German Words Explained

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Society & Culture

What's German Words Explained about?

A joint podcast from AllThingsGerman.net and Pension-Sprachschule.de

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German Words Explained episodes:

12.31.2009
Silvester and Wunderkerzen
We finish the series by talking about sparklers
12.30.2009
Lametta
A German Christmas decoration
12.24.2009
Der Weihnachtsmann
One of the bringers of presents on Christmas Eve
12.23.2009
Raeucherkerzen
Scented candles used in Christmas decorations
12.16.2009
Bergmannsfigur
A wooden candle holder shaped like a miner or angel
12.09.2009
Schwibbogen
A wooden arch-shaped candle holder
12.02.2009
Weihnachtskrippe
The name for a Nativity scene
12.01.2009
News December 2009
News about our forthcoming transcript store
11.25.2009
Finanzkrise und notleidende Banken
A word used to describe the economic climate, with an ironic twist
11.18.2009
Herdpraemie
A incentive for parents of pre-school children to stay at home and look after them
11.11.2009
Freiwillige Ausreise
A term used to describe one of the choices facing asylum seekers in Germany
11.04.2009
Entlassungsproduktivitaet
A way of describing an increase in productivity by workforce reduction
10.28.2009
Humankapital
A way of describing the value of an employee in a company
10.21.2009
Taetervolk
A way of describing the collective guilt of a nation's people
10.14.2009
Ich-AG
A form of self-employment
10.07.2009
Walpurgisnacht
A traditional gathering of witches at the end of April
09.30.2009
Unfrei
A term meaning that post is paid for by the recipient.
09.23.2009
Kurbelinduktor
A hand-operated dynamo.
09.16.2009
Klappenschrank
A piece of telephone equipment used to connect people.
09.09.2009
UMTS
A faster method of data transfer in mobile phone networks
09.03.2009
GPRS
A method of data transfer in mobile phone networks
08.26.2009
PAngV
A law in Germany that governs e.g. how prices are displayed
08.19.2009
ppa
A Latin abbreviation meaning per procura
08.12.2009
Teuro
Wort des Jahres 2002
08.05.2009
Das alte Europa
Wort des Jahres 2003
07.29.2009
Zuendwarensteuer
A tax on matches and lighters in Germany - now discontinued.
07.22.2009
Zuckersteuer
A tax on sugar in Germany - now discontinued.
07.15.2009
Saltsteuer
A tax on table salt in Germany - now discontinued.
07.08.2009
Leuchtmittelsteuer
A tax on light bulbs in Germany - now discontinued.
07.01.2009
Teesteuer
A tax on tea in Germany - now discontinued.
06.24.2009
Die Gruenen
The Green Party in Germany.
06.17.2009
FDP
A liberal political party that is often a coalition partner in Germany.
06.10.2009
SPD
A political party founded in the 19th Cenutry in Germany.
06.03.2009
CDU - CSU
Two political parties founded in the 1940s in Germany.
05.27.2009
Jugendamt
The office that is responsible for child welfare in Germany
05.20.2009
Wahlamt
The office that organises elections in Germany
05.13.2009
Jagdsteuer
A tax on hunting and fishing
05.06.2009
Hundesteuer
A tax on dogs in private households
04.29.2009
Hausnotruf
A system for people living at home on their own to call for help in an emergency
04.22.2009
GSM
The mobile phone standard in Germany
04.15.2009
Amtsleitung
The phone line from the home end to the exchange
04.08.2009
Vorwahl
The German word for an STD code
04.01.2009
DSL
Digital Subscriber Line - High-Speed Internet
03.25.2009
Gruendonnerstag
The German name for Maundy Thursday
03.18.2009
Osterfeuer
A bonfire that is it for a Church service on Easter Saturday
03.11.2009
Osterhase
The German name for the Easter Bunny
03.04.2009
Osterei
Easter Eggs.
02.25.2009
Aschermittwoch
The start of Lent. A day to go to church, and a day of political meetings.
02.18.2009
Fastenzeit
The period between Ash Wednesday and Easter
02.11.2009
Karnevalsumzug
An procession that takes place during the Karneval season