Let’s have some fun with this weird German language!
In this series of posts, I’ll show you how to make your German speaking colleagues laugh with ONE simple sentence.
Alter Schwede
(Old Swede)
“alt” means old, and “der Schwede” is the Swede, so the person who comes from Sweden (die Person, die aus Schweden kommt).
But, this is not something we say when we complain about a broken dish we bought at IKEA a few weeks ago (vor ein paar Wochen) :-)
We use this expression to express somehow that we are astonished or staggered.
- Was? (What?)
- Er hat gekündigt? (He quit the job?)
- Alter Schwede! (Oh my god!)
- Das glaube ich nicht. (I can’t believe it.)
But it’s also commonly used among good friends, just as a way to address or greet someone.
- Na, du alter Schwede, wie geht’s? (Hey dude, how are you doing?)
Got it?!
So here’s your action step:
Next time you meet your German-speaking Head of Research Department, say to him (sag ihm):
- Na, du alter Schwede, wie geht’s? (Hey dude, how are you doing?)
Of course, only if you’re sure that you won’t be fired afterwards :-)
And this is what it sounds like:
Then, tell me in the comments below how they reacted.