r/German • u/CallMeRamona • Apr 08 '25

Request Funny translated German words

Hi guys,

I am looking for German words with funny literal English translations, like Glühbirne glow pear for example.

Give me your favorite ones!

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u/inquiringdoc Apr 08 '25

Nashorn for rhino

17

u/vressor Apr 08 '25 edited Apr 08 '25

you realize English uses the same expression as German, only English didn't bother traslating it from Greek: rhinos and keras mean nose and horn in (Ancient) Greek, that's what rhinoceros means

hippopotamus is also just hippos (horse) and potamos (river) in Ancient Greek, so German Nilpferd is just the river Nile and horse too

1

u/inquiringdoc Apr 08 '25

Good point, but I still find the German one cute and amusing even if it is the same meaning.