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German Words in English Trivia Quiz

English has borrowed very few words from modern German, but there are some. In each case, pick the English word or phrase that provides the best definition or explanation. Have fun!

A multiple-choice quiz by bloomsby. Estimated time: 3 mins.

Author
bloomsby

Time
3 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
37,592

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Average

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
6159

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

Last 3 plays: Guest 24 (9/10), psnz (10/10), Guest 85 (3/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. What does 'ersatz' mean? Hint

rayon

rubber

coffee

substitute

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Question 2 of 10

2. What does 'Schadenfreude' mean? Hint

brutality

gloating

friendship

earnestness

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Question 3 of 10

3. What is meant by 'Mitteleuropa'? Hint

Middle Europe

Germany

Bourgois Europe

Central Europe

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Question 4 of 10

4. What is a 'Kursaal'? Hint

health farm

sanatorium

building for visitors at a spa

concert hall

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Question 5 of 10

5. What is the meaning of 'Zeitgeist'? Hint

art nouveau

spirit of the age

art deco

contemporary

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Question 6 of 10

6. When writing about Germany historians sometimes use the word 'Putsch'. What does it mean? Hint

coup d'etat

farce

brawl

Nazi

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Question 7 of 10

7. What is 'Wanderlust'? Hint

zest for life

spirit of adventure

mental instability

desire to travel

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Question 8 of 10

8. What is the meaning of 'Weltschmerz'? Hint

self-pity

severe depression

melancholy discontent

narcissicism

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Question 9 of 10

9. What does 'Angst' mean? Hint

neurosis

anxiety

trauma

hallucinations

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Question 10 of 10

10. What is a 'Weltanschauung'? Hint

a scientific study of the world

an idiosyncracy

a personal opinion

philosophy of life

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Most Recent Scores

Apr 18 2024 : Guest 24: 9/10
Mar 26 2024 : psnz: 10/10
Mar 04 2024 : Guest 85: 3/10

Score Distribution

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. What does 'ersatz' mean?

Answer: substitute

In English 'ersatz' can be used as a noun or an adjective.

2. What does 'Schadenfreude' mean?

Answer: gloating

It used to be said that gloating over the misfortunes of others is 'typically German'. It's worth being very skeptical indeed about such statements.

3. What is meant by 'Mitteleuropa'?

Answer: Central Europe

'Mitteleuropa' is sometimes used by historians in the sense of for 'Greater Germany', especially with reference to the period c. 1890-1945. The term is sometimes used in a mildly jocular sense, too.

4. What is a 'Kursaal'?

Answer: building for visitors at a spa

In English the word is often pronounced as if it were written as "kurzle". Spas are popular in Central Europe. Particularly well known spas include Wiesbaden and Baden-Baden in Germany, Karlovy Vary (German: Karlsbad), Marianske Lazne (German: Marienbad) in the Czech Republic and Bad Ischl in Austria.

The word 'Bad' before a place-name in the Germany-speaking lands indicates that the place is a spa.

5. What is the meaning of 'Zeitgeist'?

Answer: spirit of the age

This is among those German words used quite a lot in English.

6. When writing about Germany historians sometimes use the word 'Putsch'. What does it mean?

Answer: coup d'etat

'Putsch' is almost invariably used of a failed coup and often has overtones of comedy and farce.

7. What is 'Wanderlust'?

Answer: desire to travel

Incidentally, the second component, 'die Lust', though obviously cognate with the word 'lust' in English, means 'desire' in modern German.

8. What is the meaning of 'Weltschmerz'?

Answer: melancholy discontent

Of course, those with weltschmerz often suffer from the other three as well!

9. What does 'Angst' mean?

Answer: anxiety

This word is used both in psychology and also more generally in English.

10. What is a 'Weltanschauung'?

Answer: philosophy of life

The German, 'die Weltanschauung' (pl. -en) means 'view of the world' or 'world-view'.

Source: Author bloomsby

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor ponycargirl before going online.
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German Words in English Trivia Quiz

English has borrowed very few words from modern German, but there are some. In each case, pick the English word or phrase that provides the *best* definition or explanation. Have fun!

English has borrowed very few words from modern German, but there are some. In each case, pick the English word or phrase that provides the best definition or explanation. Have fun!