outside the Carnival season to build the floats, from where sweets are thrown into the watching crowd at the numerous Züge (“Carnival processions”) in the week of Carnival. The floats always have a special motto, a controversial issue of the year for instance, which then is illustrated with large caricatured figures. The carnival associations also organize so called proceedings, at which everyone meets in their costumes or in special liveries and satiric speeches are held on a stage.

This day is followed by the “Carnation Saturday,” “Tulip Sunday,” “Rose Monday,” “Viola Tuesday,” and “Ash Wednesday.” On all of these days, processions and parties take place in many cities. As the “Rose Monday” traditionally is the highlight of Carnival, most Carnival processions take place on this day. Though it is no official holiday, most employers in Carnival areas make it a holiday for their employees.

4. Additional Information

For many people, Carnival means, apart from a week full of parties, also the excessive use of alcohol. This is why it is (especially on “Rose Monday”) completely normal that you can hardly get a seat in buses and trains, because many people leave their car at home to not risk their driver’s license.

5. Must-know Vocab

Here’s some vocabulary you should know for Carnival Season in Germany!

• Bonbon — Candy
• Karnevalszeit — Carnival Season
• Süßigkeiten — Sweet
• Dreigestirn — Triumvirate
• Fastnacht — Shrove Tuesday
• Rosenmontag — Rosenmontag
• Elferrat — Council of eleven
• Verkleidung — Costume
• Karnevalsumzug — Carnival parade
• Fasching — Carnival
• Aschermittwoch — Ash Wednesday
• Maske — Mask

If you want to hear each of these vocabulary words pronounced, check out our German Carnival Season vocabulary list. Here you’ll find each word accompanied by an audio of its pronunciation.

Conclusion

What do you think of German Carnival? Do you celebrate Carnival in your own country, or a similar holiday? Let us know in the comments!

To learn more about German culture and the language, visit us at GermanPod101.com. We offer an array of insightful blog posts, free vocabulary lists, and an online community where you can discuss lessons with fellow German learners. You can also check out our MyTeacher program if you’re interested in a one-on-one learning experience with your own personal German teacher!

We hope you enjoyed learning about German Carnival, and that you found discovery in yet another unique facet of German culture. Know that all of your studying and hard work will pay off! You’ll be a master in the language and a pro on cultural knowledge before you know it!

Do you often feel lonely and sad? Do you long for romance and are willing to do whatever it takes to meet that special person? Speaking another language could revolutionize your love life! So, why wait? Learning how to say ‘love’ in German could be just what you need to find it.

Or perhaps you were lucky, and have found your German partner already. Fantastic! Yet, a cross-cultural relationship comes with unique challenges. Learning how to speak your lover’s language will greatly improve your communication and enhance the relationship. At GermanPod101, our team will teach you all the words, quotes and phrases you need to woo your German lover with excellence! Our tutors provide personal assistance, with plenty of extra material available to make German dating easy for you.

Table of Contents

1. Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date
2. The Most Romantic Ideas for a Date
3. Must-know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary
4. German Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day
5. German Quotes about Love
6. Marriage Proposal Lines
7. 15 Most Common Break-Up Lines
8. Will Falling in Love Help You Learn German Faster?

Start with a bonus, and download the ‘How To be a Good Lover Cheat Sheet’ for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)

1. Common Phrases You’ll Need for a Date

So, you have met your German love interest. Congratulations! Who knows where this could take you…?! However, the two of you have just met and you’re not ready to say the German word for love just yet. Great, it is better to get to know him/her first. Wow your prospective love by using these German date phrases to set up a spectacular first date.

Would you like to go out to dinner with me?

• Möchtest du mit mir zum Abendessen ausgehen?

The important question! In most cultures, this phrase indicates: ‘I’m romantically interested in you’. Flirting in German is no different, so don’t take your date to Mcdonald’s!

Are you free this weekend?

• Hast du dieses Wochenende Zeit?

This is a preamble to asking your love interest on a date. If you get an immediate ‘Yes’, that’s good news!

Would you like to hang out with me?

• Hättest du Lust, mal etwas zusammen zu unternehmen?

You like her/him, but you’re not sure if there’s chemistry. Ask them to hang out first to see if a dinner date is next.

What time shall we meet tomorrow?

• Um wieviel Uhr sollen wir uns morgen treffen?

Set a time, and be sure to arrive early! Nothing spoils a potential relationship more than a tardy date.

Where shall we meet?

• Wo sollen wir uns treffen?

You can ask this, but also suggest a place.

You look great.

• Du siehst toll aus.

A wonderful ice breaker! This phrase will help them relax a bit – they probably took great care to look their best just for you.

You are so cute.

• Du bist so süß.

If the two of you are getting on really well, this is a fun, flirtatious phrase to use.

What do you think of this place?

• Wie findest du diesen Ort?

This another good conversation starter. Show off your German language skills!

Can I see you again?

• Kann ich dich noch mal sehen?

So the date went really well – don’t waste time! Make sure you will see each other again.

Shall we go somewhere else?

• Sollen wir woanders hingehen?

If the place you meet at is not great, you can suggest going elsewhere. It is also a good question to follow the previous one. Variety is the spice of life!

I know a good place.

• Ich kenne einen tollen Ort.

Use this with the previous question. However, don’t say if you don’t know a good place!

I will drive you home.

• Ich werde dich nach Hause fahren.

If your date doesn’t have transport, this is a polite, considerate offer. However, don’t be offended if she/he turns you down on the first date. Especially a woman might not feel comfortable letting you drive her home when the two of you are still basically strangers.

That was a great evening.

• Das war ein toller Abend.

This is a good phrase to end the evening with.

When can I see you again?

• Wann kann ich dich wiedersehen?

If he/she replied ‘Yes’ to ‘Can I see you again?’, this is the next important question.

I’ll call you.

• Ich werde dich anrufen.

Say this only if you really mean to do it. In many cultures, this could imply that you’re keeping the proverbial backdoor open.

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2. The Most Romantic Ideas for a Date

You learned all the German phrases to make a date – congratulations! Now you have to decide where to meet, which can be tricky. Discuss these options with your lover to gauge whether you like the same things. Check out romantic date ideas in German below!

museum

• Museum

If you’re looking for unique date ideas that are fun but won’t break the bank, museums are the perfect spot! You won’t be running out of things to say in the conversations.

candlelit dinner

• Candle-Light-Dinner

A candlelit dinner is perhaps best to reserve for when the relationship is getting serious. It’s very intimate, and says: “Romance!” It’s a fantastic choice if you’re sure you and your date are in love with each other!

go to the zoo

• In den Zoo gehen.

This is a good choice for shy lovers who want to get the conversation going. Just make sure your date likes zoos, as some people dislike them. Maybe not for the first date, but this is also a great choice if your lover has children – you’ll win his/her adoration for inviting them along!

go for a long walk

• Einen langen Spaziergang machen.

Need to talk about serious stuff, or just want to relax with your date? Walking together is soothing, and a habit you can keep up together always! Just make sure it’s a beautiful walk that’s not too strenuous.

go to the opera

• In die Oper gehen.

This type of date should only be attempted if both of you love the opera. It can be a special treat, followed by a candlelit dinner!

go to the aquarium

• In ein Aquarium gehen.

Going to the aquarium is another good idea if you need topics for conversation, or if you need to impress your lover’s kids! Make sure your date doesn’t have a problem with aquariums.

walk on the beach

• Am Strand spazieren gehen

This can be a very romantic stroll, especially at night! The sea is often associated with romance and beauty.

have a picnic

• ein Picknick machen

If you and your date need to get more comfortable together, this can be a fantastic date. Spending time in nature is soothing and calms the nerves.

cook a meal together

• Zusammen etwas zu Essen kochen

If you want to get an idea of your date’s true character in one go, this is an excellent date! You will quickly see if the two of you can work together in a confined space. If it works, it will be fantastic for the relationship and create a sense of intimacy. If not, you will probably part ways!

have dinner and see a movie

• Abendessen und einen Film schauen

This is traditional date choice works perfectly well. Just make sure you and your date like the same kind of movies!

3. Must-know Valentine’s Day Vocabulary

Expressing your feelings honestly is very important in any relationship all year round. Yet, on Valentine’s Day you really want to shine. Impress your lover this Valentine’s with your excellent vocabulary, and make his/her day! We teach you, in fun, effective ways, the meanings of the words and how to pronounce them. You can also copy the characters and learn how to write ‘I love you’ in German – think how impressed your date will be!

4. German Love Phrases for Valentine’s Day

So, you now have the basic Valentine’s Day vocabulary under your belt. Well done! But, do you know how to say ‘I love you’ in German yet? Or perhaps you are still only friends. So, do you know how to say ‘I like you’ or ‘I have a crush on you’ in German? No? Don’t worry, here are all the love phrases you need to bowl over your German love on this special day!

I love you.

• Ich liebe dich.

Saying ‘I love you’ in German carries the same weight as in all languages. Use this only if you’re sure and sincere about your feelings for your partner/friend.

You mean so much to me.

• Du bedeutest mir sehr viel.

This is a beautiful expression of gratitude that will enhance any relationship! It makes the receiver feel appreciated and their efforts recognized.

Will you be my Valentine?

• Möchtest du mein Valentin sein?

With these words, you are taking your relationship to the next level! Or, if you have been a couple for a while, it shows that you still feel the romance. So, go for it!

You’re so beautiful.

• Sie sind so schön.

If you don’t know how to say ‘You’re pretty’ in German, this is a good substitute, gentlemen!

I think of you as more than a friend.

• Du bist mehr als nur ein Freund für mich.

Say this if you are not yet sure that your romantic feelings are reciprocated. It is also a safe go-to if you’re unsure about the German dating culture.

A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you.

• Hundert Herzen wären zu wenige, um all meine Liebe zu dir zu tragen.

You romantic you…! When your heart overflows with love, this would be the best phrase to use.

Love is just love. It can never be explained.

• Liebe ist nur Liebe. Es kann niemals erklärt werden.

If you fell in love unexpectedly or inexplicably, this one’s for you.

You’re so handsome.

• Du bist so schön.

Ladies, this phrase lets your German love know how much you appreciate his looks! Don’t be shy to use it; men like compliments too.

I’ve got a crush on you.

• Ich bin in dich verknallt.

If you like someone, but you’re unsure about starting a relationship, it would be prudent to say this. It simply means that you like someone very, very much and think they’re amazing.

You make me want to be a better man.

• Du machst mich zu einem besseren Menschen.

Gentlemen, don’t claim this phrase as your own! It hails from the movie ‘As Good as it Gets’, but it is sure to make your German girlfriend feel very special. Let her know that she inspires you!

Let all that you do be done in love.

• Lasse deine Handlungen in der Liebe geschehen.

We hope.

You are my sunshine, my love.

• Du bist mein Sonnenschein, meine Liebe.

A compliment that lets your lover know they bring a special quality to your life. Really nice!

Words can’t describe my love for you.

• Worte können meine Liebe zu dir nicht beschreiben.

Better say this when you’re feeling serious about the relationship! It means that your feelings are very intense.

We were meant to be together.

• Wir waren füreinander bestimmt.

This is a loving affirmation that shows you see a future together, and that you feel a special bond with your partner.

If you were thinking about someone while reading this, you’re definitely in love.

• Solltest du – während du diese Zeilen liest – über jemanden nachdenken, bist du auf jeden Fall verliebt.

Here’s something fun to tease your lover with. And hope he/she was thinking of you!

5. German Quotes about Love

You’re a love champ! You and your German lover are getting along fantastically, your dates are awesome, your Valentine’s Day together was spectacular, and you’re very much in love. Good for you! Here are some beautiful phrases of endearment in German that will remind him/her who is in your thoughts all the time.

6. Marriage Proposal Lines

Wow. Your German lover is indeed the love of your life – congratulations! And may only happiness follow the two of you! In most traditions, the man asks the woman to marry; this is also the German custom. Here are a few sincere and romantic lines that will help you to ask your lady-love for her hand in marriage.

7. 15 Most Common Break-Up Lines

Instead of moving towards marriage or a long-term relationship, you find that the spark is not there for you. That is a pity! But even though breaking up is never easy, continuing a bad or unfulfilling relationship would be even harder. Remember to be kind to the person you are going to say goodbye to; respect and sensitivity cost nothing. Here are some phrases to help you break up gently.

We need to talk.

• Wir müssen reden.

This is not really a break-up line, but it is a good conversation opener with a serious tone.

It’s not you. It’s me.

• Es liegt nicht an dir. Es liegt an mir.

As long as you mean it, this can be a kind thing to say. It means that there’s nothing wrong with your German lover as a person, but that you need something different from a relationship.

I’m just not ready for this kind of relationship.

• Ich bin einfach nicht bereit für diese Art von Beziehung.

Things moved a bit fast and got too intense, too soon? Painful as it is, honesty is often the best way to break up with somebody.

Let’s just be friends.

• Lass uns einfach Freunde sein.

If the relationship was very intense, and you have sent many ‘i love u’ texts in German, this would not be a good breakup line. Feelings need to calm down before you can be friends, if ever. If the relationship has not really developed yet, a friendship would be possible.

I think we need a break.

• Ich glaube, wir brauchen eine Pause.

This is again honest, and to the point. No need to play with someone’s emotions by not letting them know how you feel. However, this could imply that you may fall in love with him/her again after a period of time, so use with discretion.

You deserve better.

• Du hast etwas Besseres verdient.

Yes, he/she probably deserves a better relationship if your own feelings have cooled down.

We should start seeing other people.

• Wir sollten anfangen, uns mit anderen Leuten zu treffen.

This is probably the least gentle break-up phrase, so reserve it for a lover that doesn’t get the message!

I need my space.

• Ich brauche meinen Freiraum.

When a person is too clingy or demanding, this would be an suitable break-up phrase. It is another good go-to for that lover who doesn’t get the message!

I think we’re moving too fast.

• Ich denke, es geht zu schnell.

Say this if you want to keep the relationship, but need to slow down its progress a bit. It is also good if you feel things are getting too intense for your liking. However, it is not really a break-up line, so be careful not to mislead.

I need to focus on my career.

• Ich muss mich auf meine Karriere konzentrieren.

If you feel that you will not be able to give 100% in a relationship due to career demands, this is the phrase to use. It’s also good if you are unwilling to give up your career for a relationship.

I’m not good enough for you.

• Ich bin nicht gut genug für dich.

Say this only if you really believe it, or you’ll end up sounding false. Break-ups are usually hard for the receiving party, so don’t insult him/her with an insincere comment.

I just don’t love you anymore.

• Ich liebe dich einfach nicht mehr.

This harsh line is sometimes the best one to use if you are struggling to get through to a stubborn, clingy lover who won’t accept your break up. Use it as a last resort. Then switch your phone off and block their emails!

We’re just not right for each other.

• Wir sind einfach nicht richtig für einander.

If this is how you truly feel, you need to say it. Be kind, gentle and polite.

It’s for the best.

• Es ist das Beste.

This phrase is called for if circumstances are difficult and the relationship is not progressing well. Love should enhance one’s life, not burden it!

We’ve grown apart.

• Wir haben uns auseinander gelebt.

Cross-cultural relationships are often long-distance ones, and it is easy to grow apart over time.

8. Will Falling in Love help you Learn German faster?

Most people will agree that the above statement is a no-brainer – of course it will! Your body will be flooded with feel-good hormones, which are superb motivators for anything. GermanPod101 is one of the best portals to help help make this a reality, so don’t hesitate to enroll now! Let’s quickly look at the reasons why falling in love will speed up your learning of the German language.

Three Reasons Why Having a Lover will Help you Learn German Faster!

1- Being in a love relationship with your German speaking partner will immerse you in the culture
GermanPod101 uses immersive methods and tools to teach you German, but having a relationship with a native speaker will be a very valuable addition to your learning experience! You will gain exposure to their world, realtime and vividly, which will make the language come alive even more for you. The experience is likely to expand your world-view, which should motivate you to learn German even faster.

2- Having your German romantic partner will mean more opportunity to practice speaking
Nothing beats continuous practice when learning a new language. Your partner will probably be very willing to assist you in this, as your enhanced German language skills will enhance the relationship. Communication is, after all, one of the most important pillars of a good partnership. Also, you will get to impress your lover with the knowledge gained through your studies – a win/win situation!

3- A supportive German lover is likely to make a gentle, patient teacher and study aid!
With his/her heart filled with love and goodwill for you, your German partner is likely to patiently and gently correct your mistakes when you speak. This goes not only for grammar, but also for accent and meaning. With his/her help, you could sound like a native in no time!

Three Reasons Why GermanPod101 helps you learn German Even Faster when you’re In Love

Start with a bonus, and download the ‘How To be a Good Lover Cheat Sheet’ for FREE! (Logged-In Member Only)

1- All the Resources and Materials Will Help Both of You
Falling in love with a man or woman speaking German is an opportunity for both of you to learn a new language! For this reason, every lesson, transcript, vocabulary list, and resource at GermanPod101 is translated into both English and German. So, while your partner can help you learn German faster, you can potentially also help him/her learn and master English!

2- Lessons Are Designed to Help You Understand and Engage with German Culture
At GermanPod101, our focus is to help our students learn practical vocabulary and phrases used by everyday people in Germany. This means that, from your very first lesson, you can apply what you learn immediately! So, when your German partner wants to go out to a restaurant, play Pokemon Go, or attend just about any social function, you have the vocabulary and phrases necessary to have a great time!

3- Access to Special Resources Dedicated to Romantic German Phrases
You now have access to GermanPod101’s specially-developed sections and tools to teach you love words, phrases, and cultural insights to help you find and attract your German soul mate. A personal tutor will assist you to master these brilliantly – remember to invite him/her to your wedding!