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GERMAN LANGUAGE

German word of the day: Die Weinwanderung

Combining the German love of the outdoors with wine, this is a word that's right up our street.

Published: 4 November 2021 11:31 CET
A blackboard shows the German word 'die Weinwanderung'.
A blackboard shows the German word 'die Weinwanderung'. Photo: Francesco Ungaro / Unsplash + Nicolas Raymond / flickr

Germany is known as one of the biggest beer brewers in the world, so you may be surprised to find out that the country famous for its beloved Oktoberfest and beer steins actually has a large wine culture, producing around 1.3 billion bottles annually on over 250,000 acres of vineyard. 

So, naturally, Germans combined their love of wine with their love of the outdoors, resulting in seasonal “Weinwanderungen”. A compound noun featured so often in the German language, it is made up of “der Wein”, meaning wine and “die Wanderung” meaning hike, although in this context it could also mean a walk. 

In the early summer and autumn months, wineries across Germany’s Western state of Rhineland-Palatinate organise these so called “wine walks”, with stands spread out over vast vineyards. They often take place over several days on a weekend and follow a specific walking route. The idea is you get to walk from winery to winery and taste all the different locally made wines they have on offer. You may be familiar with pub or bar crawls in your home country, so think of a “Weinwanderung” as a kind of outdoor pub crawl. 

READ ALSO: Meet the man introducing internationals to German wine

If wine isn’t your thing, don’t worry. Food stands selling delicious, regional delicacies such as Bratwurst and Saumagen are enough of an excuse to take part. You can also opt for some fresh grape juice, made from local white or red grapes, typically served as a “Schorle”, that is, juice diluted with sparkling water. Also, if you’re blessed with a sunshine spell, you’ll get to just enjoy the beautiful scenery of Germany’s wine regions.

Plus, if you’re really into hiking, there are some routes that go for several hours, climbing peaks with great views of the Palatinate Forest. Other variations include cycling tours of the vineyards, known in German as “Radwanderungen”. 

I grew up in the heart of the Rhineland, and so these wine walks became a frequent feature of my childhood, as you’ll find families and people of all ages taking part. For born and bred Pfälzer, wine walks are a way of life – tasting and celebrating local food, wine and culture. So, next time you want to have a rest from all the German beers, take a trip to the Rhineland and go on a “Weinwanderung”.

Examples:

Wenn du deutsches Wein probieren willst, sollst du auf eine Weinwanderung gehen!

If you want to try some German wines, you should go on a wine walk!

Dieses Wochenende soll schönes Wetter sein, also werden wir auf jeden Fall zur Weinwanderung gehen.

We’re meant to have nice weather this weekend, so we will definitely go on the wine walk.

Die Weinwanderung wurde dieses Jahr abgesagt, also kann ich den nächsten kaum erwarten.

The wine walk was cancelled this year, so I can’t wait for the next one.

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GERMAN LANGUAGE

‘Umpf’: Six noises to help you sound like a German

You may think fancy vocab is the only way to impress your friends in German, but these quirky noises could actually be the key to sounding like a local.

Published: 24 April 2024 17:23 CEST
'Umpf': Six noises to help you sound like a German

For most German-language learners, it’s a familiar scenario: you kick off your language journey with textbooks and courses and eventually start to get comfortable with the tricky grammar and vocabulary.

But as soon as you start talking to a native speaker, you’ll probably hear several words you’ve never heard before – and even a few confusing noises that are hard to decipher.

These funny sounds – which are usually described as discourse markers by linguists – can be used to express anything from exhaustion to surprise, or even to check whether the person you’re talking to is listening.

If you want to sound like a native, it’s worth getting familiar with these quirky noises and trying to incorporate them in your everyday speech.

The good news is that they’re a lot more fun to use than the tricky words you learn in language schools.

What’s more, they’re an easy way to add some natural flair and personality to your German.

READ ALSO: What are the different levels in German and how do I reach them?

Tja

Hearing this word can be confusing for foreigners, because it may sound an awful lot like “ja”, or yes.

But rather than being an affirmative response to a question, ‘tja’ is often used ahead of a contradiction or as an expression of scepticism, similar to the English word “well”.

You may also hear “tja”, or even “ja”, simply used as filler words for the speaker to buy time to think about what they’re saying. For example, if a stranger asks you if the next train to Dresden leaves from Platform 3, you may respond with “Ja… nein”, if you aren’t quite sure of the answer.

Another key meaning of ‘tja’ is best summed by a meme that defines it as a the typical German response to the apocalypse, nuclear war, alien attack or having no bread in the house.

When something catastrophic has happened – like the apolocalypse or an empty bread shelf – it can be taken to mean either “I told you so” or “sh*t happens”, casting an ironic light over the gloomy situation.

Here’s how you pronounce it.

Hä

This is a word you won’t read in the German textbooks, but “hä” is a sure-fire way to sound more German in your conversations.

Much like the English “huh?”, you can use “hä?” to express surprise or incomprehension. If a friend from your German course tells you they actually enjoy learning German grammar, then a disbelieving “hä?” is probably an apt response.

In a more banal context, if you haven’t quite understood what somebody’s said, a gentle “hä?” could stand in for the more polite and formal, “wie bitte?”.

A word of warning, though: “hä?” is viewed as very informal and can even be construed as rude in certain situations, so be sure to only use it among people you’re very friendly and familiar with.

Here’s how you pronounce it.

READ ALSO: German word of the day – Hä?

Ne

Whether you’re a fan of German podcasts or have a few German friends who enjoy to speak at length about the world, you’ve probably come across ‘ne’ at some point or other.

It’s generally used at the end of sentences to check that the other person is listening and has understood, similar to the English “right?” or “you know?”.

For that reason, it often has a high inflection, as if you’re asking a question – though you don’t necessarily expect a response.

So next time you embark on a long rant in German, try interjecting a “ne?” or two. This can add variety to your tone and at the very least ensure the other person hasn’t fallen asleep halfway through.

Here’s how it’s pronounced.

Auwa

When a German child trips and falls over at the Spielplatz, the first thing they may shout is, “Auwaaaaa!” before calling on their parents to come and comfort them.

But it’s not just the little ones who use this noise to express pain in Germany – adults will also emit an occasional “auwa!” if they accidentally stub their toe.

A sad teddy bear with broken arm

A sad teddy bear with a broken arm. “Auwa” is the most German way to respond to a painful accident. Photo: Photo by Trym Nilsen on Unsplash

An alternative to “auwa” is the more English-style “auch!”, which is pronounced the same as “ouch!” but spelled differently. This can also be used to respond to a comment that stings a little, as a good-natured way of letting someone know your feelings were hurt.

Here’s how “auwa” is pronounced.

Puh

Though hearing this word may bring some toilet humour to mind, “puh” has less to do with bodily functions than you might expect.

It’s actually more similar to the English word “phew”, which is used to express tiredness or relief.

One scenario you might use “puh” is after running to the bus stop to catch the last bus home. Once you sprint through the doors and sink into your seat, you may let out an exhausted “puh!” to show your relief at having made it.

Before you forget the more childish connotations entirely though, it’s worth knowing you can also use “puh” when encountering something disgusting.

If it’s your turn to take out the Biomüll and the rotten vegetables are starting to emit a foul odour, you might say, “Puh! Es stinkt!” (Ew! It stinks!”), before hurrying to the bins as fast as you can. 

Here’s how it’s pronounced.

READ ALSO: 12 colourful German expressions that’ll add swagger to your language skills 

Uff / Umpf

If you’ve ever eaten an entire bowl of Käsespätzle, you probably know the sensation of feeling so full you’re about to burst.

For precisely this situation, you’ll need to know “umpf” or “uff”. Both of these words neatly sum up that feeling of being stuffed to the brim with food – but not necessarily in a bad way.

A bit like “oof!” in English, “uff” and “umpf” are ways of showing that you’re both sated and a little bit sleepy after a big meal. With Germany’s very hearty cuisine, they’re both expressions that you’ll need in your life fairly often.

Here’s how “uff” is pronounced.

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