German terms that don’t have a real equivalent in English, or just sound cute and funny

streichholzschaechtelchen:

Obviously German has a shit-ton of words and expressions that English doesn’t because of its affinity for compounding. So I collected my faves!

das Luftschloss lit. sky castle an unrealistic dream

die Eselsbrücke lit. donkey bridge a mnemonic device

der Erbsenzähler lit. pea countera control freak, someone who needs to count peas

der Pantoffelheld lit. slipper hero someone who is“whipped” or can’t stand up to their significant other

der Kummerspeck lit. worry bacon...