An additional, not immediately obvious meaning or association attached to the main meaning of a word or phrase. Connotations can be reflections of specific cultural or historical context, thinking patterns, value judgements, etc. In German: die Konnotation / die Nebenbedeutung.
12
votes
7answers
11k views
Does “Jawohl” carry Nazi connotations?
Would answering "Jawohl" to an order or request be associated with Nazi Germany?
What about "Jawohl, mein Kommandant"? Can it be used (jokingly) without people finding it tasteless?
12
votes
3answers
139 views
How colloquial is “Er ist in Schwung”?
I have heard this a few years ago, meaning someone is in very good shape, very active, very fit.
But I wonder if it is still said and which connotation this phrase has.
12
votes
2answers
421 views
International interpretation of “Public viewing”
The phrase "Public Viewing" was created and established during the world championships in 2006 in Germany. It describes the viewing of an event (like a football match) in a public crowd.
As ...
10
votes
2answers
320 views
When to use “Weltanschauung” vs. “Ideologie”? Do they basically have the same meaning?
Is Ideologie just a foreign word/scientific term for Weltanschauung? Where do you see nuances in meaning? Would you use Weltanschauung in an academic discussion? What is the correct context?
For ...
9
votes
4answers
615 views
4711, 08/15 and other numbers with some flair in German?
This weekend I played a detective mystery party game in German called "Im Irrenhaus".
The action of the game takes place in a mental health hospital. Every patient has a number and a name, both are ...
9
votes
2answers
204 views
Is the word “simpel” negative or positive?
I am planning to use the word simpel in my technology product. I have found two contrasting definitions on the web:
simple, easy to use
stupid, dumb
What is the more popular meaning of the word? ...
8
votes
3answers
190 views
Ist “Quereinsteiger” eine abwertende Bezeichnung?
I war heute bei einem IT-Vortrag, wo der Referent unter anderem meinte, dass man im Marketing-Bereich das Wort "Quereinsteiger" meidet, da es eine abwertende Konnotation habe.
Ich persönlich finde ...
8
votes
6answers
180 views
Is there a difference in usage of “Klassenkamerad” vs. “Schulfreund”?
Both "Klassenkamerad", and "Schulfreund" are used for a classmate in school. Are there different connotations, regional differences, or social differences when using one or the other?
6
votes
5answers
280 views
Unterschied zwischen “Klamotten” und “Kleider”?
Mein Lehrer sagte, dass Klamotten ein anderes Wort für Kleider ist - aber gibt es einen Unterschied? Wann kann ich das Wort Klamotten benutzen, aber nicht Kleider?
Beispiele für Klamotten und Kleider ...
5
votes
2answers
546 views
Did “Frohes Schaffen!” originate from Nazi propaganda?
At work I often hear the greeting:
"Frohes Schaffen!"
Some time ago I was told that I should not use "Frohes Schaffen" as it is supposed to come from Nazi propaganda.
Ever since then I feel ...
5
votes
1answer
94 views
Ungeziefer and its meanings and connotations
Reading Kluge's Etymological Dictionary (published 1881, translated into English 1891) the word Ungeziefer has this description:
Ungeziefer, noun, 'vermin', from the equivalent late Middle High ...
5
votes
1answer
75 views
War “auf meinem Mist gewachsen” ursprünglich positiv oder negativ belegt?
Der Ausdruck "Das ist auf meinem Mist gewachsen" wird heutzutage m.W. eher negativ aufgenommen und häufiger als eine leichte Entschuldigung verwendet. Vermutlich liegt das an der negativen Wahrnehmung ...
4
votes
3answers
116 views
Did the connotation of “emsig” change?
When looking up the meaning of "emsig" (assiduous, diligent) it seems it has an entirely positive connotation
unausgesetzt fleißig, ununterbrochen tätig DWDS
The first that come to mind with ...
4
votes
1answer
99 views
Wann kann man “Sachen” für “Kleidung” sagen?
In manchen Situationen kann man "Sachen" für Kleidung sagen, in anderen nicht.
Gebräuchlich (?):
a) Ich bin beim Baden, meine Kleidung liegt irgendwo, ich will sie
anziehen, entdecke aber, dass ...
3
votes
2answers
162 views
What is the difference between “belehren” and “lehren”?
I realize many verbs add the "be" to the beginning, which fundamentally changes the meaning, e.g., kommen and bekommen, or stehen and bestehen. However, it seems as though the "be" in belehren doesn't ...
3
votes
2answers
187 views
Does “frech wie Oskar sein” have a negative connotation to it?
Does the following sentence have negative connotation? If it does, is there an equivalent without the negative connotation?
„Du bist ja frech wie Oskar!“
As I searched, none of the following ...
3
votes
1answer
535 views
Word list/book for political/historical terms/phrases one should avoid?
Due to german history (Nazi Germany, Stasi) there are alot of terms and phrases which can cause a very negative connotation.
A simple invented example would be
Der totale Sommer-Ausverkauf ...
3
votes
1answer
219 views
“Selbständig” or “Selbstständig”? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Selbständig vs. selbstständig
Both "selbständig" and "selbstständig" exist, being used in the same context in German. Still, I am not sure if there is a ...
1
vote
0answers
150 views
When EXACTLY can/do you start calling one an “Experte” [closed]
Im pretty much annoyed by this term and its imho mis-use for many pseudo-experts. Experts for terrorism, amok, climate, babysitting... you probably all know this phenomenon of people designated in ...
