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14 German Words And Their Unexpected Literal Translations

I really wish we called gloves hand-shoes.

Chenay Gladstone

Aug 14, 2017

Arizona State University

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14 German Words And Their Unexpected Literal Translations

When learning a language, you’ll always find unique words. While building vocabulary is important, it can be dangerous to take words for their literal meaning. Sometimes the literal meanings can be trusted, and other times they can’t. Here are 14 Germans words with memorable meanings:

1. Übermorgen

Noun. Literal meaning: “over morning.” Meaning: the day after tomorrow.

2. Vorgestern

Noun. Literal translation: “before yesterday.” Meaning: the day before yesterday.

3. Ohrwurm

Noun. Literal translation: “ear worm.” Meaning: Like, a song you can’t get out of your head.

4. Fernweh

Noun. Literal translation: “far pain.” Meaning: the desire to be somewhere other than home. The opposite of homesickness.

5. Kopfkino

Noun. Literal translation: “head theater.” Meaning: When you visualize how something plays out.

6. Handschuhe

Noun. Literal translation: “hand shoes.” Meaning: gloves.

7. Schneckenhaus

Noun. Literal translation: “snail house.” Meaning: snail shell.

8. Muskelkater

Noun. Literal translation: “muscle hangover.” Meaning: soreness.

9. Löwenzahn

Noun. Literal translation: “lion tooth.” Meaning: dandelion.

10. Krankenhaus

Noun. Literal translation: “sick house.” Meaning: hospital.

11. Hörbuch

Noun. Literal translation: “hear book.” Meaning: audiobook.

12. Weißrussland

Noun. Literal translation: “white Russia.” Meaning: Belarus.

13. Sparschwein

Noun. Literal translation: “save pig.” Meaning: piggy bank.

14. Zuckerwatte

Noun. Literal translation: “sugar cotton.” Meaning: cotton candy.

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14 German Words And Their Unexpected Literal Translations

I really wish we called gloves hand-shoes.

1. Übermorgen

2. Vorgestern

3. Ohrwurm

4. Fernweh

5. Kopfkino

6. Handschuhe

7. Schneckenhaus

8. Muskelkater

9. Löwenzahn

10. Krankenhaus

11. Hörbuch

12. Weißrussland

13. Sparschwein

14. Zuckerwatte

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Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1. When he just wanted bacon from his George Foreman grill

2. When he had money (and Jan) issues

3. When he got upstaged at Phyllis' wedding

4. When he unintentionally saved Meredith from rabies

5. When he wore a "bisexual" suit

6. When he had to apologize to Jesus

7. When his GPS drove him into a lake

8. When he had to deal with Ryan as his boss

9. When he couldn't fulfill his most generous empty promise

10. When this happened

11. When he struggled with a X-Mas break up

12. When he had to defend his generosity

13. When he threw a classy Christmas party for Holly but she had a boyfriend

14. When he had to stand up to peer pressure

15. When Toby was "Toby-ish"

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Smash Things Against a Wall

Spontaneously Begin an Irish Jig

Call Your Mother

Throw a Coffee Table Out a Window

Sing "Auld Lang Syne" at the Top of Your Lungs

Do Some Squats

Swan Dive into a Nearly Freezing Body of Water

Take a Shot

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2. I will look decent for class.

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4. I will go to the library and study more.

5. I will meet new people.

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Oh, so done.

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