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Quiz about German Words in English
Quiz about German Words in English

German Words in English Trivia Quiz


English has borrowed very few words from modern German, but there are some. In each case, pick the English word or phrase that provides the *best* definition or explanation. Have fun!

A multiple-choice quiz by bloomsby. Estimated time: 3 mins.
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Author
bloomsby
Time
3 mins
Type
Multiple Choice
Quiz #
37,592
Updated
Dec 03 21
# Qns
10
Difficulty
Average
Avg Score
6 / 10
Plays
6271
Awards
Top 35% Quiz
Last 3 plays: lesley153 (8/10), ertrum (7/10), dkbplumb (5/10).
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Question 1 of 10
1. What does 'ersatz' mean? Hint


Question 2 of 10
2. What does 'Schadenfreude' mean? Hint


Question 3 of 10
3. What is meant by 'Mitteleuropa'? Hint


Question 4 of 10
4. What is a 'Kursaal'? Hint


Question 5 of 10
5. What is the meaning of 'Zeitgeist'? Hint


Question 6 of 10
6. When writing about Germany historians sometimes use the word 'Putsch'. What does it mean? Hint


Question 7 of 10
7. What is 'Wanderlust'? Hint


Question 8 of 10
8. What is the meaning of 'Weltschmerz'? Hint


Question 9 of 10
9. What does 'Angst' mean? Hint


Question 10 of 10
10. What is a 'Weltanschauung'? Hint



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Most Recent Scores
Dec 17 2024 : lesley153: 8/10
Dec 17 2024 : ertrum: 7/10
Dec 17 2024 : dkbplumb: 5/10
Dec 17 2024 : frozennugget: 7/10
Dec 17 2024 : Leukeran: 5/10
Dec 17 2024 : Guest 71: 4/10
Dec 17 2024 : Pappy51: 4/10
Dec 17 2024 : impdtwnaa: 7/10
Dec 17 2024 : winston1: 10/10

Score Distribution

quiz
Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts
1. What does 'ersatz' mean?

Answer: substitute

In English 'ersatz' can be used as a noun or an adjective.
2. What does 'Schadenfreude' mean?

Answer: gloating

It used to be said that gloating over the misfortunes of others is 'typically German'. It's worth being very skeptical indeed about such statements.
3. What is meant by 'Mitteleuropa'?

Answer: Central Europe

'Mitteleuropa' is sometimes used by historians in the sense of for 'Greater Germany', especially with reference to the period c. 1890-1945. The term is sometimes used in a mildly jocular sense, too.
4. What is a 'Kursaal'?

Answer: building for visitors at a spa

In English the word is often pronounced as if it were written as "kurzle". Spas are popular in Central Europe. Particularly well known spas include Wiesbaden and Baden-Baden in Germany, Karlovy Vary (German: Karlsbad), Marianske Lazne (German: Marienbad) in the Czech Republic and Bad Ischl in Austria.

The word 'Bad' before a place-name in the Germany-speaking lands indicates that the place is a spa.
5. What is the meaning of 'Zeitgeist'?

Answer: spirit of the age

This is among those German words used quite a lot in English.
6. When writing about Germany historians sometimes use the word 'Putsch'. What does it mean?

Answer: coup d'etat

'Putsch' is almost invariably used of a failed coup and often has overtones of comedy and farce.
7. What is 'Wanderlust'?

Answer: desire to travel

Incidentally, the second component, 'die Lust', though obviously cognate with the word 'lust' in English, means 'desire' in modern German.
8. What is the meaning of 'Weltschmerz'?

Answer: melancholy discontent

Of course, those with weltschmerz often suffer from the other three as well!
9. What does 'Angst' mean?

Answer: anxiety

This word is used both in psychology and also more generally in English.
10. What is a 'Weltanschauung'?

Answer: philosophy of life

The German, 'die Weltanschauung' (pl. -en) means 'view of the world' or 'world-view'.
Source: Author bloomsby

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ponycargirl before going online.
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