Most people are familiar with the word Kindergarten (literally child’s garden) and even some of
you may know the word Schadenfreude (literally pain-joy meaning taking joy in someone’s
misfortune) but there are many other German-derived or adopted words that we use everyday in
America. Please share with us the words you know along with an explanation or source. This
way, everyone learns something, and of course we’ll say what we learned in kindergarten:
Dankeschön!
My favorite German word is “Kindergarten” as I have so many great memories related to it. My baby-girl just entered school so her time at the Kindergarten is over unfortunately. It was just such a great place. They would have events during the whole year celebrating different nationalities. My little girl always favored the Easter Time, searching for chocolate eggs. They would also paint real eggs with food colors and give them out during social events. We loved it! Happy Easter!!!
For some reason, Amerikaner lieben das Wort “Fahrvergnuegen”.
Kindergarten in the US means actually what is Vorschule in Germany, age 5 -6 years old, Vorschule which would translate to Preschool is actually before Kindergarten in the US, up to age 5years of age.
Martina Thompson, Yuma, Arizona, USA