In German, just like every other language as well, we of course have some very specific terms, idioms and phrases that only really work within it – and which lack a good translation. Some of these are so good and so nuanced that they end up as a loanword, finding their ways into other countries and cultures. You will probably know some of them, might have even used some. Here are all the ones Wikipedia has collected, but to cherry-pick some: Schadenfreude, Wanderlust, Doppelgänger – you get the idea. We’ve got some good stuff.

But English, please, you are missing the most important one.

I didn’t realise when I learned it in school, only when I actually started living in the UK, that you don’t have an English equivalent for what I now crown the most important German word that isn’t existing in English ^{(highest, totally unofficial honour I can give)}. And since I live here, I have made it an utmost priority to teach every Brit that reaches an acquaintance level with me.

Okay, are you ready? The word I am teach you today is:

“Doch.”

– All of Germany. Always. All day, every day.

“Doch“, pronounced with this lovely, scratchy [ch] that comes from the back of your throat and makes everyone think Germans sound angry all the time. There’s no other word that I love as much and that I am missing even more, since I am living in the UK. Here’s why.

So doch, you see, means something very specific: my disagreement to your disagreement. Let me explain.

If I were to tell you something that you disagree with, you’ll answer “no”, correct? But what if I disagree with that “no”? Here in the UK, you’d simply answer “yes”, I guess? See, I don’t even really know what suits best! I just looked up what my online dictionary says and, as I expected, it’s not even in there. I mean, it is, but not in this context, as we’ve got several meanings for it. In its case, “still”, “after all”, yet”, “however” – it’s kind of related, but it’s not, well, having the oomph that it needs. It doesn’t exist here as an exclamation!

• “I’m going to get myself another piece of cake.”
  – “No.”
  “Doch!”
• “Are we out of milk?”
  – “No, it’s behind the orange juice.”
  “I can’t see it, it’s not there!”
  – “Doch, I literally just put it there!”
  “Oh, that orange juice.”
• “I’m going to get myself another piece of cake.”
  – “Ellie, you had three pieces – no!”
  “DOCH! YOU CAN’T STOP MEEEE!”

Anyway. Do you see what I mean? Too important. Way too important. It’ll forever baffle me that a word I use dozens of times a day in Germany doesn’t have an English equivalent. Well, there we go. The only German word you’ll ever need. Now go and teach everyone around – go and ^{(wait for it)}: Spread the word!

[Picture by Natalia Y. – thank you!]