Things Some Germans Say

 

Of course the language is different in Germany; it's one of the countries where the people speak... German.

However, though often perceived as harsh and commanding, German -- though quite complex -- is becoming more useful and interesting. I'm grasping it better, word by word, syllable by syllable. 

It is not the easiest of languages, because like English, German has so many words for the same thing. I read today that there are twice as many words in German than French. German could have more than any other language, due to the way words can be easily compounded. 

I suppose another difficulty comes when we expect to find commonalities with our own language when learning a second tongue, a natural thing our brain does. One thing that makes German difficult for an English speaker is that, though English had German beginnings, there are many words in German that have no relation whatsoever to the English words for the same thing. That is illogical and confusing, so you just have to memorize words you don't know. That being said, I'd like to teach you a few unique phrases I've heard from friends -- most that I never learned in German class and coincidentally resemble English in no way at all. 

I speak Spanish to God, Italian to women,
French to men, and German to my horse.
—Emperor Charles V

First of all, Germans are conversationalists. Most love sitting and talking, some for hours and hours, perhaps over a cup of Kaffee mit Kuchen or at a barbecue, where no one moves from their seat, even to go to the bathroom. Never before in my life have I been seated at a table for so long, listening to so many people talk -- never mind that it's not in my own tongue. It's a veritable summit every time Germans get together. 

All I can relate this to in my life's experience is photos of the old-timers sitting in lawn chairs during a family reunion. Were they seated there so long because they loved to talk, or because they needed help and/or were too tired to get up? We, the young people (70 years and under), moved around (!), played games, or stood in the kitchen talking, not for hours, but minutes. 

Another thing to note about German conversation is that it is never one-sided, and one is expected to look the speaker in the eye and respond often when spoken to. That is difficult for me, a person who is more of a listener than a talker, and whose mind wanders during long, drawn-out conversation.

As an example, there are several simple words that turn German statements into questions. One of these, used often in these parts, is the word gell. Das ist gut, gell? a German might say, which means "That's good, right?" 

Another is oder, which means "or." It is placed at the end of sentences, turning them into questions awaiting response from the listener. Das ist gut, oder? That "oder" on the end ensures a response, and it becomes habit-forming. I now attach it to English sentences I write to friends and family back home, wishing to get agreement with what I have just said.

Another conversation lure is Verstehst du? - Literally, this means "do you understand?" but it is used more like our English "you know?", for emphasis or confirmation. It is also stronger than gell and oder. For example, a German might say, Ich will keine Amerikanische Küche essen, verstehst du? In that case, the German is reiterating more strongly their statement that they don't want to eat American cooking. This phrase is used in conversation and is not really a question but again a follow-up phrase to make sure you are listening and understand. These people, again, are serious about their conversations. 

Germans I've encountered have trouble learning how to say "you're welcome" in English. I don't think it makes sense to them, so it's hard for them to remember. Their version of that same phrase is bitte, bitte sehr, or bitte schön, but bitte also means "please." Further, when Germans offer or serve you something, such as a drink or plate of food, they also say bitte. Nicer ways to respond to "thank you" in German are nichts zu danken (no reason to thank me) or gern geschehen (gladly!). 

When you're about to eat, Germans heartily wish you Guten Appetit! -- the equivalent of our English "enjoy your meal." It sounds nicer in German and is said more emphatically. They mean it, because they like to eat -- there aren't too many starving people in Germany. To me, when faced with a bountiful German breakfast or a delicious plate of Schnitzel accompanied by delicious asparagus, guten appetit! becomes my own little prayer thanking God that I was not born a plant and am therefore allowed to ingest food.  

Another German word with no direct correlating word in English is the word doch. Doch can be used to support a statement or it can mean "on the contrary." Here are two examples:

     Du hast mein Eis gegessen! (You ate my ice cream!)

     No, I didn't. 

     Doch! (Yes, you did!) 

     You didn't take the garbage out like I asked.

     Doch! (Yes, I did!)

Basically, the doch changes a negative into a positive. 

When saying hello, Germans have different ways to do so. There are hallo, servus, grüß Gott, or even hi. I say "hi" most of the time, because it's understood, and maybe it is different from most of the other people here, like I am. Of course, there are also the greetings of Guten Morgen and Guten Tag. 

Regarding greetings, I like to play a game with friends when we go bike-riding. If you pass a German and say "hello" (using any of the words above) and they respond, you get 1 point. If they greet you first, which VERY rarely happens, you get 5 points. If they shake their head at you or make a negative comment, you lose 2 points. It's a fun game. 

Saying goodbye is also interesting. When you know someone well, they might say bis dann ("until then") as you both turn and walk away from each other. This is said even though you don't have another predetermined future meeting. It's a little bit funny, but I like it.

 

WARNING: PARENTS ADVISORY!!! Very important for those of you who cuss: American name-calling can be detrimental in Germany. Calling someone an "asshole" in America isn't so bad. It is a stronger version of the word "jerk," of course referencing a certain body part. If you translate the word into German and call someone an Arschloch, it is one of the worst insults you can ever give and is not taken lightly. Don't use it in an argument with your boyfriend. 

The same goes for "bitch." Don't use it in Germany, because it doesn't just mean a rude woman -- Bitch in German translates to "utter whore." That's really bad when you're talking about someone's girlfriend or daughter. 

But please, don't let any of these warnings keep you from attempting to speak German. Just get ready to duck or run if you accidentally let one slip. 

What is funny about cussing in German is that the F word is thrown around here as lightly as a Frisbee -- though it's very bad in America. And "shit"? Even first grade students use that word often, in German. Scheisse!