German Culture

All about Germany

Bierocks – Meat and Cabbage Pies

These wonderful little meat pies are savory and delicious and make a great snack for school lunches, picnics or long car rides. Ingredients: Dough 1 tbsp sugar 300 ml warm water 1 package of active dry yeast 500 g all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting 1 tsp fine sea salt 1 tbsp sunflower oil, plus extra for … [Read more...]

German Idioms – Part 4

Concluding our series, Part 4 presents the final batch of German idioms that encapsulate the language's charm and expressiveness. From “Es ist mir Wurst” to “Lügen haben kurze Beine,” these phrases offer a glimpse into German humor and pragmatism. Dive in to complete your idiomatic journey. Sich freuen wie ein Schneekönig Literally: to be as merry … [Read more...]

Cosima Wagner – the Lady of Bayreuth and Richard Wagner’s Wife

"I had neither mother nor father. Richard was everything to me. He is the only one who has given me love. " - Cosima Wagner Cosima Wagner (born December 25, 1837, Bellagio, Lombardy, Austrian Empire [now in Italy] - died April 1, 1930, Bayreuth, Germany), wife of the composer Richard Wagner and director of the Bayreuth Festivals from his death … [Read more...]

German Pronunciation

When you first start learning about German pronunciation, it can be intimidating. There are a lot of myths about the German language. People talk about how difficult and ugly it is, and how different it is from languages like English. But many people don't realize that English is actually a Germanic language! That’s why so many words and sounds are … [Read more...]

Smoked Sausage and Cabbage Soup

Beer, cabbage and smoked sausage in one warming and cozy pot - what's not to love? Enjoy this delicious mix on chilly afternoons. Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil 400 g beef smoked sausage, cut into bite-size slices 1 onion, sliced into thin semi-circles 1/2 head small cabbage, halved again, cored and thinly sliced 1/2 teaspoon freshly … [Read more...]

8 Facts About the Umlaut

The German alphabet consists of 26 characters plus 3 umlauts: ä, ö and ü. The two dots above the letters do not indicate an accentuation or emphasis of the syllable (as for instance accent-bearing letters in Spanish or French). Umlauts are used as independent characters in the German language. Whenever the use of umlauts is not possible (e.g. … [Read more...]

Bertha Benz – the Automotive Pioneer

Bertha Benz (May 3, 1849 – May 5, 1944) was a German automotive pioneer. She was the business partner and wife of automobile inventor Karl Benz. In 1888, she was the first person to drive an automobile over a long distance. In doing so, she brought the Benz Patent-Motorwagen worldwide attention and got the company its first sales. Two years before … [Read more...]

German Adverbs

Similar to English, German adverbs are words that modify verbs, adjectives or other adverbs. They are used to indicate a place, time, cause, and manner, and they can be found in various parts of a sentence. Adverbs are divided into four main groups: Adverbs of Place Adverbs of Time Adverbs of Manner and Degree Adverbs Indicating … [Read more...]

Hackbraten – Meatloaf

Hackbraten is a great dish for dinner parties – it’s a nice-looking meat dish yet comparably cheap because it’s made with minced meat. What’s more, you can prepare it in advance, store it in the fridge and let it bake in the oven while you entertain your guests. Serve with mashed potatoes or Spätzle. Ingredients: 500 g ground beef (or 1/2 … [Read more...]

German Women – Scientists and Inventors

Here are seven German female inventors whose innovations, both large and small, have improved our world in various ways. Caroline Lucretia Herschel Caroline Lucretia Herschel (1750-1848) was the first woman to receive full recognition in the world of astronomy. Between 1786 and 1797, she discovered eight comets and 14 nebulae. She received many … [Read more...]