How to order a pretzel ‘auf Deutsch’

Germany is home to many of the world’s most delicious snacks, from pretzels to bratwurst to schnitzel.

To try an authentic German meal, it helps to know a bit of the language. German is spoken by some 130 million people — that’s 130 million people who know exactly how to get a good die brezel at a local Oktoberfest.

German and English are both in the family of Germanic languages, meaning there are quite a few similarities in how letters are pronounced and how phrases are constructed.

Still, there are some stark differences. Some German words have no true English translation, some are very long and some are just a mouthful to say.

Try your tongue at these German words and phrases — maybe one will earn you a salty, buttery Bavarian pretzel.

And if you want to solve the Pretzel Maze at the top of this story, you can download it here.

Die brezel

A pretzel. Originally made popular in Bavaria, a mountainous region in Southern Germany.

Die pizza

One of those words that really shows how similar German and English can be.

Die erdnussbutter

Peanut butter. Though, in Deutschland — what the Germans call their country — this creamy or crunchy spread is not nearly as popular as it is in the U.S.

Die bratwurst

A brat is made of pork, veal or beef. Like a hot dog, it’s often eaten in a bun. If you have an extra on the grill, ask a friend if they want one: “Wollen Sie eine Bratwurst?“

Die süßigkeit

This is the word for candy. The Haribo candy company, which most famously makes gummy bears, is based in Bonn, Germany.

Die sauerkraut

Fermented cabbage. German immigrants brought kraut to the U.S., and now our neighbors in Wisconsin are actually the world’s largest producer of the stuff.