Culture Flashcards

1
Q

How to dial the phone number for the Darmstadt number: 06151/47651

A

Include area codes beginning with 0. When dialing German numbers from outside Germany, omit the zero. For example, to dial the Darmstadt number from the U.S., dial 011 (international operator), 49 (country code), then the area code 6151 (without zero), and then the local number 47651. The numeral 49 is the country code for Germany; it’s 43 for Austria and 41 for Switzerland.

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2
Q

Ulm and Ulm Minster

A
Ulm lies on the Danube River in
the southern German state of
Baden-Württemberg.The city’s
famous Gothic church (Ulm Minster) has the
highest spire in the world at
161.6 meters (530 ft.).
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3
Q

Two cities in Germany are named

Frankfurt

A
They are distinguished by
the rivers on which they are situated:
Frankfurt am Main (Frankfurt a.M.
or Frankfurt/Main) in the state of
Hessen, and Frankfurt an der Oder
(Frankfurt a. d. O. or Frankfurt/
Oder) in the state of Brandenburg.
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4
Q

Innsbruck

A
Innsbruck is the capital city of the
mountainous Austrian province of
Tyrol (German name Tirol).
German place names often have
topographical significance.The
second syllable of Innsbruck derives
from the German word, die Brücke
(the bridge).The city was originally a
settlement at “the bridge over the
Inn River.” See map on the inside the
front cover of the text.
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5
Q

The flavoring particle schon

A

Schon is often used as a flavoring particle to strengthen, confirm, or reinforce a statement. It adds the sense of really, indeed. In the first dialogue, Monika protests:
Ich möchte schon nach Frankfurt, aber ich habe leider kein Geld - I really would like to go to Frankfurt, but unfortunately I don’t have any money.
Renate answers:
Das verstehe ich schon - I certainly understand that . . .

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6
Q

Origin of the word “das Frühstück”. What is the most common breakfast food

A
Das Frühstück originally meant the
piece (das Stück) of bread eaten
early (früh) in the morning.
Brötchen (called Semmeln in
southern Germany and Austria),
crusty rolls baked fresh daily, are the
most common breakfast food.
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7
Q

Poem about the seasons

A
Es war° eine Mutter, there was
Die hatte* vier Kinder [who had]
Den Frühling, den Sommer,
Den Herbst und den Winter.
Der Frühling bringt Blumen*, [flowers]
Der Sommer bringt Klee*, [clover]
Der Herbst, der* bringt Trauben*, [it/grapes]
Der Winter bringt Schnee* [snow]
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8
Q

Rhyme/mnemonic for remembering prepositions

A

Sing them to the first phrase of “Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head.” [bis, durch, fur, gegen, ohne, um]

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9
Q

In spoken German, which prepositions often contract with the article?

A

In spoken German, durch, für, and um often contract with the article das: durchs, fürs, ums.

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10
Q

What is the imperative (der Imperativ)

A

Making suggestions and giving commands are communicative goals.

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11
Q

What does the word gern mean and how is it used expressing likes, dislikes, and
preferences i

A

Gern is etymologically related to
English yearn.
Verb + gern(e) = to like to do something
Ich laufe gern - I like to walk.
Sie geht gern schwimmen - She likes to swim.
Hören Sie gerne Musik? - Do you like to listen to music?
Gern(e) generally comes immediately after the subject and verb. The negation of
gern is nicht gern [Ich schwimme nicht gern]

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12
Q

Künstlerhaus Bethanien

A

Künstlerhaus Bethanien is a cultural center in Berlin Kreuzberg. It’s open to all kinds of artists and there are exhibitions year round

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13
Q

What is the Havelland region and what is it known for?

A

The Havelland region is located to the west of Berlin in the federal state of Brandenburg and is known for cultivation of fruits and vegetables

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14
Q

If you get lost in a German city you can look ______ for a map

A

At a bus stop

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15
Q

In Germany, how soon do you have to register after moving?

A

Within two weeks

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16
Q

With which name do Germans typically answer the phone

A

Surname (vs first)

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17
Q

How many lakes are there in Switzerland?

A

About 7,000

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18
Q

What is the longest tunnel in the world and where is it located?

A

Gotthard Tunnel in die Schweiz

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19
Q

What is the highest railway station in Europe?

A

On top of the Jungfraujoch (3454 M)

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20
Q

Texting shortcut kA

A

keine Ahnung

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21
Q

Texting shortcut vlt/vllt

A

Vielleicht

22
Q

Texting shortcut WE

A

Wochenende

23
Q

Texting shortcut nix

A

Nichts

24
Q

Texting shortcut hdl

A

Hab dich lieb

25
Q

Texting shortcut LG

A

Liebe grüße

26
Q

Texting shortcut GN8

A

gute Nacht

27
Q

Texting shortcut kD

A

kein Ding

28
Q

Texting shortcut Bd

A

bis dann

29
Q

Jein

A

Yes and no

30
Q

Hä?

A

Huh?

31
Q

What are you talking about?

A

Was laberst du?

32
Q

Stupid/crazy

A

Bescheuert

33
Q

Weird words: Korinthenkacker

A

A pathetic and small-minded person who always wants to be right about everything

34
Q

Weird words: Düpflischisser

A

Spot pooper

35
Q

Km/hr to miles/hr

A

1/2 Original Km/hr + 10% of original

36
Q

Ich habe glück
vs
Ich bin glücklich

A

I am lucky
vs
I am happy

37
Q

Wishing someone luck (two options… which is more common and why)?

A
Viel Glück (much luck)
Viel Erfolg (much success)

German culture dictates more that you male your own luck:
“Jeder ist seines Glückea Schmied” - everyone is their own blacksmith of luck

38
Q

What does “Schwein gehabt” mean? Literally and symbolically

A

Lit. means “yoy’ve had pig there”
Symbolically means “you’ve been lucky”

In German culture, pigs symbolize luck

39
Q

What are ladybugs called in German and what do they represent?

A

Marienkäfer (Mary’s bugs/Mary’s beetles)

Symbolize luck

40
Q

What do chimney sweeps have to do with luck in Germany?

A

Legend says that if you push one of their buttons on their coat you have good luck

41
Q

What do toadstools have to do with luck in Germany? What is a person called in relation to this?

A

Toadstools symbolize luck in Germany someone might be called a “lucky mushroom” (glückapilz)

This is someone who is frequently lucky or lucky without trying

42
Q

What is the equivalent to “break a leg“ in German?

A

Toi toi toi!

Possibly accompanied by spitting over a person’s shoulder

43
Q

What are some bad luck superstitions in Germany?

A

A black cat crossing you from the left, breaking a mirror, spilling salt, not looking someone in the eye when toasting, walking under ladder, getting out of bed with your left foot first, wishing someone a happy birthday before their actual birthday

44
Q

What is the German saying about punctuality?

A

Fünf Minuten vor der Zeit, ist des Deutschen Pünktlichkeit

45
Q

What are the religious breakdowns of Germany (approx. percentage and regionally)

A

~50% Christian
~ 33% unaffiliated
~5% muslim
~1% jewish/buddhist

Catholic - south & southwest
- Roman empire (only included parts or weatern Germany)
Protestant - north
- Martin Luther (against Catholicism)
Unaffiliated - northeast
- aggressively anti-church govt policies in DDR after WW2

46
Q

What is Hamburg known for?

A

Germany’s most important port

Food:

  • Pan fish casserole
  • Franzbrötchen
  • Fischbrötchen
47
Q

What is Dresden known for?

A

Parade of Nobles mural

48
Q

What is Nürnberg known for?

A

Old Town
Nazi sites

Food:

  • gingerbread
  • roastbratwurst
  • knödel
49
Q

What is Frankfurt known for?

A

Modern skyscrapers

Food:

  • Green sauce
  • Handkäs
  • Crown cake
50
Q

What is Würzburg known for?

A

Residenz Palace

Atmospheric wine bars

51
Q

What is München known for?

A
  • one of Germany’s most historic cities
  • until 1871, was the capital of an independent Bavaria
  • clean, cultured
  • city center: Marienplatz
    • watched over by New Town Hall
  • Dachau memorial (former Nazi concentration camp now museum)
  • top art museum: Alte pinakothek
  • mad king Ludwig’s castles
  • New Town Hall’s glockenspiel
  • old Town Hall completely destroyed in WW2 and rebuilt
  • Münchner Kindl - tiny gold child in monk’s garb … symbol of München
  • St. Peter’s church - damaged in WW2
52
Q

What is Klön known for?

A

Two-spire cathedral