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GERMAN LANGUAGE

What do Germany’s top ten words of the year say about 2022?

"Zeitenwende" was recently named Germany’s word of the year 2022. We break down what this, and the other top ten words, mean and what they tell us about the past year in Germany.

Published: 19 December 2022 18:16 CET
"Zeitenwende" was named Word of the Year 2022 by the Society for the German Language (GfdS). Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Frank Rumpenhorst

What is the “Words of the Year” list?

The German Language Society’s “Words of the Year” is a list of words that, in the opinion of the Society’s main board members and research staff, have dominated public discussion and had a significant impact on the year.

The decisive factor for choosing the words is not the frequency of use, but rather the significance and popularity of the word or phrase. The list aims to reflect the linguistic nerve of the year that is drawing to a close and, in its own way, represents a contribution to contemporary history.

The last two years’ lists have been dominated by Covid terminology; in 2021 the top word was Wellenbrecher meaning “breakwater” which was used as a collective term for all protective measures to break the fourth Covid wave. In 2020, the word of the year was Corona-Pandemie (“Corona pandemic”).

What is the word of the year in 2022?

This year’s word of the year is Zeitenwende – a word that means “turning point” or “time of change”. It is often used to describe a significant event or moment in history that marks a change or shift in the direction of a particular trend or situation.

The word is composed of Zeit, which means “time”, and Wende, which means “turn” or “change”. It can also be translated as “time of transition” or “era-defining moment”.

This year, the word has been used in relation to the Russian war in Ukraine and was picked up by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD), among others. At the end of February, the Chancellor said that: “The Russian invasion of Ukraine marks a turning point. It threatens our entire post-war order.”

READ ALSO: Zeitenwende: How was in Ukraine has sparked a historic shift in Germany 

As a result of the war, Germany has had to completely reorient its economic and energy policy, as well as its international partnerships. For many people, there has also been a huge change in feelings about international security, as fears of a nuclear war in Europe, or even a Third World War, began to grow.

Which other words were on the list?

Many of the other words on the list were also related to the war in Ukraine and its consequences.

Second place went to the expression Krieg um Frieden, which means “war for peace” and this year has come to stand for the policy rethinking amongst political parties in Germany in response to the Russian invasion. 

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) comments on the Russian attack on Ukraine during a press conference at the Chancellery on February 24th, 2022. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Michael Kappeler

According to the jury, even in German political parties with a pacifist tradition – such as the Greens –  the view spread that Ukraine needed to be supported with weapons in order to defend its integrity.

Gaspreisbremse –  in place three – was one of several words on the list which relate to the economic consequences that the war in Ukraine has had on Germany in the past year. The Gaspreisbremse, or gas price brake, is one of the instruments with which the German government is attempting to respond to the rapidly rising costs in many areas of life and will come into force next year to cap gas costs up to a certain level of consumption. 

READ ALSO: German households to receive relief for gas costs ‘starting in January’

The traffic light coalition government also announced an electricity price cap in addition to the gas price brake in order to curb exploding energy costs earlier in the year – giving rise to the popularity of the phrase Doppel-Wumms (“double whammy”) – in place six on the list. 

Another of the government’s popular money-saving initiatives this year was the 9-Euro-Ticket which made it into the list in eighth place. The ticket, which offered discount travel on public transport all over the country was hugely popular and saw 52 million tickets sold in the months of June, July and August. 

Extremely high inflation has been hitting large parts of the population hard this year too and the word in place four – Inflationsschmerz (“inflation pain”) – expresses this vividly.

READ ALSO: Has Germany’s sky-high inflation finally peaked?

The word in place ten on the list also reflects the prevalent money and energy-saving mindset this year. Waschlappentipps or “washcloth tips” – in place ten on the list – refer to the recommendations given by Baden-Württemberg’s Minister President Kretschmann on saving energy.

Flames on the burners of a gas stove. Photo: picture alliance/dpa | Marijan Murat

Only three words on the list had nothing to do with the war in Ukraine or the related economic and social difficulties. 

Neue Normalität (“new normal”) – in seventh place – is a reminder that the Covid pandemic is by no means over, but that a new normal has taken hold in many areas of life, including partial mark requirements and distancing regulations.

The environmental alliance “Last Generation” repeatedly drew spectacular attention to the threat of climate change in 2022 as activists stuck themselves to works of art in museums, on roads, highways and even airport taxiways to block. The protest actions of the – Klimakleber (literally “climate stickers”) made it into the list in place five. 

READ ALSO: Berlin police call for consequences as climate protesters glue themselves to streets

Perhaps the most jovial of entries on the list was Glühwein-Weltmeisterschaft (mulled wine world cup) in place five. The avoid the excessive summer heat of the host nation Qatar, this year’s controversial world cup was held in November and December. But from the point of view of many German football fans, watching the world cup and drinking Glühwein do not belong together. 

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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
Updated: 28 April 2024 08:39 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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