German Loanwords in English394

The English language has borrowed words from countless other languages throughout its history. One of the most significant sources of loanwords in English is German. German loanwords have entered English through a variety of channels, including trade, travel, and immigration.

Some of the earliest German loanwords in English date back to the Middle Ages. These words include "kindergarten," "rucksack," and "edelweiss." During the 18th and 19th centuries, German philosophers and scientists made significant contributions to their respective fields, and many of their terms have been adopted into English. Examples include "zeitgeist," "weltanschauung," and "übermensch." In the 20th century, German loanwords entered English through popular culture, including words such as "blitzkrieg" and "gestalt."

German loanwords are found in all areas of the English vocabulary, from everyday words like "bratwurst" and "sauerkraut" to more technical terms like "angst" and "doppelgänger." Some German loanwords have become so common in English that they are no longer considered foreign. For example, the word "hamburger" is now considered an English word, even though it originally comes from the German city of Hamburg.

The following is a list of some common German loanwords in English:
Angst
Bratwurst
Doppelgänger
Edelweiss
Gestalt
Kindergarten
Rucksack
Sauerkraut
Zeitgeist
Weltanschauung
Übermensch

German loanwords continue to enter the English language today. As the two languages continue to interact, it is likely that even more German words will be adopted into English in the future.

2025-01-02

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