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jmowreader

(50,672 posts)

24. Two things will confuse the shit out of you

Fri Feb 3, 2017, 12:04 AM

Feb 2017

One is conjugation of verbs - or, actually, the lack of same.

In English we have eight forms of the verb "to be" - is, am, are, was, were, be, being, been. In German, the word "sind" covers all eight.

The other is compound words. You get to make up your own! For instance, if you needed to write about how the person who's currently leaving bloody footprints all over the White House is trying to destroy everything we hold dear, and for some reason you couldn't remember what his name is, you could just write "Kleinhandeorangenschwanzsauger" and everyone would know exactly who you were talking about. (But "schwanzlos Scheißestuck" would also work.)

Did I happen to mention that German has THE BEST obscenities? They're fantastic obscenities. Almost Trumplike in their greatness. Let me tell you, people: I know obscenities and German obscenities are the best obscenities you can buy.

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31 replies

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"How German sounds compared to other Languages" [View all] FrankfurtCat Feb 2017 OP

Yeah, the german language sounds rough and aggressive, but at least it has precise grammar. DetlefK Feb 2017 #1

And Hitler liked dogs! MosheFeingold Feb 2017 #31

Here's some german songs: DetlefK Feb 2017 #2

Thank you. How difficult is it to become proficient in German? Fluent? FrankfurtCat Feb 2017 #3

I didn't find it too difficult at all, but I learned Swedish first DFW Feb 2017 #4

The gender of the articles der, die and das, and remembering... 3catwoman3 Feb 2017 #18

That can get frustrating DFW Feb 2017 #20

Still makes no sense that dress... 3catwoman3 Feb 2017 #23

German women just call it "BH" DFW Feb 2017 #30

Hard to say. A few years. DetlefK Feb 2017 #5

Two things will confuse the shit out of you jmowreader Feb 2017 #24

I'm confused already! FrankfurtCat Feb 2017 #25

My Mom used to fire German-sounding words at us after living in Germany. FrankfurtCat Feb 2017 #26

This is just mean. OldEurope Feb 2017 #6

No, it's not mean Ron Obvious Feb 2017 #7

Thank You, Ron Obvious! FrankfurtCat Feb 2017 #9

Yeah, like OldEurope Feb 2017 #10

I can think of one who does,(a past friend of mine) but he's a total American asshole... FrankfurtCat Feb 2017 #13

I love music by German bands....the German artist's have done so much to make music progressive... Tikki Feb 2017 #22

I disagree-that's why I made clear my feelings about Germany and Germans. FrankfurtCat Feb 2017 #8

I watched, and all were friendly, except the German guy. nt OldEurope Feb 2017 #11

Do you think all Americans are lke the unkempt gun-wielding idiot portrayed? FrankfurtCat Feb 2017 #12

Two words: Gayle Tufts DFW Feb 2017 #21

Sehr lustig! ElkeH Feb 2017 #14

Remember in "Amadeus"... FrankfurtCat Feb 2017 #15

and then there's German Scrabble IcyPeas Feb 2017 #16

That's great! FrankfurtCat Feb 2017 #17

Sehr... 3catwoman3 Feb 2017 #19

! Kali Feb 2017 #29

When I was there I was surprised to learn that they sound just fine, from the war movies I thought braddy Feb 2017 #27

Compared to Dutch SoCalNative Feb 2017 #28