So this post is probably long overdue, but I thought I would tell you about the "false friends" of the German language. By this I mean phrases that sound or look similar to ones in English, but mean something totally different.
For example, "Gute Fahrt!" does not mean "Wow. You are awesome at cuttin' the cheese!" It means: "Have a good trip!". Other favorite confusing German words include:
- bald = soon
- Chef = boss
- Gymnasium = high school
- Pickel = pimple
- Gift = poison
- Beamer = a projector
- Schmuck = jewelry
- Handy = cell phone
- Fahrt = drive or way
- Gummi = condom
Of course, in normal conversation it's usually pretty easy to distinguish the meanings, but we still giggle whenever we see an entrance with a "Fahrt" sign.
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We're off to Germany! Check in here for the details on all of our latest adventures. And if you get sick of reading about us, just come to Germany for a visit--there's plenty of Wurst and Bier to go around!
2 comments:
Servus Clark(?)
"Gute Fahrt" has also caused me problems while living in Munich. I've dealt with the trauma by doodling: Gute Fahrt Comic
"Duschen", which means "to shower", is also a difficult obstacle to overcome :)
Cheers,
- Chris
Haha. Nice sketch. :)
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