German Loanwords in English

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Instructions: From kindergarten to wanderlust, explore the many English words borrowed from the German language!

1.
The word 'kindergarten' comes directly from German. What does it literally mean?
A
Children's garden
B
Children's school
C
Play room
D
Little classroom
2.
Which English word meaning 'a look-alike or double' comes from the German 'Doppelganger'?
A
Clone
B
Doppelganger
C
Twin
D
Mimic
3.
The word 'wanderlust' is borrowed from German. What does it literally translate to?
A
Desire to explore
B
Travel love
C
Walking pleasure
D
Desire to wander
4.
Which English word for a type of long sausage comes from German?
A
Frankfurter
B
Pepperoni
C
Chorizo
D
Salami
5.
The word 'angst' is a German loanword. What does it mean?
A
Deep anxiety or dread
B
Frustration
C
Sadness
D
Anger
6.
Which English word meaning 'a backpack worn for hiking' comes from the German 'Rucksack'?
A
Haversack
B
Satchel
C
Rucksack
D
Knapsack
7.
The word 'zeitgeist' is frequently used in English. What does it literally mean in German?
A
Time spirit
B
Cultural movement
C
Modern thinking
D
Era of change
8.
Which English word for malicious pleasure in someone else's misfortune comes from German?
A
Weltschmerz
B
Gemutlichkeit
C
Fernweh
D
Schadenfreude
9.
The word 'poltergeist' comes from German. What does 'poltern' mean?
A
To frighten
B
To disappear
C
To haunt
D
To make noise or rumble
10.
Which word for a type of pastry or twisted bread comes from the German 'Brezel'?
A
Croissant
B
Bagel
C
Pretzel
D
Strudel
11.
The word 'kitsch' entered English from German. What does it describe?
A
A style of architecture
B
Minimalist design
C
Expensive artwork
D
Art or design considered to be in poor taste or overly sentimental
12.
Which English word for a type of dog breed literally means 'badger dog' in German?
A
Dachshund
B
Schnauzer
C
Poodle
D
Rottweiler
13.
The word 'delicatessen' comes from German (borrowed from French). What does it refer to?
A
A fine restaurant
B
A candy store
C
A bakery
D
A shop selling prepared foods and delicacies
14.
Which German loanword means 'world pain' and describes a feeling of melancholy about the state of the world?
A
Wanderlust
B
Weltschmerz
C
Angst
D
Zeitgeist
15.
The word 'fest' (as in 'songfest' or 'slugfest') comes from German. What does 'Fest' mean in German?
A
Festival or celebration
B
Fight
C
Competition
D
Gathering

Answer Key

Question 1

A. Children's garden

Question 2

B. Doppelganger

Question 3

D. Desire to wander

Question 4

A. Frankfurter

Question 5

A. Deep anxiety or dread

Question 6

C. Rucksack

Question 7

A. Time spirit

Question 8

D. Schadenfreude

Question 9

D. To make noise or rumble

Question 10

C. Pretzel

Question 11

D. Art or design considered to be in poor taste or overly sentimental

Question 12

A. Dachshund

Question 13

D. A shop selling prepared foods and delicacies

Question 14

B. Weltschmerz

Question 15

A. Festival or celebration

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