Odds & Ends Flashcards
What is the German proverb for “the walls have ears”?
Wände haben Ohren
What is the German proverb for “One hand washes the other”?
Eine Hand wäscht die andere
When do Germans celebrate “Tag der Arbeit”?
May 1
What is the German proverb for “Speech is silver but silence is golden”?
Reden ist Silber, Schweigen ist Gold
What is the German proverb for “all that glitters is not gold”?
Es ist nicht alles Gold, was glänzt
What is the Latin name for Switzerland?
Helvetia
What is the German proverb for “One swallow does not a summer make”?
Eine Schwalbe macht doch keinen Sommer
How many days are official holidays in Germany for Christmas?
2
What is the German proverb for “once burned, twice shy”?
Ein gebranntes Kind scheut das Feuer
What percentage of all Americans are of German descent?
17 percent
What is the German proverb for “a bird in the hand is worth two in the brush”?
Ein Sperling in der Hand ist besser als eine Taube auf dem Dache
Give in German: birds of a feather flock together.
Gleich und Gleich gesellt sich gern
What is the German proverb for “he who laughs last laughs best”?
Wer zuletzt lacht, lacht am besten
What city holds annual Wagnerian festivals?
Bayreuth
What is the German proverb for “practice makes perfect”?
Übung macht den meister
What is the German proverb for “to err is human”?
Irren ist menschlich
What is the German proverb for “Rome was not built in a day”?
Rom wurde nicht an einem Tag erbaut
What is the German proverb for “When the cat’s away the mice will play”?
Wenn die Katze aus dem Haus ist, tanzen die Mäuse
What is the German proverb for “by their fruits shall ye know them”?
Den Baum erkennt man an den Früchten
What is the German proverb for “April showers bring May flowers”?
Der April macht die Blumen, und der Mai hat den Dank dafür
Give the three German names for the festival that traditionally begins am 11.11. um 11 Uhr 11.
Karneval, Fasching, Fastnacht
What is the German proverb for “children and fools speak the truth”?
Kinder und Narren reden die Wahrheit
In what city is the Wurstmarkt celebrated annually?
Bad Dürkheim
What is the German proverb for “many hands make light work”?
Viele Hände machen bald ein Ende
What is the German proverb for “Nothing ventured, nothing gained”?
Aus nichts wird nichts
Give in German: That’s fun!!!!!!!!
“Das macht Spaß” or “Das macht mir Spaß”
What is the German proverb for “pride comes before a fall”?
Hochmut kommt vor dem Fall
Give in German: That’s a fine mess!!!!
Das ist eine schöne Bescherung
What is the German proverb for “first come, first served”?
Wer zuerst kommt, mahlt zuerst
Say in German: “That does not matter”
“Das macht nichts” oder “Das macht nichts aus”
What is the German proverb for “it is better to suffer injustice than to commit injustice”?
Besser Unrecht leiden als Unrecht tun
Say in German: “That’s not so bad”
“Das ist ja gar nicht so schlimm”
What is the German proverb for “too many cooks spoil the broth”?
Viele Köche verderben den Brei
Say in German: Do you know your way around here?
“Wissen Sie hier Bescheid?”
What is the German proverb for “one shouldn’t buy a pig in a poke”?
Man muss die Katze nicht im Sack kaufen
What is the German proverb for “don’t look a gift horse in the mouth”?
Einem geschenkten Gaul sieht man nichts ins Maul
What is the German proverb for “you must finish what you start”?
Wer A sagt, muss auch B machen
Say in German: To make a mountain out of a molehill”
Aus einer Mücke einen Elefanten machen
What is the German proverb for “all’s well, that ends well?”
Ende gut, alles gut.
Say in German: “All kidding aside”
Scherz beiseite
Say in German: It is not my fault
Ich kann ja nichts daf
What is the German proverb for “Break a Leg/Good luck”?
Hals und Beinbruch!
What is the German proverb for “First work, then play!”?
Erst die Arbeit, dann das Vergnügen
What is the German proverb for “no pain no gain”?
Ohne Fleiß, kein Preis
What is the German proverb for “out of sight out of mind”?
Aus den Augen, aus dem Sinn
What is the German proverb for “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree” or “like father, like son”?
Der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stamm
What is the German proverb for “Ignorance is bliss”?
Was ich nicht weiß, macht mich nicht heiß
What is the German proverb for “where there’s smoke, there’s fire”?
Wo Rauch ist, ist auch Feuer
What is the German proverb for “you can’t see the forest for the trees”?
Du siehst den Wald vor lauter Bäumen nicht
What is the German proverb for “What the child does not learn, the man never will”?
Was Hänschen nicht lernt, lernt Hans nimmermehr
In which city does the International horse show take place?
Aachen
What are the two biggest wine centers in Germany? One is on the Rhine and one is on the Mosel?
Rudesheim Bingen is on the Rhine; Bernkastel-Kues is on the Mosel.
From which area does Germany’s only red wine originate?
Ahr River Valley
Give the exact dates for the beginning and end of the German Christmas season.
Dec.6 & Jan. 6
What world famous rock group first achieved success in Hamburg?
The Beatles
Name the Nazis who headed the Luftwaffe, Propaganda, and Armaments respectively
Goring Goebbels Speer (respectively)
What three groups of people did Hitler seek to exterminate?
Jews, Gypsies, Homosexuals
Give the German name for the day during the Karneval when women are in charge.
Weiberfastnacht (Thursday before Ash Wednesday)
What is Germany’s most famous wine-growing community with a festival dating back to 1442?
Bad Durkeim
Where can you go in Germany to test drive your car to see how fast it will go?
Nurburgring in der Eifel
For what confection is Lübeck famous?
Marzipan
In which city may one see the Roemisch-Germanisches Museum?
Cologne
In what years and against whom did Germany win the World Cup soccer title? (4 of them)
1954 against Hungary, 1974 against Netherlands, 1990 against Argentina, 2014 against Argentina
Who wrote Die Blechtrommel?
Gunter Grass
What was Nazi Germany’s most famous propaganda film and who produced it?
Triumph des Willens, Leni Riefenstal
In what year in West Germany were marriage partners first allowed to choose either partner’s name for the family?
1976
What is German Gothic type called in German?
Fraktur
What large city is located on the Mittelland Kanal?
Hannover
In whta area of Germany would you hear: Grüß Gott!
Bayern, Bavaria
Prices posted on German menus include what two things that are usually not found included in American restaurant prices. Give the German names.
Mehrwertsteuer und Bedienung
Near what German city in Bavaria is there a famous area for winter sports (skiing)?
Garmisch-Partenkirchen
In which U.S. state do some people speak a dialect that is a mix of English and German?
Pennsylvania
What is the auto-symbol abbreviation (Autokennzeichen) for Germany?
D
What is the auto-symbol abbreviation (Autokennzeichen) for Austria?
A
What is the auto-symbol abbreviation (Autokennzeichen) for Switzerland?
CH (Confoederatio Helvetica)
What is the auto-symbol abbreviation (Autokennzeichen) for Liechtenstein?
FL (Furstentum Liechtenstein)
Name the colors of the German Flag in order and in German
schwarz, rot, gold
What does one find in a Tierpark?
animals
Give the correct English for this German idiom: Zu Hause ist am schönsten.
There is no place like home.
Where must a German always be before kissing a woman’s hand?
Indoors
On which hand do Germans wear their engagement rings?
Left
What term would a German woman use when referring to her husband?
mein Mann
On which side of a woman must a German always walk?
Left
In which hands Germans hold these utensils when eating?
Fork
Knife
Fork-Left
Knife-Right
Where to Germans place a hand that is not holding a utensil during the meal?
On the table besides the plate
This place has a varied menu of hot foods, including perhaps a Spezialitaumlt. Name it.
Restaurant
This place is a restaurant located in the city hall. Name it.
Der Ratskeller
This place is similar to American cafes and is frquently a source of authentic cooking; it’s found especially in small villages. Name it.
Die Gaststaette
This place is essentially a coffee house that usually has patries available and occasionally other snacks. Name it.
Das Cafe
This place is a pastry shop, where a patron may slowly sip a cup with Schlagsahne while he nibbles a piece of exotic pastry.
Die Konditorei
In local Gaststaetten, there is usually one of these. It is a table reserved for the group of regular patrons who spend a part of every evening around the table discussing the day’s events or arguing politics or playing cards.
Stammtisch
A newcomer can only sit at the Stammtisch when he is invited to join this.
Stammgaeste
The typical officer worker in Germany is more apt to keep his door in this condition than an American.
Closed
While most German city-dwellers own apartments with balconies, the balconies are built so that they are this.
Each balcony cannot be seen by other apartments in the building. (the basic gist)
This is a private home, where an effective fence is usually around the yard.
Einzelhaus
What do residents typically do to their drapes in the evening?
Draw the drapes closed.
This formal term is used for all adults except those who are family members or intimate friends.
Sie
Adults who are cordial with each other are this, but they still use the formal Sie.
Bekannte
This term is used for intimate friends who become part of one’s private life.
Freund; du
Germans usually do this when greeting each other and parting.
Shake hands
When a guest is invited to someone’s home, how early or late should they arrive?
Right on time; being “stylishly late” is frowned upon
When does the German school day end?
1 pm- there is no lunch break
About how many subjects does a typical student study, and about how many times does he study each of them per week.
8 or 9 subjects, each studied only 2 or 3 times a week
What is the nature of the relationship between German students and teachers?
Very formal setting
How many extracurricular activities do German schools usually provide?
NONE
What do students usually join outside of school to explore their own interests and hobbies?
Verein
Name the predominant denominations of Christianity in North and South Germany respectively.
North-Protestant (especially evangelisch, or Lutheran)
South-Roman Catholic
What do local governments usually collect to support the predominant church?
church tax
What do German schools offer as a regular part of their instruction, unlike American schools?
religious instruction
How long does the Christmas season extend?
One month
Which figure has a long beard and a bishop’s miter and staff? He comes in a sled drawn by a donkey on the evening of December 6 and brings sweets to good children.
Sankt Nikolaus
When are Christmas presents exchanged?
Christmas Eve
Which days are usually celebrated as part of religious holidays?
The festival day and the day that comes after
When does the holiday season officially end, and what is this day called?
January 6-der drei Koenigstag (day of the three kings)
What is Easter called in German?
Ostern
What holiday is usually celebrated with colored eggs, candies, egg hunts, rides, firewheels, and bonfires?
Easter
Which days are legal holidays around Easter?
Good Friday (Karfreitag) and the Monday following Easter
What festivals are held in Koblenz, Trier, Bingen, and most small towns in the regions that produce this.
Wine festivals
What festival, which dates back to 1442, is actually a wine festival held annually toward the end of September at Bad Duerkheim in the Pfalz.
Wurstmarkt
What festival dates back more than 150 years? This beer festival begins in September and continues into October.
Oktoberfest
What festival begins in November and continues until Lent? Some activities are scheduled in January and early February but the real celebration takes place during the last 2 weeks of Lent.
Karneval
What three cities are the big Karneval cities?
Koeln, Mainz, and Muenchen
Karneval goes by different names in each of the 3 Karneval cities. Name the three cities and their respective names for Karneval.
Koeln-Karneval
Mainz-Fastnacht
Muenchen-Fasching
In Schwabenland, Karneval takes this form, which involves many rituals from ancient German cults.
Fasnet
What is the most popular team sport?
Fussball
What do even fairly small villages have for public enjoyment of sports?
tennis courts, swimming pool
What is widely practiced in Germany and holds many tournaments to compete in this sport? In German, it is “Turnen”.
Gymnastics
What is especially popular in the highlands of South Germany?
skiing and mountain climbing
What is popular wherever there are lakes and rivers?
sailing and rowing
What do people often build and fly where the hills and mountains have good thermal currents?
glider planes
What is the love of nature, which is deeply ingrained in German culture?
die Naturliebe
What has become increasingly popular since WWII? Unlike Americans, German families usually do this only overnight and then moves on.
Camping
Students, hiking or on bicycles, can stay in these for very little money. Classes sometimes stay at these while on nature-study field trips.
Jugendherbergen
What are the two major religons in Germany?
Catholic and Protestant (evangelisch)
What is the the nationailty of the largest group of foreigners in Germany?
Turkish
Who is known as the father of the gymnastics movement?
Friedrich Jahn
What are the letters on the license plates in Switzerland?
CH
Give the German name for the round poles where one can read ads.
Litfaßsäule
What is a Frankfurter Kranz?
Eine Torte
What are the dates for the two official days of Christmas in Germany?
December 25, 26
What German-American was the most famous rocket scientist of both countries and developed the U.S. space program?
Wernher von Braun
What is “Kaiserstuhler Silvaner”?
a wine
What are Konigsberger Klopse?
meatballs
How long is Weihnachten in Germany?
Two days
25. und 26. Dezember
What is Silvesterabend?
New Year’s Eve
What is another word for Karneval?
Fasching
Fastnacht
What is the mascot for Ostern?
Osterhasen
What and when is Tag der Arbeit?
- Mai
Labour Day
When is Ostern celebrated?
Ostersonntag
Ostermontag
What is the American equivalent to Faschingdienstag?
Shrove Tuesday; Mardi Gras
What is the most beloved sport in Germany?
Fußball
In which years did Germany win the World Cup?
1954
1974
1990
2014
About how many museums are there in Germany?
1500
Where is the Nation German Museum located?
Nürnberg
Besides German films, what kind of films do movie-goers in Germany watch?
American
What location in Germany has the best ski terrain?
In the Alps and the Black Forest
Die Alpe) (Der Schwarzwald
Besides Fußball, what is another famous sport in Germany?
Tennis
What attraction would you find in the Northern part of Germany?
Seas
What activity would you participate in if you were at die Rhön?
Segelfliegen
Gliding
In which city does the International Riding Tournament take place?
Frankfurt
What is the German proverb for “To build air castles” or to be overoptimistic?
Luftschlösser bauen.
What is the German proverb for “to have a hangover”?
Einen Kater haben.
What is the German proverb for “to press your thumbs” or keep your fingers crossed?
Die Daumen drücken
What is the German proverb for “You´re driving me crazy.”?
Du gehst mir tierisch auf den Keks
What is the German proverb for “Escape a risky situation”?
Die Kuh vom Eis holen.
What is the German proverb for “Let’s put an end to this”?
Klappe zu, Affe tot.
What is the German proverb for “I don’t believe it”?
Ich glaube, mein Schwein pfeift.
What is the German proverb for “This is the cause of that”?
Da liegt der Hase im Pfeffer!
What is the German proverb for “There’s no fool like an old fool”?
Alter schützt vor Torheit nicht.
What is the German proverb for “Don’t bite the hand that feeds you”?
Beiß nicht in die Hand, die dich füttert.
What is the German proverb for “Wicked tongues will wag”?
Böse Zungen reden gern.
What is the German proverb for “We seek fortune. Misfortune seeks us”?
Das Glück suchen wir, das Unglück sucht uns.
What is the German proverb for “All things are pure to the pure in heart?”
Dem Reinen ist alles rein.
What is the German proverb for “There’s no cure for stupidity”?
Doof bleibt doof, da helfen keine Pillen!
What is the German proverb for “You can do what you will, if you will do what you can.”?
Du kannst alles, was du willst, wenn du nur willst, was du kannst.
What is the German proverb for “Time is a great healer.”?
Die Zeit heilt alle Wunden.
What is the German proverb for “Honesty is the best policy”?
Ehrlich währt am längsten.
What is the German proverb for “A fool can ask more questions than seven wise men can answer”?
Ein Narr kann mehr fragen, als sieben Weise sagen.
What is the German proverb for “First work, then play!”?
Erst die Arbeit, dann das Vergnügen!
What is the German proverb for “Don’t worry about what you can’t change”?
Glücklich ist, wer vergisst, was nicht mehr zu ändern ist.
What is the German proverb for “God helps those who help themselves”?
Hilf dir selbst, so hilft dir Gott.
What is the German proverb for “Brevity is the soul of wit?”
In der Kürze liegt die Würze.
What is the German proverb for “Man forges his own destiny?”
Jeder ist seines Glückes Schmied!
What is the German proverb for “The way to man’s heart is through his stomach.”?
Liebe geht durch den Magen.
What is the German proverb for “Love and understanding are rarely found together.”?
Liebe und Verstand gehen selten Hand in Hand.
What is the German proverb for “Lying will get you nowhere.”?
Lügen haben kurze Beine.
What is the German proverb for Necessity is the mother of invention.”?
Not bricht Eisen/Not macht erfinderisch.
What is the German proverb for “Better safe than sorry”?
Sicher ist sicher.
What is the German proverb for “Still waters run deep”?
Stille Wasser sind tief. (Stille Wasser sind oft tief.)
What is the German proverb for “It’s easier to forgive than forget”?
Vergeben ist leichter als vergessen.
What is the German proverb for “From the frying pan into the fire?”
Vom Regen in die Traufe.
What is the German proverb for “One should use his head to save his back?”
Was man nicht im Kopf hat, muss man in den Beinen haben.
What is the German proverb for “We believe what we wish to believe?”
Was man wünscht, glaubt man gern.
What is the German proverb for “Tit for tat?”
Wie du mir, so ich dir.
What is the German proverb for “Speak of the devil and he is sure to appear.”?
Wenn man den Teufel nennt, kommt er gerennt.
What is the German proverb for “Mind your own business”?
Wer anderen in die Töpfe guckt, hat selbst nichts drin.
What is the German proverb for “A penny saved is a penny earned”?
Wer den Pfennig nicht ehrt, ist des Talers nicht wert.
What is the German proverb for “Ask a silly question and you’ll get a silly answer”?
Wer dumm fragt, bekommt dumme Antworten.
What is the German proverb for “You cannot make an omelet without breaking eggs”?
Wo gehobelt wird, fallen Späne.
Give the German name for the warm, dry winter winds that come over the northern Alps from the Mediterranean and are blamed for everything from an increase in accidents to an increase in headaches?
Föhn(wind)
Give the German name for the famous boy’s vocal group from Vienna?
Wiener Sängerknaben
Two part question. Name the oldest zoo in the German-speaking world and the city in which it is found?
Schönbrunn Zoo Vienna (Wien)
What is a Stau?
traffic jam
