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German Loan Words Quiz

These German words have sneaked into the English language. See if you can guess them.
These words are not necessarily used the same way in German
Quiz by Quizmaster
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Last updated: August 27, 2018
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First submittedMarch 4, 2010
Times taken100,370
Average score55.6%
Rating4.07
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Definition
Word
Fermented cabbage
Sauerkraut
Literally, lightning war
Blitzkrieg
Preschool for children aged 4-6
Kindergarten
Mischievous, noisy type of ghost
Poltergeist
Child prodigy
Wunderkind
The dots above this ü
Umlaut
Dog breed called a "wiener dog"
Dachshund
The spirit of the times
Zeitgeist
Hitler's job title
Führer
Definition
Word
Forbidden
Verboten
Pleasure from the misfortune of others
Schadenfreude
A person's double or look-alike
Doppelgänger
German for above, Deutschland ____ alles
Über
What you say when someone sneezes
Gesundheit
Politics based on pragmatism, not idealism
Realpolitik
Large beer mug
Stein
Musical instrument similar to a xylophone
Glockenspiel
Breaded meat cutlet
Schnitzel
Quizmaster
+2
Level ∞
Apr 30, 2013
Updated and expanded!
Eveli
+34
Level 31
Mar 6, 2018
Nice quiz, thank you! I'm German and have a few suggestions: I never heard the word "Stein" before I talked to native English speakers (German word would be "Maß(krug)". When I first read the word Dachshund (-hound) somewhere I had to look it up in a dictionary because I had no clue what kind of dog this might be (in Germany we call the breed "Dackel").
tranceterrier
+9
Level 20
Apr 15, 2018
Ich hab genau den gleichen Gedankengang gehabt. :-D
Yanni47
+5
Level 74
Nov 23, 2018
Alternatively, mug of beer could also be "Humpen". Interestingly, "Stein" seems to be a German word used in the English language for that definition, but not in German. To be fair, in Germany we also have an English borrow word like that: "Handy"! (German for "cell phone")
Liesl44
+5
Level 33
Dec 4, 2018
I'm German too and I've never heard some of this.
zer0cool
+7
Level 66
Dec 5, 2018
I am totally grasping at straws in response to you native Germans. Though, I believe the issue is that these words were "borrowed" and interpreted a long time ago. Where, Germany has several differing dialects, etc. I mean, 150 years ago, you all were completely separate principalities and differed, somewhat, immensely. Just my two cents, however. Please don't take it as the hard truth. I am just a history buff and no where near a native German. Had a German girlfriend in my 20s and only traveled from Frankfurt (am Main) to Landstuhl/Ramstein a few times for work. These do not qualify for much of anything.
Pandemonia
+5
Level 43
Feb 16, 2019
Same thoughts here, especially with Dachshund. Typed in Dackel without success.
SHRoermond
+3
Level 67
Jul 29, 2019
Indeed, I am German and never heard of Stein before (in this context)
Tobi1093
+1
Level 32
Feb 19, 2020
"Stein" is actually the common word for a "Maß" in palatina, but it is very regional
Dschinsasa
+6
Level 60
Apr 19, 2020
This quiz is not about german words, but about English words *borrowed* from German. I also don't know Dachshund and Stein, but obviously they are used in English and obviously they are borrowed from German. Even if they are not used (anymore) in German!
Nathaniel
+2
Level 66
Feb 23, 2021
Usually a borrowed word should be synonymous and not have a new definition. I doubt you would get anything but a rock if you ordered a "Stein" in a Wirtshaus.
MarcellDAvis
+5
Level 66
Sep 2, 2021
I am yet another German and I agree with Dschinsasa, a loanword does not necessarily have to retain its exact meaning. Stein and Dachshund are obviously loanwords even if a different word is used in standard German. They still exist with the same meaning in German even if they are obscure or regional. There's nothing wrong with the quiz.
EcceHomo
+1
Level 75
Oct 13, 2021
MarcelDavis ^ You come across as a good and fair person.
MarcellDAvis
+1
Level 66
Oct 16, 2021
EcceHomo, thank you, fairness and transparency are important to me ;-)
ElHorsto
+8
Level 46
Jul 8, 2019
there are a lot more words, which u could put in this quiz, like

- Angst

- Weltschmerz

- Leitmotif (Leitmotiv in german)

- Kitsch

- Rucksack

- Schnaps

kalbahamut
+2
Level 84
Dec 1, 2022
kitsch is a much better example of a loan word than verboten, fuhrer, or umlaut... just because a lot of English-speakers know what those words mean doesn't mean that the words are used in English.
aramk
+5
Level 8
May 2, 2013
sehr gut!
Ozchris
+5
Level 33
May 18, 2013
Mien got in heimel. I knew these. If I could spell I'd be a... wunderkind.
DonTheLamplighter
+5
Level 84
Sep 3, 2016
Du bist hässlich und deine mutter kleider sie komischer. :-) Sorry, that's all I've got.
RPHXX
+6
Level 69
Jul 29, 2019
"You are ugly and your mother dress she stranger"
ILikeQuizes
+7
Level 64
Apr 22, 2017
Ich bin ein Berliner.
JohnOfili
+2
Level 42
Oct 14, 2017
My God in Heaven! Thus spoke Zarathustra!

Whereof one can not speak, there of one must remain silent.

divantilya
+1
Level 37
Jun 27, 2018
Den namen Gottes misbrauchen1
VileEverett
+5
Level 23
Jun 22, 2013
I wish I could spell...
098
+3
Level 32
Jul 17, 2013
I've never heard the word gesundheit actually said in everyday life. I saw it on a programme once, but other than that I'm pretty sure the majority of people say bless you. Gesundheit seems to be a bit vague.
akwildrose
+1
Level 52
Apr 27, 2015
I have always said "gesundheind."
Triffid
+1
Level 67
Jan 11, 2022
English people say, "Bless you". I've never heard an English person say "Gesundheit" except when in Germany.

Most languages have an onomatopoeic response word to sneezing which itself sounds like a sneeze!

McCoy
+5
Level 62
Oct 26, 2013
Please change Stein - because this is not a beermug - its a stone. Never heard that as a word for mug and I am german.
SirMildredPierce
+1
Level 14
Dec 13, 2013
First i tried Bierstien and then I tried beerstein, I was quite annoyed those didn't work.
Kestrana
+8
Level 61
May 28, 2014
In the US we call beer mugs stein - and these are German words in English so it makes sense to me.
schnuederlue
+1
Level 65
Apr 29, 2015
Correct, "Stein" is (mostly in the western and south western part) a common word for a mug with 1 liter. I know it, as I live there...
Hollygomerryround
+1
Level 38
Oct 20, 2015
We used Stein in both the UK and NZ :) oh and at beerfest lol
Carry
+3
Level 64
Mar 21, 2014
A, E, I, O, U, Ä, Ö and Ü are Umlaute. The dots above are called Umlautpunkte e.g. There are some other names for them too.

I also don't understand the "German for above" part. "Deutschland über alles" probably refers to the National Anthem as it's a line but it actually means "Germany above all". Is "German for above" a thing? I mean I don't see a connection there.

Never heard of a Stein either but that's probably cause it depends on the region you're at how that mug is called. To me it looks like a Bembel, which is a mug for applewine though.

slkrr9
+3
Level 33
May 9, 2014
"German for above" means the German word for "above". über = above
tielenhei87
+3
Level 77
Aug 28, 2014
"Germany for above" is a rahter awkward translation imo. I'd say "Germany above all" is more accurate.(and actually makes sense)
MayaB
+7
Level 72
Oct 20, 2015
@tielenhei87 "German for above" is not a translation. It's the clue for this word. To be more understandable maybe it should be written like "German for above."
Carry
+1
Level 64
Jan 19, 2016
Ah, I get it now. Yeah it should be written like this to make it clear.
Smoo
+4
Level 44
May 4, 2015
To be accurate, only Ä, Ö, Ü are Umlaute, A, E, I, O, U are plain and simple Vokale.

And Umlaut still is a German word in English, even if the meaning slightly shifted.

RPHXX
+2
Level 69
Jul 29, 2019
No! A, E, I, O and U are not "Umlaute". They are "Vokale". Umlaute are just Ä, Ö and Ü!!
foxyfab
+1
Level 48
May 19, 2020
Umlaut would be the entire Ä, Ö and Ü. just the dots are Ü-Stricherln oder Umlautstrichpunkte
joeythelemur
+7
Level 86
May 20, 2014
You mentioned the war once, but I think you got away with it. So, that's two egg mayonnaise, a prawn Goebbels, a Hermann Goering, and four Colditz salads.
Kestrana
+2
Level 61
May 28, 2014
Can you please accept some other spellings for Daschund? <-- This spelling is used elsewhere on this site.
Nathaniel
+2
Level 66
Feb 23, 2021
Can you please not accept that. What should that be? Dachshund is a compound word consisting of Dachs = badger and Hund = dog, there is a small but distinct pause between the two words. Daschund however sounds more like an Austrian talking about the Kronen Zeitung.
mightythor
+1
Level 66
Jun 9, 2014
"Snuck".
beetboy12
+1
Level 38
Jul 31, 2014
that
Quizmaster
+3
Level ∞
Jul 7, 2015
Snuck is a classic mistake. My spellchecker is highlighting it right now. Sneaked is the correct form.

Admission: snuck sounds better to me

lucd13
+1
Level 68
Jul 20, 2018
Let's be real about this, Quizmaster - it's not that Sneaked is the 'correct' form. It's just that it WAS the correct and only form from around the 1500s. For the last 100-150 or so years, Snuck has been an accepted variant. This is simply a matter of BrE vs AmE.
emwcee
+1
Level 45
Jul 16, 2014
Great quiz!
loganite
+3
Level 86
Oct 25, 2014
You should accept Berliner for the pastry question..."Ich bin ein Berliner!" (I am, of course, just kidding!)
vmajzlik
+1
Level 55
Nov 21, 2014
I see people debating Stein....isnt this a viking word??? my grandfather spoke fluent german along with his native language, czech. He never taught me that beer mug was stein??? The rest was fun though...and easy because of my background :)
dasubergeek
+3
Level 70
Mar 16, 2015
If you are going to accept the +e convention for Führer/Fuehrer, which is perfectly normal and acceptable in German (albeit a bit old-fashioned), please also accept it for Doppelgänger/Doppelgaenger and über/ueber. Für die Deutschen, die sich über die Bedeutung des Wortes „Stein" klagen, in den Vereinigten Staaten sagt man „Stein" als Kurzung des Wortes „Steinkrug". Ein Maß ist immer aus Glas gemacht. Ein Stein(krug) ist ein Humpen, der aus Steinzeug gemacht ist.
emwcee
+1
Level 45
May 4, 2015
Fun quiz. Thanks.
sumguy
+2
Level 83
Oct 22, 2015
Tried daschund, dashchund, dashund. No leeway at all on that spelling?
macie22austria
+1
Level 43
Mar 30, 2016
No, because Dachshund means badger dog. Dachs = badger, Hund = Dog. Accepting more spellings doesn't make any sense.
samiamco
+2
Level 70
Jun 2, 2016
I could never quite get all the letters in the right order, not to mention that I kept adding a "t". I kept want it to be datschund or daschund. Close, but no weiner dog. 🐩
Carry
+4
Level 64
Jan 28, 2016
Never heard a German call a "wiener dog" Dachshund. Though it is a word for that dog breed, they're commonly called Dackel.
Triffid
+1
Level 67
Jan 11, 2022
Never heard an English person call a dachshund a "wiener dog" either. We do, however, sometimes refer to them as "sausage dogs".
HectorVortac
+1
Level 48
Apr 19, 2016
Regardless of its use in the expression 'Deutchland uber alles', the word 'uber' has, as the intro of the quiz makes explicit, 'sneaked (sic) into' the English language.
Findlay
+2
Level 83
Apr 28, 2016
I'm thinking gesundheit must be an American thing, I'm guessing upper midwest. I have never encountered it in Australian, NZ or UK English.
Malbaby
+2
Level 71
Feb 17, 2017
I am in Australia and I often hear it said when someone sneezes. I have also heard it said in England. I don't know from where it came into expressions originally, but probably in movies somewhere along the line.
Grafakos
+2
Level 35
Jun 5, 2016
I always assumed that "realpolitik" was Russian.
Corrode
+1
Level 61
Jun 14, 2016
It's most associated with Bismarck.
Sonicfanrs
+1
Level 30
Jun 8, 2016
Good quiz. Tricky words to spell, too. Thanks for allowing so many variations! :)
PotatoBoy
+1
Level 66
Aug 15, 2016
Could you include Beerstein/Bierstein?
erebia
+1
Level 65
Dec 21, 2016
What the hell is a "wiener dog"??? A dog from Vienna? A sausage in a bun? I am from Germany and I didn't get it. Still don't. Maybe it is an expression in Austrian (German)? If so, you should specify that. If it says that the words are from the German language, one would assume that you mean Hochdeutsch.
QRU
+3
Level 74
Jan 25, 2017
What is so hard to get about it? It's simply the english word for Dackel or Dachshund, both very Standard German words.
Malbaby
+1
Level 71
Feb 17, 2017
I have heard the expression 'Sausage Dog' a thousand times but never 'Weiner Dog'......... I think it is a case of double translation mix-up.
Tomtrific
+1
Level 81
Sep 29, 2017
You never heard of "weiner dog"? What country are you from? Very common in the USA.
Tomtrific
+1
Level 81
Sep 29, 2017
That's because most Americans, like me, can't spell dachshund......lol
lethano
+1
Level 55
Aug 5, 2021
I've heard of wiener dog before but in the UK it's more common to call them sausage dogs. Maybe that's where the confusion came from
thehighground
+1
Level 28
Feb 27, 2017
german words are fun to say
FatDad
+1
Level 78
Mar 12, 2017
Dachshund, which means "Badger Dog" if translated word for word is only used in English, not in German. The German word for Dachshund is "Dackel".
Tomtrific
+1
Level 81
Sep 29, 2017
Got 7. Spent all my time trying to spell dachshund.
nonexistent
+1
Level 45
Dec 10, 2017
a Schnitzel isn't always breaded, only a Vienna/Wiener Schnitzel is without exception, but, for example, a Zigeunerschnitzel isn't usually breaded.
caesaria
+3
Level 77
Feb 24, 2018
I know that a beer mug is referred to as a "Stein" in English (though I couldn't think of it in the quiz), but we don't call it that in German. It's known as a Krug, a Bierkrug or a Steinkrug. The latter is probably what the english word derives from.
Pharley
+1
Level 71
Apr 27, 2018
Six attempts to spell "gesundheit" correctly...
stone222
+1
Level 49
Sep 26, 2018
too many long words for this hunt-and-peck typist...
Liesl44
+1
Level 33
Dec 4, 2018
I know right? It's impossible to find everything. I actually can type, but I'm doing it in the dark. :l
Sifhraven
+1
Level 66
Dec 7, 2018
Missed dachshund... knew it ended in hund, but couldnt remember, so tried schweinhund... not correct as expected..

Edit:ow yea also didnt get realpolitik. Never heard of it (and sounds more english than german to me, besides the k at the end ofcourse)

Sifhraven
+1
Level 66
Jan 13, 2019
only missed realpolitik this time around. And glockenspiel sort of means the same as "family jewels" here...
Aloha19
+2
Level 53
Jun 23, 2019
Please remove "Deutschland über alles". it is not from the official national anthem. It is from a verse that is part of the song the national anthem is taken from, but you should never say these words in Germany, unless you want to identify yourself as a neonazi. This line is closely associated with Nazi Germany.
JoanSR
+1
Level 71
Aug 23, 2019
You know that "blitzkrieg" was never used in Germany unless with the expression " The so called ... " or "What they call..." right?

So it would be interesting to know if it is currently in a German dictionary as an own word or a borrowed one.

EytanMelech
+1
Level 67
Jan 3, 2020
Could not for the life of me spell "gesundheit".
Chopstix168
+2
Level 30
Jan 1, 2021
a large beer mug is called a "Mass"
schnuederlue
+2
Level 65
Mar 23, 2021
Yeah, that's right. At least in Bavaria. But you should know, that Germany ist a little bit more than only Bavaria ;)
MichaelPeblo
+3
Level 48
Apr 2, 2021
I never heard of 'Stein' and I live in the most beer-infested area on earth.

Also Dackel is 100 times more common in Germany than Dachshund 🇩🇪

Dschinsasa
+3
Level 60
Jul 5, 2021
The quizz is all about *english* language, not german!
Zupity
+1
Level 65
Jun 20, 2021
I dunno. Where I come from, a cutlet has a bone, and a schnitzel does not.
AlexanderdG
+1
Level 42
Oct 17, 2021
Dackel is more common, but Dachshund is still in use allthoug less than in the past.

Dachshund is even used on the memorial which was built for the german emperors (Wilhelm II.) Dachshund Erdmann.

Cordelia75
+2
Level 55
Mar 25, 2022
I’m American and I say “gesundheit” rather than “bless you.”
Marquee
+2
Level 53
Apr 14, 2022
61% people didn't get schadenfreude, hah! :-)
Koopa
+1
Level 72
Jul 31, 2022
It might be translated literally, but the actual act of certainly does not literally involve lightning.
Willuna
+1
Level 55
Oct 11, 2022
I tried kimchi... I didn't think that through
Hibasi
+1
Level 65
Jan 25, 2023
As a german speaker, I must say that the english way of using our words are pretty different
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