‘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?

When people translate the German word “Rückseite,” they often use the word “backside” in English.

In British English, the word “backside” means the part of your body that you sit on.

(Other words we use include “bottom,” “buttocks,” “rear,” “posterior,” “bum” or even“arse”.)

That’s why I recommend using words like “the back,” “the other side” or “the reverse” to avoid confusion.

The English language has many words with different meanings.

Take the word “slip,” for example. It can mean to fall or slide. But it can also mean a piece of underwear.

Imagine saying you had a slip in the office—you might give your colleagues the wrong idea!

Have you ever experienced an embarrassing mix-up of words at work?

Have you set yourself goals for the upcoming year?

I know it might seem a bit cliché to only set goals because a “new” year is beginning (considering every day is a new day). But I find setting annual goals is actually very helpful. It’s much better than going through the year without any specific goals in mind, don’t you think?

So I’d like to share my personal list with you.

This year, I plan to…

• make self-care a non-negotiable part of my routine, whether it’s through exercise, mindfulness or relaxation.
• set boundaries on the time spent on electronic devices to create a healthier balance in my life.
• spend more time with those who support me already instead of seeking new connections.
• say yes only to things that genuinely excite me.
• dedicate time to acquiring a new skill or gaining knowledge in a subject that interests me.
• finish what I start before taking on new tasks.
• compare myself to who I was yesterday, not to others.
• avoid using “should” and make decisions more decisively.
• embrace fear to challenge myself.
• simplify things even when I think they’re ready.

And you? What do you plan to do this year?