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Scheisse!: The Real German You Were Never Taught in School

Scheisse!: The Real German You Were Never Taught in School

List Price: $12.00
Your Price: $9.00
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent reference for German as it is really spoken...
Review: Although the perception of this book may be that it will give the student the chance to curse effectively in German, I feel that the book's value lies elsewhere. Sure, all the vulgarities can be found here, but the book provides (more importantly, I feel) a wealth of everyday colloquialisms, slang, and familiar turns of speech unavailable (or avoided) in the classroom. This book is an excellent source for those striving for near-native fluency. Zweifellos ein ausgezeichnetes Beispiel umgangsprachlicher Redensarte!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good reference, but be careful...
Review: As one of the books in the "Merda!" series of "real language you weren't taught in school," this is a much-needed reference which fills a big gap.

However, as others have commented, the numerous regional and national dialects and variations in German make it almost impossible to compile a book like this which is both compact and accurate. My friends from southern Germany thought it was hilarious when I used some phrase from the book common only in the north -- which sort of took the wind out of my sails. It's kind of like when someone from the southern U.S. uses a phrase which lets "sophisticated" northerners immediately identify you as a "yokel."

I think it's probably more useful as a way to understand what is being said to you, rather than as a means to speaking better "real" German. Still, it's a good companion to the "respectable" German dictionary you probably already own.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good reference, but be careful...
Review: As one of the books in the "Merda!" series of "real language you weren't taught in school," this is a much-needed reference which fills a big gap.

However, as others have commented, the numerous regional and national dialects and variations in German make it almost impossible to compile a book like this which is both compact and accurate. My friends from southern Germany thought it was hilarious when I used some phrase from the book common only in the north -- which sort of took the wind out of my sails. It's kind of like when someone from the southern U.S. uses a phrase which lets "sophisticated" northerners immediately identify you as a "yokel."

I think it's probably more useful as a way to understand what is being said to you, rather than as a means to speaking better "real" German. Still, it's a good companion to the "respectable" German dictionary you probably already own.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Nice Addition To My Collection.
Review: I bought this book a while back and get a kick out of it whenever I look through it. I've been learning German for almost three years and this is a nice addition to my library of German language tools and material. It's doubtful that I would use any of the material in this book even if I had the opportunity, but it's still fun to be aware of the words and phrases. There are not too many books out there like this. A fun book to go through from time to time.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A great reference, but be careful!
Review: I first read this book several years ago, prior to a trip to Northern Bavaria. It was a great and easy read, and gave me enough to sound much more native in my skills.

But I have also learned that swearing or cursing is not so tolerated in German culture, especially in front of kids, so be careful with what you learn here.

It is a great assist for those times you are sitting in a beer hall and need to fit in a little better.

Yes, there are dialetical differences, but I have found that people in Germany really enjoy it when Americans make a concerted effort to speak the language. This book really helps.

I remember my high school German teacher, and I wouldn't try too much of this book out on him, another warning for school age readers. The title word alone got me in deep Scheisse when I used it in class!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: sorry - it is all true
Review: I had a lot of fun reading this book. It made me aware of a few things I never thought about. Sorry to admit this, but this is how we speak..... However, some caution is advised as some things are very regional and may sound quite out of place in the wrong region or context. Certainly not a good idea to actually go and use these expressions if you don't want to sound ridiculous.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Das Buch ist wunderbar!/This book is wonderful!
Review: I have been in german class for 2 years, and I never learned this. Scheisse! is a comprehensive look into the curses, slangs, body parts, and insults(as well as normal, usefull stuff). I think that it is awesome!!

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Good Book, but a possible trouble-maker...
Review: I like this book, but as in my experience with MERDE!, one can fall into this trap of thinking that everyone thinks this way, thus using the phrases and getting in trouble by doing so. ONe must be careful in using these phrases depending on one's peer group.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Funny but be careful!!
Review: I'm a native German speaker and as such I kind of feel the need to warn you a little about this book...
First I have to say that it is indeed very funny and VERY resourceful- I didn't know all of the words in here! If you are frustrated while studying German or just for fun before coming to Germany on a trip this book is a really good read I think. BUT (here it comes) you are probably quite prone to make a fool out of yourself when using some of the words or phrases in here, because a lot of it is horribly outdated. If I heard someone say some of this stuff I would probably be lying on the floor laughing- so you might not come across quite as planned!

But this isn't to say that I wouldn't buy this book if I were you! (I still have to find an equivalent of this in English :o)!)
You might want to consult a native speaker once in a while though...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Bad title, great book!
Review: I've used the book a lot in my last three trips to Berlin. The Germans were surprised of the "stuff you never learned in German" that I knew. They even liked the book and I had to leave my copy there on last visit. And it's just plain hilarious most of the time. I have to order another one for me.


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