ADVERTISEMENT

German may be the most widely spoken language in the European Union, but let's be honest - it's just downright funny sometimes. We roasted French, so now it's time for the German language to have its turn.

People around the world learning how to speak German have long struggled with German's fearsome grammar, in which multiple funny words are stuck together to make more descriptive terms. This leads to things like long, aggressive store names and job titles, as well as migraines for tourists and expats in Germany. The spelling of these long German words is an even more sensitive subject.

Since German is an ancestor to English, a lot of funny German words were passed down to us but changed in spelling over time. The original German forms of these words now have... Well, 'interesting' connotations. See for yourself below.

Oh, and just for the lols, here is the longest word in German - Donaudampfschifffahtselektrizitatenhauptbetriebswerkbauunterbeamtengessellschaft. Standing proudly at 80 letters, this word translates to "Association for Subordinate Officials of the Head Office Management of the Danube Steamboat Electrical Services" and is an absolutely real concoction of letters. Try not to break your tongue with it!

#2

Nobody Expected That From You, German Language

Nobody Expected That From You, German Language

linguisticconvoy Report

However, according to Olly Richards, a polyglot and the founder of I Will Teach You A Language, German actually isn't too difficult to master.

"One of the main reasons German isn’t all that hard to learn is that German and English originate from the same language families and share more similarities than you probably realize," Richards wrote. "Both German and English are Indo-European languages that stem from the Germanic family of languages. About 40% of German vocabulary is similar to English vocabulary, which is good news for native English speakers!"

ADVERTISEMENT
#3

Mastering A Second Language

 Mastering A Second Language

linguisticsyall Report

Richards said that pronunciation is also more straightforward than you might think and grammar is relatively easy to pick up thanks to recognizable patterns. "If we examine the phrases 'what is that?' and 'was ist das?', the connections are obvious."

Also, the polyglot thinks that it's is much easier to pronounce words phonetically in German than in English. "In English, letters often change sounds without any logical explanation. This isn’t the case in German."

"Although some aspects of German may seem difficult, once you break the language down, it's not actually that hard."

#5

There's A Word For Everything In German Language

There's A Word For Everything In German Language

TigerofDoom Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#8

The Language Of Poets

The Language Of Poets

lysa-bell Report

Add photo comments
POST
Troux
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

These all have direct English equivalents: "I got tossed in the back of a car" "We came together after the movie" "I gave my bird what she needed last night"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#10

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

linguisticconvoy Report

Add photo comments
POST
Juana
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Why do the write the names of the languages and then throw in Mexico? For continuity they should have written Spanish. And a flag of Spain.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#11

Hand Shoes Make Perfect Sense

Hand Shoes Make Perfect Sense

Dystopiancomics Report

Add photo comments
POST
Roman Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Here Germany makes much more sense. Why make up a new word when you can repurpose old ones? Gloves really are “hand shoes.”

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#14

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Volker Burmester
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Sechs is german for six and sound almost like sex. Vier means four in german and sounds like fear. And fünf is german for five.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#15

When German Language Wasn't Scary But Cute

When German Language Wasn't Scary But Cute

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Mary Peace
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The French say "How are you called?" when they want to know your name. I suppose it's like asking "How do I get your attention?" really.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#17

Best Photo From Trip To Berlin

Best Photo From Trip To Berlin

annoyingcommentguy Report

#18

When German Language Had Like A Gazillion Ways To Say "Why".

When German Language Had Like A Gazillion Ways To Say "Why".

_learn_german Report

Add photo comments
POST
Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

All of these have a different connotation and add to the richness of communication. You would also rather say "for which purpose do you use a rifle" than "why", if you seek to explore the intention.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#19

When A Single Letter Made A Huge Difference

When A Single Letter Made A Huge Difference

squidwardofficial Report

#20

When German Language Wasn't As Cold And Ugly As They Always Say … But Beautiful And Emotional

When German Language Wasn't As Cold And Ugly As They Always Say … But Beautiful And Emotional

Report

#21

Makes Sense

Makes Sense

reddit.com Report

#22

This Is Why I Love The German Language

This Is Why I Love The German Language

ShortTermAccount Report

Add photo comments
POST
Tomek Sztuk
Community Member
4 years ago (edited) DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Brilliant, although it's a purposefully complicated joke name :D Fahrradständer is a real German name for a bicycle stand, above says something in line of "climate protection enforcing device securing place" ;)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#23

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

obscuredbeauty Report

Add photo comments
POST
Lilya
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Person: That's amazing! Me: That's sausage to me. Person: No, the post I was talking about. Me: SAUSAGE

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#24

Have Some Class

Have Some Class

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
JuJu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Nope. We use both. Usually depending on the vowel or Umlaut before the ss/ß.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#25

When Even The Simpsons Had To Show The World How The German Language Is Trolling Everyone

When Even The Simpsons Had To Show The World How The German Language Is Trolling Everyone

ahahagerman Report

Add photo comments
POST
Kateryna
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

"Die" is "the" relating to the feminine gender... so it sounds like they are indicating Bart is female

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#26

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

cityofclockworkk Report

#27

When Germany Showed The World What "Wordception" Means.

When Germany Showed The World What "Wordception" Means.

ahahagerman Report

Add photo comments
POST
Hans
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

You may need context. Essen is a town in the Ruhr area. Essen means food. essen means to eat. "Wollen wir heute in Essen ein wenig Essen essen?" thus makes sense.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#29

German Is A Beautiful Language.

German Is A Beautiful Language.

fierceredpanda37 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Nadine Bamberger
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'd go with "Klugscheißer" (clever-pooper), don't know what that word above is supposed to mean.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#30

When German Language Was Only For The Brave.

When German Language Was Only For The Brave.

langsandculture.tumblr Report

ADVERTISEMENT
#34

When German Language Was So Logical That It Confused You.

When German Language Was So Logical That It Confused You.

Report

#35

Dear People Learning German...

Dear People Learning German...

AllHailTheDramaLlama Report

#36

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

sharethiscrap Report

Add photo comments
POST
Cat Meow
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Someone count the points please. I'm curious. (I really don't play Scrabble... XD)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#37

German Language Jokes

German Language Jokes

Report

#38

German Grammar Struggle

German Grammar Struggle

octopusinfreetime Report

Add photo comments
POST
Dee Hunter
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

And if you REALLY want to confuse them: Use Russian. They have two more cases.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
#39

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Tiny Dynamine
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

For your information, German isn't shouted aggressively by Germans at all. We imply that from the second world war because of how the Gestapo were. If you say the above German word normally, it sounds quite nice.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#40

1. When German Language Nailed It.

1. When German Language Nailed It.

butt-hole-bread-blog Report

#41

When Animals Sounded Way Cuter In German. Like Raccoon.

When Animals Sounded Way Cuter In German. Like Raccoon.

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Femme Finn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Whoa! Same in Finnish, pesukarhu. I guess it comes directly from German.

View more commentsArrow down menu
#43

When German Language Showed That Germans Have A Strange Relationship To Their Tools. Or Their Mothers

When German Language Showed That Germans Have A Strange Relationship To Their Tools. Or Their Mothers

Report

#44

German Language

German Language

thirdquad1337 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Nadine Bamberger
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Emphasis on the first syllable- possible grave bodily harm court case coming your way, emphasize the last part and you're good.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#48

When German Language Surprised You By Somehow Not Being Accurate Anymore

When German Language Surprised You By Somehow Not Being Accurate Anymore

singing-squirrelmonkey Report

Add photo comments
POST
JuJu
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

But there is only one that can suck and blow! The famous Heinzelmann.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#49

When German Words Looked Like They Have To Be Kidding You

When German Words Looked Like They Have To Be Kidding You

Report

#50

Learn German If You Der

Learn German If You Der

reddit.com Report

Add photo comments
POST
Femme Finn
Community Member
4 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Well when you really think about the word "butterfly", is it a sexy word? Butter. Fly.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
Continue reading with Bored Panda Premium
Unlimited content
Ad-free browsing
Dark mode
#52

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

claudiaboleyn Report

#53

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Sarah Schmidt
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

A few years ago I saw a video about how english sounds to non-english speakers. Is there a video like that about the german language? Do we really sound that bad? I really want to know!

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#58

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Gunnar Schreck
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Correct translation is "Wissenschaft". This here would translate into "Natural Sciences"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#60

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

Ottoh11 Report

Add photo comments
POST
Little Menace
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

The Holzweg one is a favourite of mine because you can tell where it's from. In Germany [and probably other places], there are paths through the forest that lead nowhere apart from a big pile of felled wood, stored there by the woodcutters. So if you end up at a dead end staring at a pile of wood, you are on the wood-way. I.e the wrong path.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#62

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Brigitte
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Only the ballpoint pen is called Kugelschreiber. Every other pen is Stift.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#64

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

ahahagerman Report

#66

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

Itchy Feet Comic Report

Add photo comments
POST
Francesca Bellan
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Weird! In Italian we also use smoking, mobbing and pullover in exactly the same way :-D

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#67

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

joyreactor Report

Add photo comments
POST
Amanda H.
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Give me your answer so otherwise (That's what it says..) I must always speak German and "give you fear"

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#68

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Nela Rothenbach
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm sorry but it's: Blütenblätter - without n. Yes, German plural froms are just as complicated as the rest of the language; -)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#69

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

EasySkanking Report

Add photo comments
POST
Jörg Zingler
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Thats the politically correct new name. The old one is: "Negerkuss". (negroes kiss)

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#71

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

notxgonnaxhappenxdude Report

Add photo comments
POST
Intensive Panda
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Those words make sense but are actually made up (as I tried to explain in the comment section on the bottom)

View more commentsArrow down menu
#73

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

Report

#74

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

farinsteetasse Report

Add photo comments
POST
Cat Meow
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Now I now what the inspiration to Pushing Daisies was... didn't take me like 10 years or so. Nope. XD

View more commentsArrow down menu
#76

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Just a Purpler
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Does it really? I mean this sentence makes sense in "Buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo", but none of us actually understand it the first time we hear it...

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda
#80

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

Report

#81

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

langernameohnebedeutung Report

Add photo comments
POST
Intensive Panda
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

because "Tafel" has several meanings and Google Translator somehow manages to pick not the right one. EVERY.SINGLE.TIME.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#82

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Hellysal
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

Polish: Samolot (flies on its own) :D And for car: Samochód (walks on its own) c:

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#83

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

Report

Add photo comments
POST
Anna Linnaeus
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I'm a 70's baby and used to read German pop mag Bravo in the 80's and remember the articles on Back to the Future. Zurück zum Zukunft takes some serious tongue-wrapping.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
#85

Funny German Language

Funny German Language

gagashickey Report

Add photo comments
POST
Joe Dad
Community Member
7 years ago DotsCreated by potrace 1.15, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2017

I don't think it's funny at all. Hitler was no laughing matter. Moreover, he was born in Austria.

View More Replies...
View more commentsArrow down menu
ADVERTISEMENT
See Also on Bored Panda