English is famously full of loanwords from other languages. Some words are taken up in such a seamless way that they fit into English as if they had always been there. German has been a big contributor, lending words for everything from specific feelings to precise technical terms. Here’s a list of 11 words that may surprise you, as they are actually of German origin. Let’s see how they migrated from the heart of Europe into everyday usage in English.
1. Kindergarten
Origin: German
Literal Translation: “Children’s garden”
This 19th-century term was coined by German educator Friedrich Fröbel to describe his new kind of educational space for children to study and play in. English retained its German structure and spirit without bothering to translate it.
2. Wanderlust
Origin: German
Literal Translation: “Desire to wander”
This beautiful word describes an urge to travel and see new places. “Wanderlust” can be used to define this deep-seated urge to explore new places. Adopted by English speakers in the early 20th century, this is still the perfect term for that irresistible itch to travel.
3. Doppelgänger
Origin: German
Literal Translation: “Double-goer”
The word “Doppelgänger” refers to a lookalike or nonbiological double of a living being. It is also that freaky concept in folklore. This word has retained its exact German spelling and pronunciation and has become a staple in describing uncanny resemblance.
4. Schadenfreude
Origin: German
Literal Translation: “Harm-joy”
This singular term describes the pleasure taken from another person’s misfortune. A complex, somewhat guilty pleasure of a word, which English adopted because it had no precise equivalent.
5. Gesundheit
Origin: German
Literal Translation: “Health”
When someone sneezes, many in the English-speaking world say “Bless you!” In many places, it’s common to hear “Gesundheit,” borrowed directly from German. Wishing someone “health” after a sneeze just feels appropriate—and who doesn’t want a little extra health?
6. Poltergeist
Origin: German
Literal Translation: “Noisy ghost”
A “Poltergeist” is a type of spirit that makes noise and causes disturbance. This term has its roots in German folklore but gained popularity in English for horror novels and films. That one word alone manages to evoke something chillingly mysterious.
7. Kitsch
Origin: German
Literal Translation: (roughly) “Cheap or tasteless art”
“Kitsch” designates objects or works of art that are usually tasteless, mushy, or obtrusively gaudy. Originated in a German attempt at naming lowbrow art, it entered English describing something that is appealingly tacky or laughably retro.
8. Fahrvergnügen
Origin: German
Literal Translation: “Driving pleasure”
While it may not be common in everyday English, “Fahrvergnügen” gained popularity through Volkswagen’s 1990s ad campaign in the United States. It highlighted the pleasure of driving—a concept that doesn’t translate as easily in a single English word, but made sense as an idea people instantly related to.
9. Über
Origin: German
Literal Translation: “Over” or “above”
This little versatile word found a big place in English. Though it originally means “over” or “super,” it’s become a common prefix in English to indicate that something is ultimate or the best, such as “über-cool” or “über-confident.” It is famously associated with the ride-sharing company Uber nowadays.
10. Fest
Origin: German
Literal Translation: “Festival” or “celebration”
In German, “Fest” means a festival or a party, as in Oktoberfest. Themed events, such as “music fest” or “food fest,” have borrowed the term in English. This celebratory term found a natural home in English, especially among festival enthusiasts.
11. Zeitgeist
Origin: German
Literal Translation: “Time-spirit” or “spirit of the age”
This term refers to the spirit or mood that typifies any age in history. The word “Zeitgeist” has been in English since the 19th century to describe the essence of a cultural moment or the mass mind of an era. It’s one of those precise words that adds variety to English without a real equivalent.
Final Thoughts
These 11 words remind us that languages constantly borrow and blend to meet the ever-changing needs of expression. Each of these German words entered English for a reason: they captured something missing in English. We hit “wanderlust,” wish people “Gesundheit,” or laugh at a little “Schadenfreude”; these are words loaned from another language to enrich our vocabulary with precision and flair.
So next time you hear one of these Germanisms, it is not only an English word but a small piece of German culture, carried over to help us express things uniquely through shared language.
