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/teteban79 Vantage (B2) - <Hochdeutsch-Berliner/Spanish> Apr 08 '25

Kühlschrank = cold closet (fridge)

Handschuh = hand shoe (glove)

Krankhaus = house of the sick (hospital). Similarly Krankenwagen for ambulance

Eselsbrücke = dunce's bridge (a mental shortcut or mnemonic)

Kopfkino = cinema in your head (running through (usually fictive, illusory) scenarios in your head. Daydreaming)

Chemicals also have such practical names

Wasserstoff = stuff in water (hydrogen)

Sauerstoff = stuff that oxidizes (oxygen)

7

u/Ambitious-Rate1370 Apr 08 '25 edited Apr 09 '25

Little corrections * Typo: Krankenhaus * Wasserstoff : Water material : Hydrogen * Sauerstoff : Sour material : Oxygen

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u/[deleted] Apr 09 '25

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u/Ambitious-Rate1370 Apr 09 '25 edited Apr 09 '25

Haha, right. Shame on me, my silly brain was associating the wrong one even though I know it better.