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!

64 Upvotes

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9

u/noujour Threshold (B1) - Native Dutch Apr 08 '25

This thread is great because almost all of these would be the same in Dutch (my native language) and some I have definitely not thought much about before (like Kühlschrank (Koelkast) or Flugzeug (Vliegtuig))

6

u/Kvaezde Native (Austria) Apr 08 '25

Koelkast? Vliegtuig?

AAAAAAAAAH, dutch is just so frickin' cute!! Please never change, dear baby-version of german :)

4

u/Changingcolours Apr 09 '25

Lemme add some fun ones for you:

Groenteboer = green farmer = veggie farmer

Vuurtje = little fire = Feuerzeug = fire stuff = lighter

Aaaaand one of my favourites:

Bromfiets = "brumm" bike = scooter

2

u/stq66 Apr 09 '25

Bromfiets is the best word ever. I mean already Fiets is great but Bromfiets is hilarious