What are false friends in language learning? A “false friend” is a concept in foreign language learning wherein a word in one language resembles or sounds like a word in another language but carries a different meaning; in linguistics, these are known as bilingual homophones or homographs. Homophones or homographs can lull the learner into […] The post German false friends that trick the language learner appeared first on ..read more

How far along are you with your German language learning, and have you had a chance to practice with one of Europe’s hundred million German speakers? German is the language spoken by the largest number of Europeans and remains a much sought-after foreign language by employers here in the UK, especially in the City of […] The post The German word ‘gern’ appeared first on ..read more

Are you seeking a professional German course in London? We specialise in bespoke German lessons and courses designed to help individuals and businesses master the German language and learn about German culture. If you have already started learning German or experienced German culture, you may have realised that Germans are much more forthcoming than other […] The post The mysterious German word DOCH appeared first on ..read more

Warum eigentlich feiern die Bayern sowie Menschen in anderen Regionen und sogar in fernen Ländern seit über 200 Jahren die Hochzeit von Prinzregent Ludwig, dem späteren König von Bayern und Prinzessin Therese? Schließlich war dieses königliche Fest schon im Jahr 1810 und Deutschland ist doch seit über 100 Jahren eine Republik. Da muss man in […] The post Eine ewige Hochzeitsfeier ist das Oktoberfest appeared first on ..read more

The Origins of Oktoberfest: from Munich to London It is this time of year again when Londoners get together in droves to celebrate Ludwig and Therese’s wedding. You may wonder what I am talking about. The Oktoberfest, of course, became a tradition in Munich, Bavaria, after King Ludwig of Bavaria and Princess Theresa got married. […] The post Learn German in London: Oktoberfest Edition appeared first on ..read more

Guten Tag, London! Are you ready to add a splash of German flavour to your linguistic repertoire? As a seasoned German tutor based in the heart of London, I’m here to guide you through the delightful world of German idioms. Whether you’re a City professional looking to expand your business German, a student preparing for […] The post Five German Idioms to supercharge your Language Skills in London appeared first on ..read more

Imagine encountering a word that seems to stretch on forever, like a linguistic marathon. Welcome to the world of German compound nouns, a fascinating feature of a language spoken not only across Europe but also in pockets around the globe, from Namibia to South America. The Concept of Compound Nouns Many non-German speakers might be surprised at first when encountering nouns that seem endlessly long. This concept is called ‘substantival concatenation’ and may appear a little alien at first. Prefixes used in nouns, sometimes with plural forms and connecting consonants, don’t help. With a bit o ..read more

As spring approaches, the shifting weather patterns offer a unique insight into the German language. Like in many other cultures, proverbs about the weather are a common thread in German discourse. While Germans may not engage in small talk as frequently as English speakers, mastering these proverbs is a testament to your command of the language and your understanding of German culture. Germans refer to Kaiserwetter when there is blue sky and sunshine. Its origins can be found in Austria, where the emperor Franz Joseph’s birthday was mid-August when the weather was dominated by the sun and bl ..read more

On your journey of learning German, you inevitably encounter a situation that requires you to express something limited to an amount, some people, things or an activity. That is straightforward and can be expressed using the adverb nur (only).  Here are some example sentences: Es kostet nur einen Euro. It only costs a Euro. Nur er kann das machen. Only he can do that. Ich habe nur 10 Euro. I only have 10 Euros. Sie spielen nur Fußball. They only play football. A young family with 2 children, however, may say one of the following: Wir haben nur 2 Kinder.  Wir haben erst 2 Kinder ..read more

There are several different ways to form plurals in German. It can be difficult to predict plural endings with complete certainty, and therefore, once again, learners are advised to learn the plural forms when they first encounter a noun in the same way that they would learn the genders of nouns in German. Learners of German will, as they progress, encounter certain patterns in the plural formation. Here are some tips on how to form plurals. Plural in -n or -en A large number of nouns fall into this category, including feminine nouns ending in: -e die Schule, die Schulen -ei die Bäckerei, die ..read more