Culture Flashcards
How to dial the phone number for the Darmstadt number: 06151/47651
Include area codes beginning with 0. When dialing German numbers from outside Germany, omit the zero. For example, to dial the Darmstadt number from the U.S., dial 011 (international operator), 49 (country code), then the area code 6151 (without zero), and then the local number 47651. The numeral 49 is the country code for Germany; it’s 43 for Austria and 41 for Switzerland.
Ulm and Ulm Minster
Ulm lies on the Danube River in the southern German state of Baden-Württemberg.The city’s famous Gothic church (Ulm Minster) has the highest spire in the world at 161.6 meters (530 ft.).
Two cities in Germany are named
Frankfurt
They are distinguished by the rivers on which they are situated: Frankfurt am Main (Frankfurt a.M. or Frankfurt/Main) in the state of Hessen, and Frankfurt an der Oder (Frankfurt a. d. O. or Frankfurt/ Oder) in the state of Brandenburg.
Innsbruck
Innsbruck is the capital city of the mountainous Austrian province of Tyrol (German name Tirol). German place names often have topographical significance.The second syllable of Innsbruck derives from the German word, die Brücke (the bridge).The city was originally a settlement at “the bridge over the Inn River.” See map on the inside the front cover of the text.
The flavoring particle schon
Schon is often used as a flavoring particle to strengthen, confirm, or reinforce a statement. It adds the sense of really, indeed. In the first dialogue, Monika protests:
Ich möchte schon nach Frankfurt, aber ich habe leider kein Geld - I really would like to go to Frankfurt, but unfortunately I don’t have any money.
Renate answers:
Das verstehe ich schon - I certainly understand that . . .
Origin of the word “das Frühstück”. What is the most common breakfast food
Das Frühstück originally meant the piece (das Stück) of bread eaten early (früh) in the morning. Brötchen (called Semmeln in southern Germany and Austria), crusty rolls baked fresh daily, are the most common breakfast food.
Poem about the seasons
Es war° eine Mutter, there was Die hatte* vier Kinder [who had] Den Frühling, den Sommer, Den Herbst und den Winter. Der Frühling bringt Blumen*, [flowers] Der Sommer bringt Klee*, [clover] Der Herbst, der* bringt Trauben*, [it/grapes] Der Winter bringt Schnee* [snow]
Rhyme/mnemonic for remembering prepositions
Sing them to the first phrase of “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.” [bis, durch, fur, gegen, ohne, um]
In spoken German, which prepositions often contract with the article?
In spoken German, durch, für, and um often contract with the article das: durchs, fürs, ums.
What is the imperative (der Imperativ)
Making suggestions and giving commands are communicative goals.
What does the word gern mean and how is it used expressing likes, dislikes, and
preferences i
Gern is etymologically related to
English yearn.
Verb + gern(e) = to like to do something
Ich laufe gern - I like to walk.
Sie geht gern schwimmen - She likes to swim.
Hören Sie gerne Musik? - Do you like to listen to music?
Gern(e) generally comes immediately after the subject and verb. The negation of
gern is nicht gern [Ich schwimme nicht gern]
Künstlerhaus Bethanien
Künstlerhaus Bethanien is a cultural center in Berlin Kreuzberg. It’s open to all kinds of artists and there are exhibitions year round
What is the Havelland region and what is it known for?
The Havelland region is located to the west of Berlin in the federal state of Brandenburg and is known for cultivation of fruits and vegetables
If you get lost in a German city you can look ______ for a map
At a bus stop
In Germany, how soon do you have to register after moving?
Within two weeks
With which name do Germans typically answer the phone
Surname (vs first)
How many lakes are there in Switzerland?
About 7,000
What is the longest tunnel in the world and where is it located?
Gotthard Tunnel in die Schweiz
What is the highest railway station in Europe?
On top of the Jungfraujoch (3454 M)
Texting shortcut kA
keine Ahnung
Texting shortcut vlt/vllt
Vielleicht
Texting shortcut WE
Wochenende
Texting shortcut nix
Nichts
Texting shortcut hdl
Hab dich lieb
Texting shortcut LG
Liebe grüße
Texting shortcut GN8
gute Nacht
Texting shortcut kD
kein Ding
Texting shortcut Bd
bis dann
Jein
Yes and no
Hä?
Huh?
What are you talking about?
Was laberst du?
Stupid/crazy
Bescheuert
Weird words: Korinthenkacker
A pathetic and small-minded person who always wants to be right about everything
Weird words: Düpflischisser
Spot pooper
Km/hr to miles/hr
1/2 Original Km/hr + 10% of original
Ich habe glück
vs
Ich bin glücklich
I am lucky
vs
I am happy
Wishing someone luck (two options… which is more common and why)?
Viel Glück (much luck) Viel Erfolg (much success)
German culture dictates more that you male your own luck:
“Jeder ist seines Glückea Schmied” - everyone is their own blacksmith of luck
What does “Schwein gehabt” mean? Literally and symbolically
Lit. means “yoy’ve had pig there”
Symbolically means “you’ve been lucky”
In German culture, pigs symbolize luck
What are ladybugs called in German and what do they represent?
Marienkäfer (Mary’s bugs/Mary’s beetles)
Symbolize luck
What do chimney sweeps have to do with luck in Germany?
Legend says that if you push one of their buttons on their coat you have good luck
What do toadstools have to do with luck in Germany? What is a person called in relation to this?
Toadstools symbolize luck in Germany someone might be called a “lucky mushroom” (glückapilz)
This is someone who is frequently lucky or lucky without trying
What is the equivalent to “break a leg“ in German?
Toi toi toi!
Possibly accompanied by spitting over a person’s shoulder
What are some bad luck superstitions in Germany?
A black cat crossing you from the left, breaking a mirror, spilling salt, not looking someone in the eye when toasting, walking under ladder, getting out of bed with your left foot first, wishing someone a happy birthday before their actual birthday
What is the German saying about punctuality?
Fünf Minuten vor der Zeit, ist des Deutschen Pünktlichkeit
What are the religious breakdowns of Germany (approx. percentage and regionally)
~50% Christian
~ 33% unaffiliated
~5% muslim
~1% jewish/buddhist
Catholic - south & southwest
- Roman empire (only included parts or weatern Germany)
Protestant - north
- Martin Luther (against Catholicism)
Unaffiliated - northeast
- aggressively anti-church govt policies in DDR after WW2
What is Hamburg known for?
Germany’s most important port
Food:
- Pan fish casserole
- Franzbrötchen
- Fischbrötchen
What is Dresden known for?
Parade of Nobles mural
What is Nürnberg known for?
Old Town
Nazi sites
Food:
- gingerbread
- roastbratwurst
- knödel
What is Frankfurt known for?
Modern skyscrapers
Food:
- Green sauce
- Handkäs
- Crown cake
What is Würzburg known for?
Residenz Palace
Atmospheric wine bars
What is München known for?
- one of Germany’s most historic cities
- until 1871, was the capital of an independent Bavaria
- clean, cultured
- city center: Marienplatz
- watched over by New Town Hall
- Dachau memorial (former Nazi concentration camp now museum)
- top art museum: Alte pinakothek
- mad king Ludwig’s castles
- New Town Hall’s glockenspiel
- old Town Hall completely destroyed in WW2 and rebuilt
- Münchner Kindl - tiny gold child in monk’s garb … symbol of München
- St. Peter’s church - damaged in WW2
What is Klön known for?
Two-spire cathedral
