Die Gegenwart: the present (time)

If we take this word apart we find it is made of gegen (against) and wart (waiting). So literally, the word means ‘against waiting’. I find this word so beautiful because of what it represents. In the present, we aren’t (or shouldn’t) be waiting for anything – we are here.

Additionally, I’m assuming this word was developed after the words ‘gegen’ and ‘wart ...

Der Beruf: Occupation

While in English we often (or at least technically) refer to a ‘Job’ as an ‘Occupation’ (literally something that occupies us and our time), I love that the German word for occupation (Beruf) is composed of the word ‘Ruf’ which translates into ‘Call/ Calling’. The German word reminds us that our ‘occupation’ should not simply be something that ‘occupies’ our time, but rather something that ‘calls’ us ...

Vitamin B

• High German: Vitamin B
  
• Swiss German: Vitamin B
  
• English: Good connections

If you want to find a job in Switzerland, or anywhere for that matter, you will need a good dose of Vitamin B. This has nothing to do with the vitamin B complex that help your body process fat and protein, but everything to do with the people you know who can help land you that job ...

Der Mutterschaftsurlaub: Maternity Leave

This oxymoron is composed of 3 parts: Mutter (mother) + schaft (work) + urlaub (vacation). What I love is that the word combines schaft (work) and urlaub (holiday) – because maternity leave is literally a mother’s ‘working holiday’. Any mother with kids knows that all we get are ‘working holidays’. And anyone who has ever been on maternity leave definitely knows it is no holiday. So, if you ...

WG (die Wohngemeinschaft): shared flat/ apartment

This word is mostly used in its abbreviated form WG and is very commonly used in the German speaking part of Switzerland/Germany to describe most 20 to 30-year- olds’ living situations. In Switzerland (Zurich) there are several websites that market available WGs.

The complete word is made up of 2 parts (Wohn + Gemeinschaft) which literally translate into ‘living community’. When you live together ...