https://feeds.thelocal.com/ Read the latest news and views from Germany in English en-us news@thelocal.com (TheLocal) webmaster@thelocal.com (TheLocal) TheLocal RSS Feed In Britain, every public holiday is simply called a Bank Holiday. So why does a single holiday in Germany have four different names all to itself? https://www.thelocal.de/20250529/vatertag-herrentag-mannertag-christi-himmelfahrt-germanys-many-names-for-ascension-day Thu, 29 May 2025 10:38:02 +0200 vatertag-herrentag-mannertag-christi-himmelfahrt-germanys-many-names-for-ascension-day Seeing this word for the first time, people new to Germany might assume it refers to the country’s environmental goals and commitments. Here's why you should avoid making this mistake. https://www.thelocal.de/20250527/german-word-of-the-day-biodeutsch Tue, 27 May 2025 14:04:43 +0200 german-word-of-the-day-biodeutsch After years of being asked to remove his shoes in homes and close every window, writer Tom Pugh conducted his own research to see which German hygiene obsessions are scientifically sound, and which are little more than a cultural quirk. https://www.thelocal.de/20250523/are-germanys-hygiene-obsessions-really-backed-by-science Fri, 23 May 2025 19:03:28 +0200 are-germanys-hygiene-obsessions-really-backed-by-science For a language so famously logical, why does German make these simple things so confusing? https://www.thelocal.de/20170912/the-things-about-the-german-language-that-still-make-no-sense-to-me Tue, 12 Sep 2017 18:47:37 +0200 the-things-about-the-german-language-that-still-make-no-sense-to-me It’s easy to assume that the only official language of Germany is, well, German. But there are four other recognised minority languages you might hear spoken (or even spot on street signs) around the country. https://www.thelocal.de/20210511/what-you-need-to-know-about-germanys-four-minority-languages Tue, 11 May 2021 20:23:24 +0200 what-you-need-to-know-about-germanys-four-minority-languages For years, the number of students in Britain learning foreign languages has been decreasing, with German classes seeing a particularly dramatic decline. But now the government in London is aiming to reverse this trend, partly due to the consequences of Brexit. https://www.thelocal.de/20230824/uk-seeks-to-spark-interest-in-german-language-as-learner-numbers-plummet Thu, 24 Aug 2023 12:28:32 +0200 uk-seeks-to-spark-interest-in-german-language-as-learner-numbers-plummet We are certainly not advocating the use of these words, but they are important to know (in case anyone uses them against you). Here are some of the German words you certainly shouldn’t use with elderly in-laws. https://www.thelocal.de/20201204/the-rudest-german-words-you-need-to-be-very-careful-about-using Fri, 04 Dec 2020 18:36:35 +0100 the-rudest-german-words-you-need-to-be-very-careful-about-using Hamburg is a pretty cosmopolitan place, and you won’t have any problem speaking Hochdeutsch around town. But traditionally, people in the city speak Hamburger Platt, and it's still very much alive. https://www.thelocal.de/20190402/12-words-and-phrases-to-help-you-show-off-in-hamburg Tue, 02 Apr 2019 12:18:44 +0200 12-words-and-phrases-to-help-you-show-off-in-hamburg With festivities around the corner, we've put together a few words and phrases that will come in handy. https://www.thelocal.de/20191219/the-german-words-and-phrases-you-need-to-know-to-survive-the-holidays Thu, 19 Dec 2019 15:46:04 +0100 the-german-words-and-phrases-you-need-to-know-to-survive-the-holidays German doesn’t have much of a reputation for beauty. But the language of Goethe and Schiller can’t be all bad. We’ll even go out on a limb and say there are some words that are nicer in German than in English. Read on to see if you agree. https://www.thelocal.de/20180720/ten-beautiful-german-words-that-sound-prettier-than-the-english Fri, 20 Jul 2018 19:26:19 +0200 ten-beautiful-german-words-that-sound-prettier-than-the-english We've compiled a list of five German words adopted from the Polish language. https://www.thelocal.de/20191024/five-german-words-that-come-from-poland Thu, 24 Oct 2019 16:55:44 +0200 five-german-words-that-come-from-poland These words will come in handy when you're exploring Germany. And if you can get them right, you'll sound like a local. https://www.thelocal.de/20191008/10-essential-regional-german-words-that-will-make-you-sound-like-a-local-explained Tue, 08 Oct 2019 18:16:21 +0200 10-essential-regional-german-words-that-will-make-you-sound-like-a-local-explained Whether they relate to a love of beer or bureaucracy, these uniquely German words give an insight into the idiosyncrasies of life in Germany. Here are a few of our favourites. https://www.thelocal.de/20210610/eight-unique-words-and-phrases-that-tell-us-something-about-germany Thu, 10 Jun 2021 19:36:16 +0200 eight-unique-words-and-phrases-that-tell-us-something-about-germany Today’s word of the day can be used to describe people who are simply too big for their boots. https://www.thelocal.de/20200929/german-word-of-the-day-hochnsig Tue, 29 Sep 2020 16:36:28 +0200 german-word-of-the-day-hochnsig If you’re planning on heading to south Germany, Austria, or Switzerland, you’ll be certain to hear today’s word of the day in almost every conversation. https://www.thelocal.de/20201020/german-word-of-the-day-gell Tue, 20 Oct 2020 13:45:11 +0200 german-word-of-the-day-gell The modern, simple syntax of text speak is a ‘Handy’ method of communication to cut down time on the complexities of language and to impress your native German friends. https://www.thelocal.de/20200831/a-beginners-guide-to-german-internet-slang Mon, 31 Aug 2020 15:28:18 +0200 a-beginners-guide-to-german-internet-slang Nervous about your German skills now that restrictions are easing? Here are some handy phrases for once it's possible to grab dinner or a drink with friends again. https://www.thelocal.de/20210520/explained-the-german-phrases-you-need-as-bars-and-restaurants-reopen Thu, 20 May 2021 13:29:36 +0200 explained-the-german-phrases-you-need-as-bars-and-restaurants-reopen The state of Rhineland-Palatinate is known for its beautiful landscapes, wine, and a dialect even Germans themselves struggle to understand. We break down the lingo you'll need to understand the natives. https://www.thelocal.de/20210407/pfalzisch-a-guide-to-the-distinct-dialect-of-rhineland-palatinate Wed, 07 Apr 2021 20:25:51 +0200 pfalzisch-a-guide-to-the-distinct-dialect-of-rhineland-palatinate If you're baffled by what the heck you’re supposed to call a pancake, it's not your fault. https://www.thelocal.de/20160906/9-simple-things-that-germans-have-way-too-many-words-for Tue, 06 Sep 2016 19:37:30 +0200 9-simple-things-that-germans-have-way-too-many-words-for No, it's not just Arnold Schwarzenegger. There are some pretty surprising German-speaking celebrities. Here are six of the most fluent with video evidence. https://www.thelocal.de/20161221/six-celebrities-you-didnt-know-speak-german Wed, 21 Dec 2016 11:13:14 +0100 six-celebrities-you-didnt-know-speak-german