November 20, 2023 [Stefanie Schantl, M.A.](https://blog.duolingo.com/author/stefanie/) # Beyond Schadenfreude: 7 unique German words you can’t live without If you’re ever at a loss for words… there’s some German for that! _Schadenfreude_—feeling satisfaction because of someone else’s misfortune—isn’t the only phenomenon perfectly encapsulated by the German language. There’s lots more where that came from! Here are 7 wonderfully expressive German words that you’ll wish you’d learned years ago… ## Eselsbrücke We’ve all been there—you try with all your might to remember something, but you just can’t seem to do it. In German, a _mnemonic device_ to jog your memory is called an _Eselsbrücke_, which amusingly translates to “donkey bridge.” The term’s origin is just as charming as its name: People often have to build small bridges over streams so donkeys can cross, as they are notoriously wary of water and stubbornly refuse to cross even shallow areas. In a similar vein, we construct mental bridges to overcome memory hurdles. For instance, when remembering the four cardinal directions, German speakers use the phrase _**N** ie **o** hne **S** eife **w** aschen_ (Never wash without soap) for _Norden_ (North), _Osten_ (East), _Süden_ (South) and _Westen_ (West). ## Fremdschämen Have you ever found yourself in a cringe-worthy situation, witnessing someone do or say something that makes you squirm with discomfort? German speakers have a word for this unpleasant sensation! While _sich schämen_ means to feel ashamed of oneself, _sich fremdschämen_ expresses the feeling of being embarrassed on behalf of someone else. The adjective _fremd_ means “foreign,” “unfamiliar,” or “someone else’s,” so _Fremdsprache_ means “foreign language” and _fremdschämen_ is like foreign (or secondhand) embarrassment! The next time you’re the unfortunate observer of a painfully awkward moment, help yourself through it by remembering this unique German verb and feeling camaraderie with the German speakers who get it. ## Bescherung In German-speaking countries, Christmas is traditionally celebrated on December 24th. This means that you don’t have to wait until December 25th to unwrap your presents! The act of handing out presents, the _Bescherung_, takes place on Christmas Eve. The word is derived from the verb _bescheren_ (to give or bestow) and is also used in an ironic sense—if you exclaim _Hier haben wir die Bescherung!_ (Here we have the _Bescherung_!), you are not referring to any wonderful Christmas presents, but rather to an unpleasant surprise that has been foisted upon you. If you got a dog for Christmas after wanting one for years, you certainly had a great _Bescherung_… but if your new puppy then steals the Christmas dinner and knocks over your tree in the process, well, that’s a _schöne Bescherung_ indeed. ## Zugzwang _Zugzwang_ comes to German from [the world of chess](https://blog.duolingo.com/language-history-of-chess-checkmate/), but it’s now used in everyday German! It describes a situation where any possible move will only make matters worse for the player whose turn it is: The player would prefer not to move, but they have to and so are under _Zugzwang_. Outside of chess, _Zugzwang_ refers to a situation in which one is compelled to make a choice or decision—but in non-chess German, it doesn’t necessarily mean a disadvantageous result. ## Kopfkino If you have a strong imagination, your _Kopfkino_ can be like your very own film festival. The term literally means “head cinema” and encompasses anything from memories to daydreams to worst-case scenarios. What they all have in common is that the scenes you think about play out in your mind as vividly as if you were watching a movie. So grab some popcorn and let your mind take you on a cinematic journey! 🍿 ## Erklärungsnot Imagine you’ve baked a delicious chocolate cake for a friend’s birthday and left it on the counter to cool. A few hours later, you find your roommate standing in front of the empty cake plate with a chocolate-smeared face. In this awkward moment, your roommate would likely struggle to find the right words to explain or justify the situation—they are in _Erklärungsnot_. _Erklärung_ simply means “explanation,” and the _not_ at the end translates to “distress” or “necessity.” You’ll frequently see _Erklärungsnot_ in the context of politics, but this state of being at a loss for words can just as easily happen to you or anyone around you, when you’re expected to explain certain circumstances. The moral of the story: Hide your chocolate cake! ## Sturmfrei _Sturmfrei_ literally translates to “storm-free,” and originally it was used to express that a castle or fortress couldn’t be stormed because it was so well-secured. Today, _sturmfrei_ now means having the house all to yourself because the people you live with aren’t there: Your “castle” is secured! It’s used for a person relishing a quiet evening with their roommates, or for a parent’s rare night off when their kids are at a friend’s place. But, let’s face it: The most common scenario is a teenager seizing the opportunity and throwing a my-parents-have-absolutely-no-idea party. 🎉 🙌 ## These words give us *feelings* Learning German isn’t just about words and grammar—it’s about viewing the world [through a new lens](https://blog.duolingo.com/spargelzeit-german-asparagus-season/). Stay curious and _bis zum nächsten Mal_(until next time)!