Have you ever stumbled upon an English word and racked your brain for the perfect German match, but couldn’t find a suitable German equivalent?

Don’t worry. You’re not alone. 

Let’s chat about two of them: “cheesy” and “binge-watch.”

Starting with “cheesy.”

When you hear it, you might dream of melting mozzarella or a gooey grilled cheese. But when Brits or Americans refer to something as “cheesy,” they don’t necessarily mean something that’s tasty. It’s more of a way of saying that something is kitschy or overly sentimental. 

Think about it. Was the last time you watched that romantic movie really heart-wrenching, or was it just “cheesy”?

Now, let’s look at “binge-watch.”

You’ve probably had this experience. Your new favourite show comes out on Netflix and before you know it, you’ve stayed up all night and watched two seasons in one go.

Congratulations! You’re officially a binge-watcher! Yes, that’s right: we don’t have an exact German word for that either.

Well, that wraps up our mini trek through translation tricky spots! 

Which other English expressions do you think are untranslatable? 

 

English is the world language par excellence. It’s the language of business, science and culture. Anyone who speaks English has access to a world of possibilities.

However, learning a new language can be a challenge. It requires time, effort and discipline.

But guess what? There’s a cool trick to make it easier!

The trick is to be curious.

When you’re curious, you’re motivated to learn something new. You’re willing to invest time and effort.

But how can you spark that curiosity?

Here are some tips:

• Find something that interests you. What do you love? What do you want to learn?
• Look for English content that deals with your interests. This could include books, films, music, podcasts or online articles.
• Try to learn English in context. When you read or hear something that interests you, it’s easier to understand.

For example:

• If you love music, listen to English songs or watch music videos.
• If you enjoy watching films, check out films or TV shows on Netflix.
• If you’re a bookworm, try English books or online articles.
• If you like staying up to date on current affairs, listen to English news broadcasts or podcasts.

When you spark your curiosity, you’ll learn much faster and more easily.

It’s New Year’s Day. Today is a great day to start a new routine.

Are you ready?

Welcome to 2024!

It’s not just any old year—it’s a leap year! That means we get an extra day of excitement at the end of February, as we drive into this unique and promising year together.

You know, leap years come with all sorts of quirky superstitions and fascinating traditions in different cultures. Some people believe the added day brings good luck, while others view it with a tinge of scepticism.

Imagine being born on 29th February—what do you think? People call those special babies “leap day babies” or “Leaplings,” and they only get to have a proper birthday party every four years.

But in Scotland, it’s thought that babies born on leap day might have a tough life ahead—how strange is that?

Now, here’s an interesting tradition from Ireland: women can propose to their partners on leap day. (Sounds a bit old-fashioned, doesn’t it?)

Some folks think it’s unlucky to get married during a leap year. They believe that marriages on leap day often end in divorce.

Whether you embrace these superstitions or debunk them, the most important thing is to stay optimistic and open to change.

So, let’s kick off this leap year with a big leap of enthusiasm and curiosity! Are you ready for an exciting journey through 2024?

Now, here’s a question for you: What quirky customs do you know for the leap year?

‘Must‘ seems simple—it means ‘müssen‘ in German.

But here’s the tricky part: ‘mustn’t‘ doesn’t mean ‘nicht müssen’ as you might think.

No, it actually means ‘nicht dürfen‘. Yes, that’s right!

‘Nicht müssen‘ is actually ‘needn’t‘ or ‘not to have to‘ in English.

English can be a bit tricky sometimes, can’t it?

You want to say something innocent and suddenly you’re caught in the trap of this tricky word ‘must‘. It’s a little word with a big impact! Who would’ve thought?

So, if you said “I mustn’t work today.”—thinking it means “Ich muss heute nicht arbeiten.” or “Ich brauche heute nicht zu arbeiten,” you’re wrong. It actually means “Ich darf heute nicht arbeiten!” That makes the day off sound much less relaxed, doesn’t it? 

Why am I telling you all this?

Because every word we use is important. The right words can make the difference between understanding and confusion or happiness and frustration.

Now that you know about this tricky word, you can be careful and avoid making mistakes in your next English conversation!

But wait! Before you go … Have you ever misunderstood any English words before? I’d love to hear your stories!

Do you ever wonder what word describes the feeling when all four children and their families go back home after Christmas, and suddenly, the house is so quiet?

As if a tornado had swept through your living room, and now… Silence. Absolute calm. 

I stumbled upon the perfect word for it:”etterath” (according to the ‘Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows‘*) (In German, I’d call it “Nachleer”.)

Who can relate?

It’s that strange sense of emptiness paired with relief, fatigue mixed with contentment. The feeling when the long marathon is finally over, with all the endorphins waving goodbye.

But how do you bounce back from etterath? Here are my top three quick fixes:

1️⃣ First off, be kind to yourself. Now’s the time to curl up with that book you’ve been eyeing or go out in nature. (I’ve been working on my “Sparks of English”, something I love doing!)

2️⃣ Second tip: Do a reality check! Sure, the silence can be uncomfortable, but remind yourself that it’s only temporary. Soon, the place will be buzzing again before you know it. (Easter, maybe?)

3️⃣ Last tip: Stay in touch! With a quick video call or message, it’s like your family never left. (Our go-to is WhatsApp. Works like a charm!)

Remember, etterath usually hits us after significant events or tough times. And guess what? It’s totally normal. Think of it as the calm after the storm.

And the best part? Each of us can learn to deal with this feeling and even turn it into a valuable experience!

Now it’s your turn. How do you handle etterath? Got any stories or advice?

————–

* “The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows” is a project created by John Koenig. In this project, he makes up and explains new words for feelings that don’t have a specific word to describe them.

Can you picture this?

You stroll into a supermarket and it’s like a little bubble of calm. No dizzy lights or blaring noises. Just a peaceful spot for your shopping spree. A place that doesn’t attack your senses or blast tunes in your ear. 🎶

Nope, this isn’t some kind of sci-fi show—it’s waaay cooler: “Sensory-friendly hours“!

Here’s the deal, it’s super straightforward but oh-so-smart.

Retail giants like Walmart have realised they can welcome more customers by setting up special hours for people who get overwhelmed by too much sensory stuff. We’re talking about people with Autism, ADHD or anyone who wants a quieter shopping trip.

During “sensory-friendly hours,” Walmart dims down the lights, kills the music and announcements, and minimises staff in the aisles. All to make shopping less of a hassle. They even tone down the eye-catching stuff. It’s like turning the volume knob of the whole store waaay down.

It’s not just a slick move to sell more. It’s like giving a big, warm hug of understanding and letting everyone know they matter. It’s about seeing people—all kinds of people—and saying, “Hey, we get you.”

Instead of just talking about inclusion, these people are putting it into action. And the best part? It shows us all how easy it can be to create spaces where EVERYONE can feel comfortable.

Now, I’m curious about your opinion! What do you think of “sensory-friendly hours“? Are such initiatives necessary in our supermarkets too? Perhaps you’ve experienced them yourself, or you know someone who could benefit from them?