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Advice, explanations and ideas for learning German, from Stephan.
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3 February 2026
Note: I take no commission on featuring these German self-study programs. If you feel that any information here is in error, out of date, or missing something, contact me anytime and I am happy to update this post! Update: Feb 3rd, 2026 Learning German has never been more accessible. Whether you’re preparing for a move to […]
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21 December 2025
'Essen' is the standard verb; 'fressen' is for animals (or rudely for people). Others: naschen (snack), verschlingen (devour), speisen (dine), futtern (nosh).
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21 December 2025
'Random' is 'zufällig' (by chance) or 'willkürlich' (arbitrary). For casual 'some random…', use 'irgendein' (irgendein komischer Typ).
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20 December 2025
A memory of something is an 'Erinnerung'; memory as a capacity is 'Gedächtnis'. 'Sich erinnern an' = to remember; 'erinnern' = to remind.
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20 December 2025
'Imagination' is 'Fantasie' (also spelled Phantasie); 'to imagine' is 'sich etwas vorstellen'. 'Stell dir vor!' = Imagine!
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20 December 2025
'It's not my fault' is 'Ich kann nichts dafür', 'Das ist nicht meine Schuld' or 'Ich bin nicht schuld'.
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20 December 2025
Kirsche (cherry) has sch /ʃ/, like English sh. Kirche (church) has soft ch /ç/, as in ich. Some English accents have a similar sound at the start of huge.
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20 December 2025
'Stingy' is 'geizig' (Geiz); a miser is a 'Geizhals'. 'Sparsam' means frugal (positive); 'kleinlich' means petty.
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20 December 2025
Free of charge is 'kostenlos', 'umsonst' or 'gratis'; 'frei' means free as in available or independent (exception: Eintritt frei). 'Umsonst' also means 'in vain'.
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20 December 2025
German wer asks who; wo asks where. German w sounds like English v. The case forms of wer are wen, wem and wessen; woher asks where from and wohin asks where to.
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20 December 2025
A busy person is 'beschäftigt' or 'hat viel zu tun'; a busy phone line or occupied toilet is 'besetzt'; 'fleißig' means hardworking.
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20 December 2025
Common German words for stubborn include stur, störrisch and dickköpfig. Hartnäckig can mean persistent or stubborn and also describes stains, colds and rumors.
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20 December 2025
'Umwelt' is the natural environment; 'Umfeld' is the social or work environment; 'Umgebung' is one's immediate surroundings.
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20 December 2025
'To avoid' is 'vermeiden'; to dodge is 'ausweichen'; to get around is 'umgehen'; to avoid a person is 'jemandem aus dem Weg gehen'.
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20 December 2025
'Klug' and 'intelligent' are the general words; 'schlau' = smart/cunning; 'gescheit' = sensible; 'gerissen' = crafty. A know-it-all is a 'Klugscheißer'.
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20 December 2025
'To relax' is 'sich entspannen'; 'sich erholen' means to recover or recuperate. 'Entspann dich!' = Relax! Casual: relaxen, chillen.
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20 December 2025
Froh means glad or relieved; glücklich means happy and can also mean fortunate or lucky. Glück haben is a clear everyday way to say to be lucky.
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20 December 2025
'To guess' is 'raten'; guessing correctly is 'erraten'. 'Schätzen' = estimate (casually 'I guess'); 'Rate mal!' = Guess what!
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