Some German Linguistic Oddities Quiz

Answer: Reasonable rates

There's often a reluctance in German to use the word 'billig' - 'cheap', probably because it can have connotations of shoddiness, as in 'schlecht und billig' - 'cheap and nasty'. However, the use of 'solide' in the sense of 'cheap' is unusual. A much more commonly used word is 'preiswert', which means 'good value'.

However, '*preiswerte Preise' is unacceptable in German. (German is *much* less tolerant than English of avoidable rhymes and repetitions in linguistic usage).

Answer: ein Haus mit blauem Dach

The *indefinite* article is generally omitted in phrases consisting of a preposition + adjective + noun: in the case of 'mit' and 'von', in particular, omission is standard. As for 'blaudächig', it's creative but unless your German is very advanced, it's best to treat linguistic creavity with caution, as it may be seen as an indication that you're having difficulty expressing yourself. That said, German is (probably) more tolerant of linguistic creativity than many other languages, but one needs experience in using the language to acquire an intuitive sense for which kinds of neologisms are accepted and which are not. 'Blaudächig' isn't a good candidate - it sounds about as strange as 'blue-roofed' in English.

Answer: Er sitzt im Sessel, den Hund zu seinen Füßen

This construction is traditionally called the 'accusative absolute'. It is used instead of 'mit' + dat., which is the common way of handling this. Many speakers of other languages are tempted to start the phrase with 'der Hund ...' However, the nominative isn't a 'neutral' case that can simply be used when no other case is obvious.

Answer: Gleich geht's los

When Queen Elizabeth II visited Germany in 1965 the then President of the Federal Republic, Heinrich Lübke, allegedly said to her, just as a firework display was about to start, 'Equals goes it loose'. However, it is more likely that this was invented by journalists.

'Demnächst' is generally used of books, films, etc. as, for example, 'Erscheint demnächst' followed by a list of titles. The nearest English equivalent is 'forthcoming'.

Answer: Er hat Mund und Nase aufgesperrt

'Mund und Nase aufsperren' - 'to boggle open mouthed, to be all a-goggle and a- boggle'. There is no such verb as '*bogglen' in German ... 'Mit großen Augen' means 'wide-eyed', and 'entsetzt' means 'horrified'.

Answer: Sie hat ihr blaues Wunder erlebt

'Sein (ihr) blaues Wunder erleben' - 'to get the shock of one's life, to get a rude awakening'.

Answer: Ugh!

Alternatively, depending on age-group and formality, 'yuck'. 'Pfui' and 'fie' are etymologically related. Note also: 'der Pfuiruf' (pl. -e) - 'boo' (noun). However, it has been largely superseded by 'der Buhruf' (pl. -e), and the use of '(jemanden) ausbuhen' - 'to boo (someone)' is quite common.

Answer: Sie sind am Haus vorbeigegangen

For 'to go, walk, drive past something' use 'an + dat. vorbeigehen (vorbeifarhen)'. There is also a transitive verb 'passieren' (reg.) which means 'to cross', as for example in 'Wir haben die Grenze passiert'. This should not be confused with passieren (intrans., reg. with 'sein') - 'to happen'.

Answer: There's a noise in the garden

This is an example of an impersonal verb. Compare with 'es regnet' -'it's raining', 'es klingelt' - 'the bell is ringing, someone is ringing the bell, there's someone at the door'. 'Rumoren' is rather unsual it can *only* be used as an impersonal verb. Note also: 'es rumort im Volk' - 'there's unrest among the people'.

Answer: Traditional German cuisine

The expression has nothing to do with the middle classes (though such restaurants tend to be in the middle price range). German cuisine varies considerably from region to region. Prominent traditional features in many parts of the country include game and venison.