
This may be one of the strangest literal German/English translations there is. This one refers to the weight one might gain after a bad relationship break up. Kummerspeck (Grief Bacon) Kummerspeck (gaining weight from comfort eating) A mnemonic helps you to remember information for example, "Now We Shall Eat" may help you remember the directions North, West, South and East on a compass. The word Eselsbrücke has nothing to do with donkeys and everything to do with mnemonics. This is the German word for a menu and is a simple, widely used German word that is easy to learn and repeat as you travel through Germany, enjoying some of the country's gastronomic delights. Here is a list of funny German words that have all-too amusing literal translations and their meaning: Speisekarte (dish card)
#GERMAN WORDS IN ENGLISH LANGUAGE MOVIE#
The word Kopfkino refers to mentally playing out an entire scene in your mind, as if in a movie theater.ġ0 Funny German Words with literal translations This refers to an impossible or unrealistic dream - like building a castle in the air - and is used to describe that which, sadly, just cannot be achieved. Clever alternatives which mean the same include Tohuwabohu, Wirrwarr, Mischmasch, and Kladderadatsch Luftschloss (air castle) Kuddelmuddel describes mess, chaos, or hodgepodge arrangements or scenes. Similar in meaning, a Warmduscher is someone who showers with warm water. This is actually an insult for men who are seen to be engaging in unmanly behavior for example looking for shaded parking, according to the literal translation. Can you say it ten times, quickly? Schattenparker (shadow parker) A very well-known one is: Blaukraut bleibt Blaukraut und Brautkleid bleibt Brautkleid. It means "tongue twister" or a phrase that’s very hard to pronounce due to its sequence of similar sounding letters. Zungenbrecher is much less gruesome than it sounds. It may sound like it's part of the plant kingdom, but, a Purzelbaum describes a somersault on the ground, often landing in the dirt and usually resulting in dirty knees. Purzelbaum (tumble tree)Įvery child in Germany knows all about this one. No sufficient explanation for not doing your homework or lying to your wife? That’s Erklärungsnot. Backpfeifengesicht (slap face)īackpfeifengesicht describes someone who you feel needs a slap in the face. You may want to be careful if and when you use this one: it's best used among good friends unless you’re wanting to cause tension! Erklärungsnot (explanation poverty)Įrklärungsnot describes the state you might find yourself in when no excuse will get you out of the trouble you're in. In German, a "soft egg", means someone who is a coward or weak-minded – they’ll just go with the crowd or what is easy instead of standing up for what they think is right, but with the right person and intent, it can have a lighter, more humorous meaning. Anybody who has ever experienced this can attest to just how annoying the Ohrwurm can be.


This German word refers to having the melody and/or lyrics of a song stuck in your head for an extended period. Here are ten weird German words and their meanings: Ohrwurm (ear worm)

Like any language, German has its own strange and peculiar words and phrases.
