German Vocabulary
The year before kids enter the first grade, they attend this
Kindergarten
this translates to “garden of children” in German
Oktoberfest is celebrated every year spanning these two fall months
September and October
This Benz is a popular German car in North America
Mercedes
This dish is made of fermented cabbage
Sauerkraut
This twentieth century physicist and mathematician is best known for his theory of relativity
Albert Einstein
Typical round lettuce used in sandwiches or what brought down the Titanic. It translates to “mountain of ice.”
Iceberg
It is the traditional alcoholic beverage served at Oktoberfest
Beer
Some of its vehicles are the Microbus, also known as the Van, and the beetle, also known as the Bug
Volkswagen
This hard, twisted bread or biscuit became the snack of choice on airlines when peanuts became too expensive to serve
Pretzel
This German developed a mechanical printing press named for him
Johannes Gutenberg
It is German for “thank you”, and it is the first word of the song made famous by Wayne Newton
Danke
Wayne Newton’s rendition of the song is called “Danke Shoen”
This is the traditional outfit worn by women - a dress with a defined bodice and low neckline, a tight waist, and a gathered skirt
Dirndl
This hydrogen-filled German airship exploded while attempting to land in Lakehurst, New Jersey, in 1937
Hindenburg
This is the name for grilled sausage, a popular street food made with pork and veal
Bratwurst
This theologians words were the catalyst for the 16th century reformation that swept through the Protestant Church
Martin Luther
A five-letter word beginning with A that means “fear“ and is spelled the same way in German and English. It also means “apprehension and uneasiness“
Angst
Oktoberfest was first held in this century
19th
the inaugural event was held in 1810
This three letter German car is known as the ultimate driving machine and the ultimate driving experience
BMW
This cake named for a famous German forest is stuffed with chocolate and cherries, soaked in liquor, and “iced” with whipped cream
Black Forest cake
Known as the “iron chancellor” He ruled Prussia and then all of Germany between 1862 and 1890
Otto von Bismarck
Merriam-Webster calls it “the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era.” Another definition is a spirit of an era
Zeitgeist
The first Oktoberfest was held in celebration of this event
A wedding or marriage
it was held to celebrate Crown Prince Ludwigs marriage to Prineeds Teresa. The entire city of Munich was invited to the event
A long time favorite of this German auto manufacturer is the 911 sportscar
Porsche
The classic version of this pastry has a very thin, flakey crust stuffed with lemon soaked apples and rum-soaked raisins, all sprinkled with cinnamon
Apple Strudel
This philosopher, physician, and theologian spent much of his life as a mission doctor in Africa, opened a leper colony while there, and won the 1952 Nobel Peace Prize
Albert Schweitzer