German Pens, Pencils, and Markers

german-pens-pencils-markers
Most of my clients love pens and pencils, and while I urge you all to have a single “home” for your German learning materials, I also urge you to have pens and pencils dedicated to your German learning. 

That may be why my clients recently received three Stabilo Stifte (writing utensils, in this case felt-tip pens) and a Staedler Bleistift (pencil) from me for the 10th anniversary of the business.

Ich liebe die deutsche Sprache und ich liebe Schreibstifte aus Deutschland!
Ich liebe die de…

Read more…

schief gehen

schief gehen

schief gehen

to go wrong, to go awry, to go pear-shaped

schief gehen

Heute ist einiges schief gegangen. Das Programm hat nicht funktioniert. Dann hat das Video nicht funktioniert. Das Mikrophon war nicht richtig angeschlossen und dann hat das Programm wieder nicht funktioniert.

*seufzen*

Ich habe nochmal alles angefangen, aber wieder hat das Programm nicht funktioniert. Ich habe ein Video gedreht, aber das Audio hat nicht funktioniert.

Alles musste ich löschen.

Also, nochm…

Read more…

Zehn lustige Dinge, die meine Kunden gesagt haben

zehn-lustige-Dinge-Deutsch

Hier sind zehn lustige Dinge, die meine Kunden gesagt haben.

Here are 10 funny things my clients have said.

  1. der Wasserhahn
  2. sein = to be. sein = his
  3. ADUSO
  4. sich verlieben in + Akk
  5. Drogen oder Medikamente?!
  6. Kichererbsen
  7. der Schmetterling
  8. etwas gebacken kriegen
  9. der Öko-Spießer (use with caution!)
  10. not Schwiegereltern, but...


Read more…

Johannes Brahms: A German Requiem with the Bel Canto Chorus

Brahms-Requiem-Cover

For those of you who don't know yet, I (Frau Warner) am also a classical singer and I love the Germanic repertoire. The Bel Canto Chorus here in Milwaukee, along with the Kettle Moraine Symphony, is performing Johannes Brahms' Ein deutsches Requiem (A German Requiem) on May 21, 2023 at 3:00 pm.

If you're unfamiliar with the text, or would simply like to enjoy getting to know the text before the concert (or maybe you simply love music, like I do?!), these videos are for you!

In each video, one …

Read more…

What is a Stammtisch?

what-is-a-Stammtisch

der Stammtisch

der Stammtisch – an inadequate translation is “group of regulars.”

der Stammtisch

Today you'll learn:

  • what a Stammtisch is in Germany and how it differs in the US,
  • what you need to know before you go,
  • how often to expect to attend a Stammtisch,
  • where they take place,
  • and something called Einmal ist keinmal.

Sind Sie bereit? Los geht's!

What is a Stammtisch?

A Stammtisch is different in Germany it is in the US, so let's start with the original Stammtisch:

  • a regu…

Read more…

What does "schräg" mean?

what-does-schraeg-mean?

You probably enjoy those lists of German words that can't be translated into English as much as I do.

They go around the internet again and again, but have you noticed they're usually the same words?

This word, schräg, never shows up on one, and it deserves to be on every list.

In this episode you'll learn all about the word schräg.

You'll learn what it means, how to pronounce it, and how to use the word schräg.

Und machen Sie Ihre Hausaufgaben! (Do your German homework.)

 

N.B. The A1-…

Read more…

How Does German Culture Compare to US Culture?

how-does-german-culture-compare-to-us-cover-NEW

Frequently, very frequently I find myself confused by living in the US again.

The culture is simply so different from German culture, which is where I began my post-grad school life.

I couldn't put words to all of it, but then a friend of mine asked me recently, "Of all the places you've been, where did you have the most culture shock?"

It took me weeks to sort out my answer.

After considering the 21 countries and perhaps 18 states I've visited, I've finally got my answer.

In this episode w…

Read more…

Frau Warner reads aloud: "der Kobold in der Mühle" from the Brothers Grimm

Nicole reads aloud der Kobold in der Mühle cover21

It's a 'scary' time of year and to go along with it, here is your Brothers Grimm fairy tale in a video.

You might not know Der Kobold in der Mühle, however it's every bit as eery as the other fairy tales.

What does Kobold mean?

A Kobold is a "house spirit," a German folk being who takes care of household tasks and sometimes causes mischief.

Britannica.com has a fantastic description of a Kobold that includes this important information:

"...mischievous household spirit who usually helps wi…

Read more…

What is the German National Anthem?

what-is-german-national-anthem NEW

The German National Anthem is known as the Nationalhymne or Das Lied der Deutschen, "The Song of the Germans."

In today's episode of the podcast for German learners you'll hear:

  • the current national anthem

  • a bit of its history

  • the German National Anthem sung in German (by yours truly!)

It's really important to note the specifics of this Anthem because there is a strong connection to German history, one that is to be remembered and respected.

Besides, wouldn't you like to im…

Read more…

What is A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2 in German learning?

what-is-a1-a2-b1-b2-c1-c2-german-learning NEW

In this 5th episode of the GermanWithNicole.com Podcast you'll learn what these designations mean for German learning.

You've surely seen this alphabet-number combination on German learning materials and maybe you've seen or taken a German language assessment test and received one of these combinations as a result. “You can take a class at the A2 level.”

But what does it mean?! And why should you care?!

Hint: Understanding these combinations will make your German learning life sooooo much eas…

Read more…