Why do Germans say Genau all the time?
Loosely translated as “exactly,” “genau” is often used to emphatically affirm what someone else has said.
This is because 'Genau', which means 'exactly', is one of those interjections people say while having a conversation to signal they are listening and engaged. The way in English we say things like 'uh-huh' and 'yeah' a million times without even noticing it.
Of genau's many translations, which include “precise,” “accurate,” and “detailed,” you will most often hear it utilized to indicate that something is correct, like the term “exactly” in English. In this way, it is especially useful when you want to respond affirmatively to a question.
As of writing, however, the record for longest German word in common usage, or that made it into the dictionary, stands at 63 characters: Rindfleischetikettierungsüberwachungsaufgabenübertragungsgesetz, the name of a food safety law that was in effect until 2013.
The expression "ahzo" that you're referring to is actually "Ach so" in German, which translates to "Oh, I see" or "I understand" in English. It's a common interjection used to indicate comprehension or realization in response to something that has been said. It's similar to saying "I see" or "Got it" in English.
Leck mich am Arsch!
This phrase is considered one of the most offensive things you can say in German. It is used to express extreme anger, frustration, or contempt. It is not used in casual conversation and should only be used with people you know very well.
- Rührei (Scrambled eggs) ...
- Arbeitslosigkeitsversicherung (Unemployment insurance) ...
- Röntgen (X-ray) ...
- Quietscheentchen (Rubber duck) ...
- Tschechien (Czechia) ...
- Kreuzschlitzschraubenzieher (Screwdriver) ...
- Schlittschuhlaufen (Ice skating)
Genau – Exactly.
Answer: Ja, Genau. (Yes, exactly.)
Guten Tag is how you keep things formal. If you want to say 'hello' in German to a stranger or maybe to someone you respect, this is the best choice for you. Although guten Tag can also mean 'good afternoon', German people actually use it all day long.
What is the 67 letter German word?
It took eight years for RkReÜAÜG to be recognised as Germany's longest word, only securing the title when the majestic 67-letter word Grundstücksverkehrsgenehmigungszuständigkeitsübertragungsverordnung – "regulation governing the delegation of authority pertaining to land conveyance permissions" – was ditched in ...
The short answer is no: German is not as hard to learn as you might think. In fact, German is one of the easiest languages to learn for English speakers. But the ease and how long it takes to learn depend on your commitment and a few other factors—which we're about to find out!
Steven Frank, the author of The Pen Commandments claims that English has 500,000 words with German having about 135,000 and French having fewer than 100,000. A blog post for The Economist agrees that English is rich in vocabulary, but comparisons with other languages can't be made for several reasons.
Fricatives are used quite frequently in German. Think the “ch” from the word “ich” or the “sch” in “Schule”. English speakers seem to perceive the “ch” in particular as a very harsh sound, perhaps because producing it involves creating a lot of friction in the mouth and this sound is not found in English.
– “Ich bin genervt!” – “I am annoyed!” – “Die laute Musik ärgert mich!”- “The loud music is bothering me.” – “Ich bin leicht verärgert/genervt.” – “I am easily annoyed.” – “Lass dich nicht verärgern!” – “Don't let yourself be annoyed.”
Prost is typically used as a toast for drinking beers, and Zum Wohl is usually the go-to toast for wine, schnapps, or spirits.
Pronounced [boʃ], boche is a derisive term used by the Allies during World War I, often collectively ("the Boche" meaning "the Germans"). It is a shortened form of the French slang portmanteau alboche, itself derived from Allemand ("German") and caboche ("head" or "cabbage").
Backpfeifengesicht 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!
It is rude to chew gum or keep one's hands in one's pockets whilst talking with someone. Cross your legs by putting one knee over the other. It is impolite to rest your feet on furniture. Tight punctuality (Pünktlichkeit) is expected in most professional and social situations.
Try hallo (hello), guten tag (good day), auf wiedersehen (goodbye), danke (thank you), bitte (please), ja (yes) and nein (no).
What is the hardest language to learn German?
Yes and no. Compared to the very popular Romance language Spanish and French, German is regarded as hard to learn. But in truth, German is actually easier to learn than a lot of other languages. The answer truly lies somewhere in between.
Swabian can be difficult to understand for speakers of Standard German due to its pronunciation and partly differing grammar and vocabulary.
Dummkopf is a mild insult that translates to “idiot” or “stupidhead.” While it's not the most offensive word on this list, it's still considered impolite and should be avoided.
Contemporary German has gone back to the unvoiced pronunciation, but idiosyncratically sometimes retained the medieval spelling. As a general (and defective) rule, it can thus be said that ⟨v⟩ is pronounced /f/ in originally German words and /v/ in words of foreign origin.
The German letter ß is a ligature and is also called a “scharfes s” (sharp s). But it's simpler than it sounds–it actually just means “ss”. The best thing about this letter? It sounds exactly like the “s” sound in English!
