When you start learning German you might think that there is only one "German." Unfortunately, that is not true. What you usually learn in German school is "Hochdeutsch" - Standard German. But despite the different Germans that are spoken in Switzerland and Austria there are even different "Germans" in Germany itself. Some call them dialects, some insist that at least some "dialects" are in fact different languages altogether. Semantic differences aside, some of the German languages spoken are quite difficult to understand for people from other parts of Germany. Sometimes you even find subtitles in German TV when someone from certain parts of Germany gets interviewed.
Out of many dialects, the "Hochdeutsch" that is now considered standard German was picked as a common language.
However, there are many more, for example
Friesisch
Platt
Berlinerisch
Westfälisch
Moselfränkisch
Kölsch
Hessisch
Pfälzisch
Schwäbisch
Alemannisch
Bairisch
Badisch
Fränkisch
Sächsich
Märkisch
Mecklenburgisch
If you are interested in finding out more about the history of German dialects you might want to check out this German video. And if you want to see which words are used in the different languages of Germany, I recommend checking out the Atlas Alltagssprache project.
Below you can find a collection of fun words (some of which I am not even sure how to pronounce) from all over Germany and their "Hochdeutsch" equivalent:
Ahalbrieh - Bremsflüssigkeit (Erzgebirge/sächsisches Vogtland)_brake fluid
Bleschl - Zunge _ tongue
Bräschdlingsgselzhäfale – Erdbeermarmeladenglas (Schwäbisch)_strawberry jam glass
Buwespitzle - Schupfnudeln_finger-shaped potato dumpling
Erdäppel/Grumbeere– Kartoffel_potato
fehnsen - weinen_to cry
Fickfacken - "um den heissen Brei reden" (Hamburgisch)_to beat about the bush
Flickflauder - Schmetterling_butterfly
Furzmulle = Bett_bed
Geelerriewe - Karotten_carrots
Giggele – kleines Tütchen_small bag
Gonte - Wasserpfütze_puddle
Guzgauch - Kuckuck (Kärnten)_cuckoo
Gusche = Mund_mouth
Handeule - Handbesen_hand brush
Hansgebiebche/Motschekiebchen/Modscheküpschen - Marienkäfer_ladybug
Hitsche/Ritschel - Fußbank_footstool
Hosche - Schaukel_swing
Hummeltitten - Gänsehaut_goose bumps
Kniffte - Brot_bread
Kolder -Wolldecke_wool blanket
Krökeltisch - Tischfußball (Hannover)_foosball
Oachkatzlschwoaf - Eichhörnchenschwanz_squirrel tail
Ölejelche - Zwiebel_onion
Persching - Pfirsiche_peaches
Pillepoppen – Kaulquappen_tadpoles
Schrippe (Berlinerisch)/Semmel (Bayerisch) - Brötchen _bread roll
spetzen - spucken (Fränkisch)_to spit
Wainnbiirl – Weintraube_grape
Wunderfitzig - Neugierde_curiosity
Do you know some fun words in one of the many German languages? Share below!
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