German Vocab
The year before kids enter first grade, they attend this.
What is Kindergarten?
It translates to “garden for children.” Kindergarten was first introduced in Germany in the early 19th century. Those who fled Germany in 1948 brought the idea to the United States.
Oktoberfest is celebrated every year, spanning these two fall months.
What are September and October?
This high mountain range in Germany is often associated with Switzerland.
What is the Alps?
The Alps mountain range crosses seven countries: France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Germany, Liechtenstein, and Slovenia. In Germany, the range is called the Bavarian Alps since it is in Bavaria at the southern tip of the country.
This hard, twisted bread or biscuit became the snack of choice on airlines when peanuts became too expensive to serve.
What is pretzel?
In German, pretzels are called brezeln, and they’re served with mustard on the side for dipping.
This twentieth-century physicist and mathematician is best known for his theory of relativity.
Who is (Albert) Einstein?
He won the Nobel Prize for Physics in 1921. He was once asked to be the president of Israel, but he declined. He felt he was not qualified for the position.
Typical round lettuce used in sandwiches
What is iceberg?
We often hear that iceberg lettuce is devoid of any nutritional value; however, it has more protein than many other lettuce varieties, and it contains vitamins A and K, folate, and potassium.
It is the traditional alcoholic beverage served at Oktoberfest.
What is beer?
Beer produced in Germany is darker and stronger than traditional North American beer. Beer made in Munich’s breweries are the only ones served during the festival.
It is the capital of the state of Bavaria and begins with the letter M.
What is Munich?
Bavaria is the largest state, located in the southeast corner of Germany.
This is the name for grilled sausage, a popular street food made with pork and veal.
What is bratwurst?
It’s made with pork and veal and seasoned with ginger, nutmeg, coriander, and/or caraway. It is served with sauerkraut and mustard and/or ketchup. Knockwurst is a boiled sausage made with ground beef and pork.
This German developed a mechanical printing press named for him.
Who is (Johannes) Gutenberg?
The first printing press was created in China sometime during the first millennium AD, but 150 years later, Gutenberg perfected it for commercial use.
German for thank you.
What is Danke?
Wayne Newton’s rendition of the song “Danke Shoen” (DON kuh SHAYN) made it to No.13 on the Billboard chart in 1963.
This is the traditional outfit worn by women—a dress with a defined bodice and low neckline, a tight waist, and a gathered skirt.
What is dirndl (DERN duhl)?
The position of the bow signifies the wearer’s relationship status. The bow is tied on the right for those in a relationship and on the left for singles. Young girls tie the bow in the middle.
It is Germany’s largest river.
What is the Rhine?
In the west, the Rhine separates Germany from France.
This cake named for a famous German forest is stuffed with chocolate and cherries, soaked in liquor, and “iced” with whipped cream.
What is black forest?
The official name for the cake is very long and translates into “cake soaked in Kirsch before being baked.”
This theologian’s words were the catalyst for the 16th-century reformation that swept through the Protestant Church.
Who is Martin Luther?
He left the study of law to adopt a monastic life.
A five-letter word beginning with "A" that means "fear" and is spelled the same way in German and English.
What is Angst?
Oktoberfest was first held in this century.
What is 19th?
The inaugural event was held in 1810. It was held to celebrate Crown Prince Ludwig’s marriage to Princess Teresa. The entire city of Munich was invited to the event.
Germany is bordered on the west by this small country beginning with the letter L.
What is Luxembourg?
Half of Luxembourg’s workforce comes from other countries, including Germany
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.
What is apple strudel?
You can use a flakey piecrust for the dough if you prefer a less brittle crust.
This 17th- and 18th-century classical musician composed more than 600 pieces during the Baroque era. His most famous works are Brandenburg Concerts (six works), Concerto No. 1 for clavier and orchestra (D minor), and The Art of Fugue.
Who is (Johann Sebastian) Bach?
Both his parents died when he was 10 years old. Before he began composing in earnest, he worked as an organist in a church.
Merriam-Webster calls it "the general intellectual, moral, and cultural climate of an era."
What is Zeitgeist?
Translated literally, it means “spirit of the time”; for example, Woodstock captured the zeitgeist of the 1960s.
This U.S. city hosts the largest Oktoberfest in America.
What is Cincinnati? It is called Oktoberfest Zinzinnati and hosts approximately half a million guests. Other significant Oktoberfests in North America include Toronto and Nashville.
Germany abuts two seas. Name one of them.
What is the Baltic or the North?
Both seas are sometimes referred to as the German Riviera.
This pounded and breaded, fried cutlet of veal is often served with a side of potatoes or spatzle, boiled egg noodles.
What is Wiener schnitzel?
If it is made with a meat other than veal, it is simply called schnitzel. Leftovers make great sandwiches.
Known as the “Iron Chancellor,” he ruled Prussia and then all of Germany between 1862 and 1890. Hint: He shares part of his last name with the capital of North Dakota.
Who is Otto von Bismarck?
He was a master strategist that initiated wars with Denmark, Austria, and France to unite 39 independent German states under Prussian leadership.