Do you speak Denglish?

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The term Denglish in German countries refers to the increasingly strong influence of English vocabulary in German. It is not to only popular to use the English in spoken language such as ” Das ist cool” (This is cool) or “Ich muss mich einloggen”(I have to log in). Denglish is being used more and more in writing and German slogans.

Most of the non-German speakers would not have guessed that the German language is actually pretty open to adaption of English words/terms. In a globalized world where the media can reach anybody anywhere, this is not surprising at all. The German language is pretty strict with its grammar rules, but there are a couple of things you can easily use from the English language in order to describe or name things. There are a few nouns from the English such as Computer, Laptop, Mousepad, etc. Even though these terms are pretty basic, it is hard even for a German speaker to remember the actual German word for these.

Do you know the German terms for the following English words:

  1. Computer
  2. Laptop
  3. Mousepad
  4. DVD-Player
  5. Timer
  6. Showmaster
  7. Bodyguard
  8. Job
  9. Song
  10. Coffee-Shop

Here are the answers:

  1. der Rechner
  2. der tragbarer Rechner or Klapprechner
  3. die Mausunterlage
  4. der DVD-Spieler
  5. der Kurzeitwecker or die Digitaluhr
  6. Host of a show
  7. der Leibwächter
  8. der Beruf
  9. das Lied
  10. die Kaffeestube

If you get more than 6 right, that means you speak and understand Denglish!