Don’t always trust a dictionary—or as the Germans might say, “Vertraue nicht immer einem Wörterbuch!”

Why, you ask?

Well, let’s just say that words can be tricky little devils, and even the most well-meaning dictionary can lead you astray.

Take the word “set,” for example.

According to the Oxford English Dictionary, “set” has over 400 different meanings and uses. That’s right, four HUNDRED!

So if you rely solely on a dictionary to understand the word “set,” you might end up more confused than a penguin at the equator.

And don’t even get me started on idioms.

Imagine trying to understand the phrase “it’s raining cats and dogs” by looking up each individual word in a dictionary. You’d probably end up thinking that the skies were literally filled with furry creatures!

Of course, I’m not saying you should throw your dictionaries out the window (please don’t, they’re heavy and could hurt someone).

But when it comes to learning English, it’s important to remember that language is a living organism that can’t always be contained within the pages of a book.

So the next time you come across a word or phrase that doesn’t quite make sense, don’t be afraid to ask an advanced speaker or do a little extra research.

And if all else fails, just smile and nod and hope for the best.

It’s worked for me so far!

If you could hop on a time machine and change one thing from your past, what would it be?

Don’t we all have moments where we wish we could turn back the clock and start anew?

But instead of dwelling on what could have been, why not focus on what can be?

As Maria Robinson wisely said,

“Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending.”

We have the power to take action and make different choices. Choices that align with our values and goals.

We can begin to write a new chapter in our lives. A chapter that is filled with hope, growth, and possibility.

Let’s take the first step today and see where it takes us.

Who knows what amazing things we can achieve when we choose to learn from our past mistakes and move forward with renewed purpose and determination?

The possibilities are endless!

 

 

 

Have you ever noticed how a simple shift in language can completely change the way you feel?

Instead of saying “I can’t” saying “I can” can transform a situation from one of helplessness to one of possibility.

Let’s have a look how we can bring more positivity into our lives!

Of course, you know these words in German. But how can you translate them into English?

You can’t. They’re untranslatable.

Let’s take a closer look

1. Schadenfreude: This is a word used to describe the feeling of pleasure derived from someone else’s misfortune. It is a compound of the words ‘Schaden’ meaning harm, and ‘Freude’ meaning joy.
2. Zeitgeist: This word is used to describe the mood or spirit of a certain time or time period in history. It is a combination of the words ‘Zeit’ meaning time and ‘Geist’ meaning spirit.
3. Kummerspeck: This word is used to describe the excess weight gained from emotional overeating. It is a compound of the words ‘Kummer’ meaning sorrow or grief, and ‘Speck’ meaning fat.
4. Fremdschämen: This word is used to describe the feeling of embarrassment or shame on behalf of someone else’s actions. It is a combination of the words ‘Fremd’ meaning foreign or other, and ‘Schämen’ meaning to feel ashamed.

I thought this might help you to explain these words to a speaker of English.

Who knows, they may even come in handy in your next conversation!