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 Looking to learn German without spending a cent? From flashcard apps to online courses and video series, here are the best free online resources to help you build up your language skills. https://www.thelocal.de/20260421/listed-the-best-free-websites-and-apps-for-german-language-learners Tue, 21 Apr 2026 15:26:53 +0200 listed-the-best-free-websites-and-apps-for-german-language-learners Whether you suffer from period cramps or want to stock up on 'Binden', we've compiled some useful words and phrases to talk about menstruation and sexual health. https://www.thelocal.de/20260703/the-german-words-and-phrases-you-need-to-talk-about-periods Fri, 03 Jul 2026 15:22:02 +0200 the-german-words-and-phrases-you-need-to-talk-about-periods Always thought that parking your car in the shade was the best thing to do? The German language seems to disagree. https://www.thelocal.de/20190711/german-word-of-the-day-der-schattenparker Thu, 11 Jul 2019 10:25:34 +0200 german-word-of-the-day-der-schattenparker From exams to romance scams, German has a surprisingly rich vocabulary when it comes to cheating. Here’s how to tell a fib from an unforgivable betrayal. https://www.thelocal.de/20260618/how-to-talk-about-dishonesty-like-a-german Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:25:39 +0200 how-to-talk-about-dishonesty-like-a-german This pleasing-to-say word might come in handy if your barber gets a bit too enthusiastic. https://www.thelocal.de/20260608/german-word-of-the-day-glatzkopf Mon, 08 Jun 2026 10:08:32 +0200 german-word-of-the-day-glatzkopf For many foreign residents, learning German is essential for work – but the tax office doesn’t always see it that way. As a result, language lessons often fall into a confusing grey area when it comes to claiming deductions. https://www.thelocal.de/20260604/when-are-german-language-courses-tax-deductible-for-residents Thu, 04 Jun 2026 16:03:32 +0200 when-are-german-language-courses-tax-deductible-for-residents This bizarre-sounding expression is the go-to phrase for Germans faced with the impossible. Master it, and you’ll have the perfect phrase for mocking the unrealistic expectations that plague us all. https://www.thelocal.de/20260603/german-phrase-of-the-day-eierlegende-wollmilchsau Wed, 03 Jun 2026 14:04:20 +0200 german-phrase-of-the-day-eierlegende-wollmilchsau 'Fronleichnam' is celebrated as a public holiday in eight German states (and two other regions) on Thursday June 4th. We explain its origins where it's observed. https://www.thelocal.de/20190613/fronleichnam-what-you-should-know-about-thursdays-public-holiday-in-germany Thu, 13 Jun 2019 11:02:22 +0200 fronleichnam-what-you-should-know-about-thursdays-public-holiday-in-germany Going to the gym in Germany can test your language skills as much as your fitness. Here’s our guide to the phrases you need to work up a sweat, talk reps and explain injuries – without accidentally ending up back at school. https://www.thelocal.de/20260505/how-to-talk-about-working-out-like-a-german Tue, 05 May 2026 14:24:00 +0200 how-to-talk-about-working-out-like-a-german People who are dating love to talk about their hopes and fears and people who aren't love to hear about them. Here’s our guide to the German phrases you need to know to get in on the dating conversation. https://www.thelocal.de/20250708/liebeskummer-how-to-talk-about-dating-like-a-german Tue, 08 Jul 2025 15:35:24 +0200 liebeskummer-how-to-talk-about-dating-like-a-german Saying 'bitte' in response to 'danke' can become a reflex, especially for early language learners, but there are plenty of other expressions to use. Here are some more interesting ways to acknowledge thanks in German. https://www.thelocal.de/20250303/5-things-to-say-instead-of-bitte-when-someone-thanks-you-in-german Mon, 03 Mar 2025 11:24:35 +0100 5-things-to-say-instead-of-bitte-when-someone-thanks-you-in-german Have you ever made a phone call and frozen when the other person’s voicemail picked up? You’re not alone. This guide will help you feel more confident when leaving voicemail messages in German. https://www.thelocal.de/20260416/how-to-leave-phone-voicemail-messages-in-german Thu, 16 Apr 2026 14:54:47 +0200 how-to-leave-phone-voicemail-messages-in-german If hay fever is already making you miserable, the last thing you need is confusion at the pharmacy counter. Here’s a practical guide to allergy medication in Germany – and some helpful phrases for asking for it. https://www.thelocal.de/20260326/allergy-season-what-to-ask-for-in-german-pharmacies Thu, 26 Mar 2026 11:13:51 +0100 allergy-season-what-to-ask-for-in-german-pharmacies Buying a property is always a major undertaking – and even more so when you’re attempting to do it in a foreign country. We look at the key phrases you need to know in Germany, and what you can expect. https://www.thelocal.de/20250822/the-german-words-you-need-to-know-when-buying-property Fri, 22 Aug 2025 17:01:58 +0200 the-german-words-you-need-to-know-when-buying-property When someone dies, it’s hard enough to find the words in English – let alone in German. If you’re learning the language, these simple phrases can help you express your condolences with confidence. https://www.thelocal.de/20260325/beileid-how-to-express-condolences-in-german Wed, 25 Mar 2026 15:25:35 +0100 beileid-how-to-express-condolences-in-german Watching German-language movies and series can be one of the most fun and entertaining ways to improve your language skills. Here are a few to check out. https://www.thelocal.de/20230503/10-must-see-films-and-series-to-help-you-improve-your-german Wed, 03 May 2023 17:14:12 +0200 10-must-see-films-and-series-to-help-you-improve-your-german German is renowned for its lengthy words. As you might expect, the most unwieldy ones can be found in the worlds of law and finance. We've trawled around to put together the most useful ones for you here (and we've included some just for fun). https://www.thelocal.de/20240806/the-long-german-words-you-need-to-know-and-some-you-dont Tue, 06 Aug 2024 15:50:56 +0200 the-long-german-words-you-need-to-know-and-some-you-dont Small as they are, those two little dots carry centuries of linguistic history. Mastering them is more than just a technical detail; it’s an important step towards speaking German with greater clarity and confidence. https://www.thelocal.de/20260304/the-history-of-the-german-umlaut Wed, 04 Mar 2026 16:02:12 +0100 the-history-of-the-german-umlaut As Germany restricts access to state‑funded integration courses, we spoke to one non‑profit organisation which says it is ready to step in with free language lessons for migrants looking for work in the country. https://www.thelocal.de/20260225/helping-people-succeed-the-german-non-profit-offering-free-language-lessons Wed, 25 Feb 2026 11:56:59 +0100 helping-people-succeed-the-german-non-profit-offering-free-language-lessons After Germany quietly decided to restrict access to integration courses, an expert explains who will be affected and why that's a problem for the whole country, not just immigrants and refugees. https://www.thelocal.de/20260218/short-sighted-cutting-access-to-integration-courses-in-germany-doesnt-make-sense Wed, 18 Feb 2026 16:23:13 +0100 short-sighted-cutting-access-to-integration-courses-in-germany-doesnt-make-sense