Words of the Year in the German-Speaking World11

The German language is a rich and vibrant one, with a vast vocabulary that continues to grow and evolve over time. Each year, a number of new words are added to the German lexicon, reflecting the changing social, cultural, and technological landscape. Some of these words become so widely used and influential that they are chosen as the "Word of the Year" by various language organizations and dictionaries.

2023: Zeitenwende

The Word of the Year for 2023 in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland is "Zeitenwende." This word, which translates to "turning point," was chosen to reflect the profound changes that have occurred in the German-speaking world in recent years, including the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and the ongoing energy crisis. Zeitenwende captures the sense of a major shift in the global order and the need for new approaches to address the challenges of the future.

2022: Gaspreisbremse

In 2022, the Word of the Year in Germany was "Gaspreisbremse," which means "gas price brake." This term refers to the government's plan to limit the rising cost of natural gas for consumers and businesses. Gaspreisbremse reflects the growing concern about energy security and the impact of geopolitical events on the German economy.

2021: Booster

The Word of the Year for 2021 in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland was "Booster," which refers to the additional dose of a vaccine that is given to strengthen immunity. Booster was chosen to reflect the ongoing efforts to combat the COVID-19 pandemic and the importance of vaccination in protecting public health.

2020: Lockdown

The Word of the Year for 2020 in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland was "Lockdown," which refers to the government-imposed restrictions on movement and social gatherings that were implemented to contain the spread of COVID-19. Lockdown captures the unprecedented challenges and disruptions caused by the pandemic.

2019: Klimawandel

The Word of the Year for 2019 in Germany was "Klimawandel," which means "climate change." This term reflects the growing awareness of the urgency of addressing climate change and the need for global action to mitigate its effects.

2018: Heißzeit

The Word of the Year for 2018 in Germany was "Heißzeit," which means "hot time." This term refers to the extreme heat waves that affected Europe in the summer of 2018, which were a direct result of climate change. Heißzeit highlights the growing threat of extreme weather events and the need to adapt to a changing climate.

2017: Jamaika-Aus

The Word of the Year for 2017 in Germany was "Jamaika-Aus," which means "Jamaica-out." This term refers to the failure of coalition negotiations between the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), the Free Democratic Party (FDP), and the Green Party, which prevented the formation of a new government after the 2017 federal election. Jamaika-Aus reflects the political instability and challenges in forming a stable government in Germany at the time.

2016: postfaktisch

The Word of the Year for 2016 in Germany was "postfaktisch," which means "post-factual." This term refers to the increasing prevalence of information and claims that are not based on facts or evidence, particularly in political discourse. Postfaktisch captures the growing concerns about the spread of misinformation and the erosion of trust in traditional sources of information.

2015: Flüchtlinge

The Word of the Year for 2015 in Germany was "Flüchtlinge," which means "refugees." This term reflects the unprecedented influx of refugees from war-torn countries in the Middle East and Africa into Germany. Flüchtlinge highlights the challenges and opportunities associated with managing and integrating large numbers of refugees into German society.

Conclusion

The Words of the Year in the German-speaking world provide a snapshot of the major social, cultural, and political events and trends that have shaped the German language and society in recent years. These words reflect the challenges and opportunities faced by Germany and its citizens, as well as the ongoing process of linguistic and societal change.

2024-12-06

Previous：Korean Pronunciation Guide: Essential Phrases for Language Learners

Next：How to Pronounce “I Love You“ in Korean