German Word of the Day: die Einfahrt

This must be one of the most beloved words for learners of German. The word Fahrt itself stands for drive, ride, trip, etc. Einfahrt means entrance, gateway to Autobahn, etc.

It has nothing to do with fart, even though most learners associate its sound with that. This can provide some giggles.

This photo was taken in Oberursel and it shows the entrance to a Getränkemarkt (beverage shop).

alldrink – Einfahrt: entrance to Alldrink beverage shop

alldrink Einfahrt Oberursel

German Idiom of the Day: Alter Schwede

When your former coworker, whom you haven’t seen in a year or more, greets you with ‘Alter Schwede’ (Old Swede), you might wonder what he is referring to.

This is an idiom, which was coined by the Prince Elector Friedrich Wilhelm of Brandenburg. During the 30-year war (1618 – 1648), he recruited Swedish soldiers to train his men. These Swedes were so popular with his German soldiers, they addressed them with a congenial ‘Alter Schwede!’

This idiom is still being used when we see an old friend after a long time. We also use it to express appreciation, respect, or amazement.

When speaking German, we use it with people of any nationality.

Evolving German Mischmasch Language

I’ve abused the German language for many years. Sometimes, I’ve spoken in a mischmasch of English and German, because it was more convenient. For example, my husband asks me for the whereabouts of something, then my reply is usually this: “It’s in the Einbauschrank!” The Einbauschrank is the built-in closet in the entry way of an apartment in Germany. At least around here where we live. You see, I don’t bother translating it. I use the local word.

The other day, I discovered this new word on a notice at the doctor’s office. “… zu spät sein sollten, wird der Termin automatisch gekänzelt.(In case you’re late, your appointment will be automatically cancelled)

Sprachnudel känzeln

There is a new platform called Sprachnudel (Language Noodle), which collects all the words not suitable for the Duden (Germany’s pre-eminent language resource).

Sprachnudel, the platform for Wörter der Jetztsprache (Words of the Present Language) sounds so much like Language Doodle. 🙂

New German term: Präsenzunterricht

Before the 2020 pandemic struck, there were neither homeschooling, nor online lessons, and all the learning for school age children was done in Präsenzunterricht (classroom teaching). Hence, there was no need for this term.

Now we need this term to differentiate between online lessons and classroom lessons.

Language does evolve around the change of times.

Ab sofort wieder Präsenzunterricht! (From now on again classroom teaching!)

Well, this could also mean the virtual classroom (in the global world), but not to most Germans. 😉

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