so was von (so etwas von): "so something of"; so, so very, very, extremely
This is another phrase I keeping wanting to pop into my English thoughts/conversations. Just the other day, I wanted to say to my dog, "You are so was von naughty!" Helps get more frustration out than just saying, "You are so naughty!" The longer the sentence, the more aggression gets out, right? That's just me? Oh... Well, then...
I'll give you guys a few examples in German:
Du bist so was von schön! You are so pretty!
Ich bin so was von müde! I am extremely tired!
Er war so was von heiß! He was so hot!
This phrase can pretty much always replace the word sehr (very) in any sentence. I find it to be much more expressive and puts a lot more emphasis on what you're saying.
Also, "so was von" is a shortened version of "so etwas von". Jus' so ya know.
Another short one, but I hope it was informative and fun, anyway! :-)
Bis dann!
Wednesday, October 29, 2014
Wednesday, October 22, 2014
Witzige/Wichtige Worte on Wednesday III: "Jein"
jein: "yes-no"; kind of/kinda, sort of/sort, yes and no, more or less
I actually didn't use this word too often, but the one time I did was kind of funny. It was near the end of my exchange, and I had just met some new people. We, meaning my friends, these new acquaintances and myself, were sitting around, enjoy a few choice beverages (as young people are wont to do). One of the new people asked me a question, and I answered with "jein". They responded with, "WHAAA?? You even know jein???" I have a habit of surprising German people with my German-speaking prowess. ^_^
Bis dann!
I actually didn't use this word too often, but the one time I did was kind of funny. It was near the end of my exchange, and I had just met some new people. We, meaning my friends, these new acquaintances and myself, were sitting around, enjoy a few choice beverages (as young people are wont to do). One of the new people asked me a question, and I answered with "jein". They responded with, "WHAAA?? You even know jein???" I have a habit of surprising German people with my German-speaking prowess. ^_^
Bis dann!
Wednesday, October 15, 2014
Witzige/Wichtige Worte on Wednesday II: "Ohne Witz!"
ohne Witz: "without joke"; no joke, not kidding, seriously (I think you get the picture.)
I think "ohne Witz" is pretty clear. There shouldn't really be too much confusion as to when and how to use this phrase. I'm just talking about it, because I think it's fun to say. Oohhhh-neWitz! Plus, it's something one of my hostsisters would say all the time. And, since I thought it was so much fun to say, I would repeat it every time she said it. I was doing it so much, it started to become an automatic response! Ohne Witz!
Also, I just wanted to clarify what each of the parts of the first line are.
German word/phrase: "literal translation (if there is one)"; our English equivalent
Bis bald!
I think "ohne Witz" is pretty clear. There shouldn't really be too much confusion as to when and how to use this phrase. I'm just talking about it, because I think it's fun to say. Oohhhh-neWitz! Plus, it's something one of my hostsisters would say all the time. And, since I thought it was so much fun to say, I would repeat it every time she said it. I was doing it so much, it started to become an automatic response! Ohne Witz!
Also, I just wanted to clarify what each of the parts of the first line are.
German word/phrase: "literal translation (if there is one)"; our English equivalent
Bis bald!
Wednesday, October 8, 2014
Witzige/Wichtige Worte on Wednesday I: "Doch!"
doch: still, yet, however, on the contrary (can mean any one of these or multiple/all at the same time)
"Doch" is honestly one of the most useful words in the German language. You can stick in nearly countless sentences and phrases to add emphasis and/or cut corners. It's primarily used to negate a negative statement. This word is so pragmatic in the German language, I have to stop myself from using it in English conversations nearly every day. Let me give you an example from a few weekends ago.
My brother and his girlfriend were introducing me to an old high school friend of his. The conversation went something like this. (Parts written in italics were thoughts.)
Brother: Hey, Friend, this is my sister.
Friend: What? No way! I didn't know you had a sister!!!
Brother: Yeah, a lot of people don't.
Friend: I don't believe you! She's not your sister!
Me: Doch! I'm totally his sister.
Friend: Nuh-uh!
Me: Doch. No, really.
Brother: Dude, she's my sister.
Friend: She might be a cousin, but not your sister!
Me: Doch!
Girlfriend: Seriously, she's his sister.
Friend: No way!
Me: Doch!
It took showing this guy my and my brother's driver's licenses to convince him we're actually siblings.
But, that's not the only way to use doch. You can use it to put emphasis on something. Take the sentence "So you do want me to pick up dinner on the way home." The emphasis on "do" implies that the other person didn't want it at first, but changed their mind. If the English language had a direct and accurate translation of doch there would be no need for verbal emphasis, and the sentence would like this "So you want me to doch pick up dinner on the way home." Practical, no?
Doch. Very handy. Very versatile. Definitely a word we should adopt. I mean, we've already taken words like Doppelgänger, Zeitgeist and Sauerkraut. Doch is just the next logical step.
"Doch" is honestly one of the most useful words in the German language. You can stick in nearly countless sentences and phrases to add emphasis and/or cut corners. It's primarily used to negate a negative statement. This word is so pragmatic in the German language, I have to stop myself from using it in English conversations nearly every day. Let me give you an example from a few weekends ago.
My brother and his girlfriend were introducing me to an old high school friend of his. The conversation went something like this. (Parts written in italics were thoughts.)
Brother: Hey, Friend, this is my sister.
Friend: What? No way! I didn't know you had a sister!!!
Brother: Yeah, a lot of people don't.
Friend: I don't believe you! She's not your sister!
Me: Doch! I'm totally his sister.
Friend: Nuh-uh!
Me: Doch. No, really.
Brother: Dude, she's my sister.
Friend: She might be a cousin, but not your sister!
Me: Doch!
Girlfriend: Seriously, she's his sister.
Friend: No way!
Me: Doch!
It took showing this guy my and my brother's driver's licenses to convince him we're actually siblings.
But, that's not the only way to use doch. You can use it to put emphasis on something. Take the sentence "So you do want me to pick up dinner on the way home." The emphasis on "do" implies that the other person didn't want it at first, but changed their mind. If the English language had a direct and accurate translation of doch there would be no need for verbal emphasis, and the sentence would like this "So you want me to doch pick up dinner on the way home." Practical, no?
Doch. Very handy. Very versatile. Definitely a word we should adopt. I mean, we've already taken words like Doppelgänger, Zeitgeist and Sauerkraut. Doch is just the next logical step.
Thursday, October 2, 2014
Oops... And Oktoberfest!
So, clearly, I suck at this whole blogging-on-the-regular thing... I will start Witzige/Wichtige Worte on Wednesday next week. I promise!
And, to make up for my suck-ishness, here's a post about Germantown's Oktoberfest!
Sunday is Barlympics day. Bars from the area sign up to participate in different team challenges, such as barrel rolling and a water relay-race (no beer is wasted!). Each team comes dressed in themed costumes, which they design themselves. Awards are not only given to the winning bar's team, but also to the teams who stay at Oktoberfest the longest and are the life of the party, for example. Of course, the games are always timed in accordance with the Packer game. It would be almost a sin to not watch it!
This year was one of the biggest yet. Despite a slight shortage in volunteer staff, things ran smoothly, and it was a huge success. I can't wait for next year!
And, to make up for my suck-ishness, here's a post about Germantown's Oktoberfest!
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| Inside the Bier Tent 2010 |
Every year on the last Saturday and Sunday of September, Germantown hosts its own mini-Oktoberfest. This year was the 20th annual. And, like every year (at least every year I'm State-side), I volunteered. I work the kids' table. We paint pumpkins, make ornaments, and this year we did facepainting. It's always a big hit, and this year, it was huge! Normally, we go through 40 pumpkins over the whole weekend. This year, we went through 40 just on Saturday alone!
The big draw on Saturday is the Dachshund Dash. Every year for the past six years, we've featured a wiener dog race sponsored and organized by the Midwest Dachshund Rescue. People love it! When wienie time comes around, people flock to the race track to watch them go flying down the track. This year, I was so busy at my stand I didn't have the chance to watch the races myself. But, I could hear the crowds cheering, and knew it was a big hit once again. I could even hear the gasps and cries of sympathy when two dogs would collid mid-race (don't worry, no one got hurt!). Buddy, the five-year champ, took part in the race again this year. However, there was a big upset, and the trophy was bestowed upon a new wiener, I mean winner. (Pictures are right were taken at Germanfest in Milwaukee, but both races are hosted/sponsored by the same organization.)
Sunday is Barlympics day. Bars from the area sign up to participate in different team challenges, such as barrel rolling and a water relay-race (no beer is wasted!). Each team comes dressed in themed costumes, which they design themselves. Awards are not only given to the winning bar's team, but also to the teams who stay at Oktoberfest the longest and are the life of the party, for example. Of course, the games are always timed in accordance with the Packer game. It would be almost a sin to not watch it!
This year was one of the biggest yet. Despite a slight shortage in volunteer staff, things ran smoothly, and it was a huge success. I can't wait for next year!