Language is a funny thing. When I lived in Germany, there were lots of English loan words that we used in just everyday speak – and I never really thought twice about it. But only once I moved to the UK and found that there are German loanwords in English, I really took an interest to it.

Some words are just too good and end up slipping between different languages. And yes, even English, ever the magpie, has borrowed quite a few over the last years. Here are ten of the most common ones – but if you want to know a few more specific or uncommonly used ones, take a look here!

1. Kindergarten

First up, Kindergarten. It’s a compound word between “Kinder” (children) and “Garten” (garden) – so yes, our primary schools are literally described after a garden for kid’s to grow in. Isn’t this cute?

2. Angst

Feeling a bit off without a clear reason? You might be experiencing Angst. In English, it describes a deep, existential dread ^{(that we all try to ignore)}, but in Germany, it’s our common word we use for “fear” or “being scared”. A bit less gloomy than, you know, questioning your life choices.

3. Hamburger

It’s not entirely clear where the food itself comes from, but the word itself clearly refers to someone who or that originates from my favourite German city: Hamburg.

4. Schadenfreude

This is a great one – it’s another compound word made up of “Schaden” (damage/harm) and “Freude” (joy) and describes that giggly malicious feeling that overcomes you when something bad or unfortunate happens to somebody else. It’s an odd mix of empathy and “thank goodness it wasn’t me”.

5. Kaputt

I love this word – and I love that it’s being used in English! If something’s kaputt, it’s broken beyond repair. Absolutely screwed. In Germany, we also use this as a synonym to being exhausted: “I am kaputt!”

6. Wanderlust

More compound words incoming, this one being “Wandern” (to hike) and “Lust” (desire) – it’s the word you use when you’ve got the travel bug. The urge to see new places, new people and just be out there!

7. Poltergeist

“Poltern” (to rumble) and “Geist” (ghost) – if you ever have to blame random mysterious noises on something, it’ll be a Poltergeist. The type of spirit known for causing disturbances!

8. Bratwurst

One of our culinary traditions that actually made it internationally. “Braten” (to fry/roast) and “Wurst” (sausage) – one of the most common types of sausages that we have in Germany.

9. Kitsch

Another word that I simply love! I’ve actually had to open my dictionary to see what English synonyms you have for it: knick-knacks, brummagems, hokums, shoddy – trash? Not gonna lie, they are equally amazing! Well, a piece of Kitsch is an item of low taste or something that’s just really useless. Something, that doesn’t really have a purpose.

10. Rucksack

And another compound word: “Ruck” (in this instance from “Rücken” – your back) and “Sack” (oh hey, a freebie, this is also a German word used! Ha! But, alternatively: bag). A bag for your back! A backbag!

This list is, of course, absolutely not finite. Researching this article, I found some amazing, way more extensive lists, if you want to have a gander: here are some researched by Babbel – and here are even more, collected by someone on Reddit!

[Picture by Towfiqu Barbhuiya – thank you!]