Category: Denglish English

I’ve mentioned before that many German speakers know that Handy does not mean mobile phone in English but are there any other Denglish words and phrases that you are using by mistake? 

Here are a couple more examples I often hear:

Mother company.  This is not the correct translation for Muttergesellschaft.  Instead, use the words parent company.

Daughter company.  This is not the correct translation of Tochtergesellschaft.  Instead, use the word subsidiary.

E.g. The parent company has several subsidiaries in Asia.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

I’ve mentioned before that many German speakers know that Handy does not mean mobile phone in English but are there any other Denglish words and phrases that you are using by mistake? 

Here is an example I have heard a lot in 2020 since the start of the pandemic and lockdown:

I’m doing Home Office.  This is perhaps understandable to speakers of English but it is not what native speakers would say.

(In British English the Home Office is a ministerial department responsible for immigration, security, and law and order.)

If you want to say you are not working in the office just say I’m working from home.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

I’ve mentioned before that many German speakers know that Handy does not mean mobile phone in English but are there any other Denglish words and phrases that you are using by mistake?

Here are a couple more examples I often hear:

Synchronised.  Hollywood films shown on German television are dubbed and not synchronised.

Chef.  I often hear this used by mistake when what you want to say is boss or manager.  Chef in English refers to a person who prepares and cooks food professionally, usually in a restaurant, pub or hotel.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

I’ve mentioned before that many German speakers know that Handy does not mean mobile phone in English but are there any other Denglish words and phrases that you are using by mistake?

Here are a few more examples I often hear:

Basecap.  Not an item of clothing in English.  I think you mean to say baseball cap or just cap.

Kicker.  This is not a game in English.  Just say tabletop football or foosball.

Baby.  Party.  These words are the same in German and English but I often see the wrong spelling for the plural.  Remember we say babies, not babys and parties, not partys.

Air condition.  No.  We say air conditioning or A/C.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

I’ve mentioned before that many German speakers know that Handy does not mean mobile phone in English but are there any other Denglish words and phrases that you are using by mistake?

Here are a couple more examples I often hear related to buildings and homes:

Sleeping room.  I’ve heard this a lot in Germany but it still sounds strange to me.  What you mean to say is bedroom.

Floor.  This is not the same as the German ‘Flur’.  For that you need to say corridor (more often used in an office or a school for example) or the words hall or hallway if you are talking about a home.

E.g.  Go along the corridor and turn right.  My office is the second on the left.

I need to buy some new furniture for the hall.

Floor in English can refer to the levels of a building (first floor, second floor etc.) or to the surface you walk on inside a building.

E.g.  The building has 6 floors.

My office is on the third floor.

The plate fell off the table.  It ended up on the floor.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

I’ve mentioned before that many German speakers know that Handy does not mean mobile phone in English but are there any other Denglish words and phrases that you are using by mistake?

Here is another example that I often hear when people are talking about buildings, houses and homes:

 

Object.  Not the same as the German ‘Objekt’ when talking about a building.  Instead we use the word property.

E.g.  The property has 8 rooms and a large garden.

 

Object as a noun in English refers to a thing (Gegenstand).

E.g.  There are several objects on the table.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

I’ve mentioned before that many German speakers know that Handy does not mean mobile phone in English but are there any other Denglish words and phrases that you are using by mistake?

Here are a few more examples of that I often hear:

Naked snail  (Nacktschnecke).  This is one of my favourite Denglish words / mistranslations.  No, it is not an animal.  A snail cannot be naked.  What you mean to say is slug.

Snow broom / snow brush (Schneebesen.)  No, nothing to do with cooking and kitchens.  If you are talking about food preparation use the words whisk or wire whisk.

Have fun learning English!

Louise

I’ve mentioned before that many German speakers know that Handy does not mean mobile phone in English but are there any other Denglish words and phrases that you are using by mistake?

Here are a few more examples of that I often hear:

Pony.  This is an English word but has nothing to do with hair.  For that say fringe in British English or bangs in American English.  The word pony in English refers to a small horse.  Therefore, it’s not a good idea to ask your hairdresser to cut your pony!

Pullunder.  This is not an item of clothing in English.  In British English say tank top and in American English say sweater vest.

Messie.  Here we use the word hoarder or compulsive hoarder to describe people who collect items and live in total chaos.  The word messy in English is an adjective and means ‘unordentlich’, ‘chaotisch’ or ‘durcheinander’.  E.g.  Her desk is very messy by the end of the day.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

I’ve mentioned before that many German speakers know that Handy does not mean mobile phone in English but are there any other Denglish words and phrases that you are using by mistake?

 

Here are a few more examples of that I often hear:

 

Evergreen.  This has nothing to do with music.  If you want to describe a song that has been around for a long time and remains popular just say a classic song or a golden oldie.  Evergreen in English refers to trees, plants or shrubs that do not lose their leaves in different seasons.

Hit list.  I’ve heard this used in Germany to talk about music and songs.  In English just use the word chart or charts.  Hit list to native speakers is a list of targets to be singled out for murder!

Country potatoes.  No, not a phrase used in English.  I heard it for the first time when I came to Germany.  Just say potato wedges instead.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise

I’ve mentioned before that many German speakers know that Handy does not mean mobile phone in English but are there any other Denglish words and phrases that you are using by mistake?

 

Here are a few examples of (mistranslated) phrases that I often hear:

You are on the wood way. (Du bist auf dem Holzweg)

In English we would say:  You are barking up the wrong tree.

 

There is air to the top.  (Luft nach oben)

In English we would say:  There is room for improvement.

 

Hand shoes.  (Handschuhe)

In English we would say:  Gloves.

 

Have fun learning English!

Louise