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Meet the Germans

DW series

Get to know the Germans

From beer to nudity and ridiculous grammar - Meet the Germans uncovers the quirks and idiosyncrasies of the German culture. Through videos with presenter Rachel Stewart and other online content we bring you insider tips and a light-hearted but informative look at life in Germany.

Meet the Germans on Instagram

Meet the Germans on YouTube

Young people in Germany: Role models, hobbies and age limits

What do German teenagers get up to in their free time? And who do they look up to? This week, Rachel Stewart meets the young Germans and welcomes guest star Younes Zarou.

Rachel Stewart stands in front of a school.

School lunches, graduation pranks and the German school system

Do you know your "Gymnasium" from your "Gesamtschule"? Rachel Stewart heads back to school for Meet the Germans.

Rachel Stewart | Meet the Germans Turkish

What's it like to be part of the German-Turkish community?

More than 60 years after Turkish "guest workers" started coming to Germany, Rachel Stewart looks at the legacy of that generation and German-Turkish culture today.

Good luck, bad luck and happiness in Germany

Rachel Stewart is on the hunt for lucky charms in Germany and finding out a bit about German happiness along the way for this week's Meet the Germans.

The Autobahn, cars and driving in Germany

Rachel Stewart hits the road to find out more about the Germans and their cars in this episode of Meet the Germans.

Rachel Stewart sits on stairs by desks in what appears to be a lecture hall and smiles

English words the Germans use wrongly: Part 2

When is toast not really toast? Rachel Stewart is back with more English words that have been given a new meaning in Germany.

English words the Germans use wrongly

A German "Public Viewing" is great fun. An English public viewing? Not so much. Rachel Stewart takes a look at some English words that have taken on a whole new meaning in Germany.

DW Meet the Germans, Zuhause | Rachel Stewart

German homes and how the Germans live

From cake forks to tiny homes and BYO kitchens — join Meet the Germans host Rachel Stewart for a snoop around a typical German home.

Woman holding microphone on a stage with drums and other instruments

German music: Do you know your 'Schlager' from your 'Deutschrap?'

Rammstein, Helene Fischer and Capital Bra have probably never been on the same playlist before, but Meet the Germans is bringing them together for a musical one-off.

Woman smiling in front of the German Parliament building

German politics: Elections & voting in Germany

With the German election grabbing headlines, Meet the Germans host Rachel Stewart takes a look at how the electoral system actually works.

German idioms you really shouldn't take literally

From offended sausages to tap-dancing bears — these idiomatic expressions bring a little poetry to the German language.

Rachel Stewart, presenter for Meet the Germans (copyright: DW)

Everything you need to know about the German beer culture

Drinking beer in Germany is about a lot more than donning a "Dirndl" and downing a "Mass" at Oktoberfest. Meet the Germans presenter Rachel Stewart reveals how to drink like a local — all year round!

6 surprising things that are banned in Germany

It's no secret that Germans love rules. But did you know that washing your car or dancing in public could get you into trouble in Germany? Rachel Stewart investigates for Meet the Germans.

Once upon a time in Germany: Castles, ghosts & royalty

If there's one thing Germany does well, it's castles. On this week's Meet the Germans, host Rachel Stewart heads to Burg Eltz to catch up with the count of the castle — and a spooky ancestor.

Pride and LGBTQI Germany

As Pride events continue to some extent in German cities over the summer, Meet the Germans presenter Rachel Stewart finds out more about LGBTQ rights in Germany.

How green is Germany?

From cars to coal, recycling to school strikes — just how environmentally friendly is Germany?

Meet the Germans: Bloopers!

Things don't always run completely smoothly on a "Meet the Germans" shoot. Rachel Stewart brings you some of the best outtakes.

Germany and the Eurovision Song Contest

Meet the Germans gets a glittery makeover as presenter Rachel Stewart takes a look at Germany's Eurovision past and present.

Meet the Germans host Rachel Stewart wearing a graduation hat.

Studying in Germany: From finance to fraternities

What are universities like in Germany? How much does it cost to study there? And how did student fraternities come about? Rachel Stewart heads back to school for Meet the Germans.

German stereotypes: The dirndl, humor and German efficiency

How does the rest of the world see Germany? Rachel Stewart investigates the most common German stereotypes for Meet the Germans.

Germany and the church

Meet the Germans host Rachel Stewart looks at Germany's religious history and the presence of the church in public life today.

Mahlzeit! All about German food and eating habits

From traditional German dishes to snacks and cakes — there's plenty on the menu for this week's Meet the Germans. Join Rachel Stewart for a German feast!

Meet the Germans, New Year's Eve, Dinner for One

Dinner for One: A bizarre German New Year's Eve tradition

Many Germans ritually watch this same black-and-white British comedy every year. Rachel Stewart explains in this Meet the Germans remake of Dinner for One.

German language: Top tips for German-learners

Learning German can be quite a challenge. But help is at hand! Meet the Germans host Rachel Stewart shares her favorite German language hacks.

How sweet are German-US relations?

It's the final countdown to the US election, and Rachel Stewart digs into the story of the roller coaster relationship between the United States and Germany.

Deutschland MTG Meet the Germans Thema Brot

What's so special about German bread?

On this week's Meet the Germans, Rachel Stewart heads to the bakery to find out why Germany is the king of the crust.

Meet the Germans | Rachel Stewart zu 30 Jahre deutsche Wiedervereinigung

East Germany, the Berlin Wall and 30 years of German reunification

Why was Germany once divided into East and West? And how united is the country today? Rachel Stewart finds out more about communism, capitalism and "Ostalgie" for Meet the Germans.

World War II and the Nazi era: How Germany deals with its past

75 years after the end of the Second World War, do Germans still feel responsible for their country's past? Rachel Stewart dives into Germany's darkest chapter for Meet the Germans.

DW Meet the Germans | Rachel Stewart | Schrebergarten

Why the Germans love their allotment gardens

Urban oasis or stickler's paradise? Meet the Germans presenter Rachel Stewart takes a peek inside a German "garden colony" to talk nature, gnomes — and the all-important rule book.

New episodes of Meet the Germans

Kate Müser introduced foreigners to the special ways of Germans for two years with her online videos. Now Rachel Stewart is taking the reins of "Meet the Germans".

Picture galleries

Knowing Germany's remembrance culture — as a foreigner

Memorial days, monuments: Every nation recalls its history. For most Germans, the past is a source of shame, as DW's Dana Regev from Israel has learned.

Man holding a red glowing heart on his palm

Carry it on your tongue: German 'heart' idioms

What is lying on your heart? Or more alarmingly, why has your heart slipped into your pants? The German language is filled with idioms with the word "heart."

Chancellor Angela Merkel smiling as she holds a Bratwurst in a bread

German cuisine: Does it exist and can you enjoy it?

Many countries around the world are famous for their versatile cuisines, but Germany isn't exactly one of them. What defines traditional "German" food?

Man in orange climbing around power lines.

Blackout? 'Electrifying' German idioms

Fuse blown, or running on empty? Forget the electrician. There are a number of colloquial German expressions drawing metaphors about power and electricity.

Pandemic pondering: German expressions using time

Still in the throes of the coronavirus pandemic, people have redefined their notion of time. The German language is rich in idioms to reflect on the concept.

Someone showing a picture of a bear to another person pointing at her; there are different icons of German culture on the wall behind them, from a Bretzel to the Berlin bear.

50 episodes of Meet the Germans: Put your knowledge to the test!

To celebrate this Meet the Germans milestone, host Rachel Stewart finds herself in the hot seat. How well does she know her own show — and can you do any better?

Advent wreath with four white candles, three of them lit

German idioms to keep calm in the holiday season

The stress level can be high before Christmas — buying gifts and preparing family reunions. Here are a few German expressions to stay calm and relax during the year-end rush.

Car on highway, everything else is blurred

Stare like a car? German idioms related to automobiles

They can be used to describe someone who is furious, boring, too fast or too slow: Different German-language idioms include a reference to automobiles.

Traditional nutcrackers standing in a row.

How the nutcracker achieved worldwide fame

Here's how the traditional nutcracker, created in Germany more than 150 years ago, became an iconic wooden Christmas decoration that's popular around the world.

The Germans and their kiosks — a love affair

You can take Germans out of a kiosk (and even that might require extremely developed persuasion skills) — but you can't take the kiosk out of the Germans.

A image of a road with a temporary cycle path and an image of a bike painted in yellow.

Germans and their beloved bike paths

DW's John Marshall looks at the differences between bike culture in Germany and the US, and why you should never walk on a German bike path.

BdT Deutschland Sturm über Norddeutschland

Are you through the wind? German nature idioms

The German language has many everyday idioms referring to nature and weather phenomena, from snow and rain to ice. Grease that lightning and beware the eaves in rain!

Symbolbild matematische Formeln auf einer Schultafel

What Germans say when they don't get it

Do you understand only train station? The German language has quirky idioms for drawing a mental blank, or when people are at a loss.

Two cooks testing food during a cooking competition

'Love goes through the stomach': 13 German idioms about food and cooking

German is rich in idioms revolving around food and cooking. Learn some of them to impress your friends while also whetting your appetite in the process!

Woman with mug of tea and speech bubble with text Live

Meet the Germans live: Dating, elections and gender-neutral language

Rachel Stewart answered your questions in the latest Meet the Germans livestream. Catch up on the best bits here.

German idioms in challenging times

From stiff ears to cups of tea and the light at the end of the proverbial tunnel, Germans use vivid idioms of encouragement in times of the COVID-19 pandemic.

More than hot air: German idioms with 'air'

What Germans say when there is room for improvement, something is in the wind, or fizzles out.

Yellow, blue, pink and white letter beads with the word 'Sprache' in the center

Mother tongue moments: How to combine German and English

From "Handy" to "Oldtimer," the German language is riddled with Anglicisms that can be confusing, says DW's Louisa Schaefer, but that can be celebrated too.

The German language's saltiest expressions

Once known as "white gold," salt is essential to life. No wonder it's trickled into German idioms. And oversalting is seen as a sign that you're in love...

Hope on the horizon? German expressions to inspire

You might find it hard to learn German, but don't give up! As one expression goes: Hope is the last to die.

Local patriotism: How Germans replaced nationalism with regional pride

Many foreigners have noticed that Germans are not the greatest patriots when it comes to their country. But when it comes to their city or region? Oh boy.

What Germans mean when they tell you 'only the cuckoo knows'!

Quite a few everyday German idioms use bird imagery. Here's what Germans mean when they tell you 'only the cuckoo knows' or they'd rather have 'a sparrow in their hand than a pigeon on the roof.'

Woman and man sitting in shadow in front of the sunset before the sea, with wicker beach huts to each side.

The beauty of sunshine: German expressions

Sunlight and being outdoors gave us a real boost this past pandemic year. To mark summer solstice, we look at German idioms using the word "sun."

Denglish: How to use English to sound like a true German

You may have noticed, Germans have a tendency to weave English words into their sentences and even change their accent accordingly. Not sure how to fit into the conversation like a pro? We got you covered.

A mix of apples, pears, grapes and nuts.

6 'fruity' German expressions

You'll probably need to bite in the sour apple to learn German properly! Here are different German expressions involving fruit to tickle your taste buds.

Young stars from Germany who are shaking the culture scene

From Helena Zengel to Felix Jaehn: These are the actors, authors, DJs and artists are getting noticed, and not only in their home country.

Germans and eroticism: It's complicated

How well do Germans do in bed? That's what Rachel Stewart asked a woman who should know. A conversation about the sexual needs of German women, the insecurity of men — and the evolution of the vibrator.

German idioms involving shoes

Germans use many idioms, including quite a few shoe-related ones. Are you "fit as a sneaker" or just a "house-shoe hero"? Here are some you can try on for size!

A close-up image of a flame burning a white candle.

To be fire and flame: German expressions with 'fire'

May 4 marks International Firefighters' Day — a time to honor their work, while also learning some German expressions involving fire.

'Heaven on earth' and other German expressions

The pandemic has been dominating headlines over the year, but our planet is also begging for attention. To honor Earth Day, here are a few "down-to-earth" idioms from the German language.

the Chinese platform Tik Tok viewed on a mobile phone with a right thumb on the screen

Digital role models: Germany's influencers

Many young people in Germany love imitating the lives of their online idols, mostly because they feel like they can be just as successful and attractive as influencers.

German water idioms in honor of World Water Day

Wash your hands — hand hygiene has turned out to be essential during the COVID pandemic. Water imagery also plays a role in quirky everyday German idioms.

A bunch of anti-stress balls with smiley faces on them.

German idioms about happiness, joy and luck

With all the challenges, grief and misfortune during the pandemic, who couldn't use a little more cheer in their lives? Learn some expressions in German!

The word 'Corona' spelled with Scrabble letters

1,200 new German terms coined during COVID pandemic

Overzoomed? Covidiot? With its numerous new words inspired by COVID-19, the German language creatively reflects developments of the past year.

From alcohol to sugar: Words with Arabic roots

While the integration of Arab migrants sparks ongoing debates, one thing is for sure: language-wise, Arabic is well rooted in Germany. Both English and German have many common words that stem from the language.

Symbolfoto zum Thema Datensicherheit auf dem Smartphone Haende tippen auf einem Smartphone Berlin

Surviving the Germans' extreme online privacy

Moving from Israel to Germany, DW's Dana Regev was surprised to learn just how seriously Germans take their privacy. Here's how she survived.

From head to toe — quirky German idioms based on body parts

Idioms based on body parts are popular in both English and German, but they aren't identical. In Germany, stones drop from hearts and some people live on big feet.

Woman wearing a mask and jogging through a city

German expressions to run away from it all

During the COVID pandemic, we've had to alter our lives dramatically on every front, including getting exercise. Learn German expressions using "running."

German facial expressions that need explaining

The game's rules can appear mysterious to the noninitiated, yet more Germans play it than football. It's also listed as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage asset.

A 'German superfood' for every month of the year

Don't be fooled by marketing labels! "Superfood" is just another buzzword to boost product sales and prices. But since Germans are going chia, here are a few regional products we should be eating more of.

Rachel Stewart in Santa hat in front of tree

Meet the Germans live: Christmas edition!

What do Germans eat at Christmas? And did the Christmas tree really originate in Germany? Catch up on the Christmas livestream with Rachel Stewart!

A cartoon hamster sits in a grocery cart

Germany's pandemic hoarders: 'Hamstern' isn't a new phenomenon

"Hoarding like a hamster"? You bet the Germans do! At the start of the coronavirus outbreak, the world learned the quirky German verb "hamstern." A look at two world wars shows such hoarding has been done before.

German folk remedies for a speedy recovery

Russian-German author Wladimir Kaminer recalls the Berlin years after the fall of the Wall, when people squatted houses and lived like there was no tomorrow.

R.I.P.: German funeral rites and practices

Obituaries, funeral services, grave maintenance fees: Germany has an array of laws and traditions when it comes to death and burial. But new trends are bringing change.

8 vegetables Germans love that you might never have tasted

German supermarkets and farmer's markets can be a challenge for newcomers to the country. If Germans are fans of black salsify or kohlrabi, foreigners might not have a clue what are — or how to prepare them.

Wladimir Kaminer on 30 years of German reunification

The Russian-born DJ and author of "Russian Disco" has been living in Germany for 30 years. For DW, Wladimir Kaminer tells what makes Germany different now.

A handshake, one arm extended through a hole in a wall

German reunification: What still divides East and West?

The geographical division through the middle of Germany may have vanished from maps — but not so much from minds, as DW's Dana Regev has learned.

German abbreviations: A love-hate relationship

Germans might be the world champions of abbreviations. But as popular as they are, some people are against them: Rap band Fanta 4 complained about their widespread use, and clipping words was promoted by the Nazis.

A rainbow flag flies over the Brandenburg gate in Berlin

German expressions with a color to brighten up your life

As in every language, German has a number of idioms referring to a color. But some of their literal translations can be enigmatic for English speakers. Can you guess their meaning?

A close-up shot of a two feet in socks and sandals

Germans, socks and sandals: An exploration of the cliche

Combining socks with sandals is now a mainstream trend. But even back when it was a fashion no-go, Germans couldn't have cared less. We look into the stereotype, as well as Germany's strong tradition of ugly sandals.

Meet the Germans, Rachel Stewart, Livestream

Meet the Germans live: Summer and vacations in Germany

Where do the Germans like to go on vacation? And how well do they know their barbecues? Meet the Germans host Rachel Stewart answered these questions and more during a summer-themed livestream on YouTube. Catch up here!

How to avoid getting scolded by a German

Have you ever walked on the bicycle lane? Put a refundable bottle into a regular bin? Asked a bus driver how much the ride costs? In Germany, these beginners' mistakes might earn you a good scold. Here's how to avoid it.

DW Meet the Germans host Rachel Stewart holds up an iPad with the Instagram symbol on it

DW's 'Meet the Germans' launches on Instagram

Can't get enough 'Meet the Germans?' Host Rachel Stewart is taking the hit series to Instagram! Get ready for 365 days of videos, photos and more, all with the MTG signature touch of hard facts and sharp humor.

Asparagus craze in Germany during the coronavirus crisis

As spring blooms in Germany, locals excitedly count the days until they can eat their favorite vegetable: asparagus. Turns out not even a pandemic can dampen desire for the white stalks, as DW's Meet the Germans learned.

Symbolbild Deutschland Spenden und Mitgliedsbeiträge

Avoid coronavirus boredom and survive Germany's tax returns with a smile

Could there be a positive side to the nerve-wracking task of submitting your taxes? According to Germany's Federal Statistical Office, 9 of 10 taxpayers receive an average refund of €900 each year. Enough an incentive?

Belgien Nachstellung der Schlacht von Waterloo

How military slang slips into everyday civilian use

Under the radar, long shot and top gun: All over the world, people use idioms borrowed from wars and the military. Some are new, but quite a few in German date back hundreds of years, says linguist Rolf-Bernhard Essig.

Meet the Germans live: Your questions answered

Fashion, transport and island castaways — just some of the topics you quizzed Rachel Stewart on during the first ever Meet the Germans livestream. Catch up here!

All your 'Meet the Germans' questions answered live on YouTube

Meet the Germans host Rachel Stewart is inviting fans of the popular series to join her on a YouTube livestream on Friday. Ask her anything about her work and she'll let you in on all the ideas that are in the pipeline.

Deutschland Nationalpark Rostock-Warnemünde

Sweet talk and laughter — German sayings involving forests and trees

The forest may serve as a place of refuge during the coronavirus crisis. Traditionally, Germans are known for their love of the woods — and they also have a host of wonderful sayings and phrases revolving around them.

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