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Welcome to our collection of advanced and intermediate German vocabulary with model sentences in German and English – plus audio. These vocabulary archives have been transferred from our former AboutGerman.net site, which is now closed. Over time we will continue to add more vocabulary.

German Language > Wort des Tages – Menu > Advanced German 2

PHOTO: The Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. See the sample sentences below.

DEUTSCH: Porsche Wagen sind der Inbegriff von automobilem Luxus.
ENGLISH: Porsche cars are the epitome of automotive luxury. PHOTO: Hyde Flippo

Das Wort des Tages – Archiv 2 + AUDIO
Previous advanced German Words of the Day – archived in groups of three.

Inbegriff – Steppdecke – Mutterwitz

WORD 1
der Inbegriff (-e) epitome, paragon, acme, pinnacle, essence, quintessence, embodiment, mother-of-all, perfect example; incarnation, personification, (sth) incarnate, personified; compendium, sum total

Er ist der Inbegriff des englischen Gentleman.
He is the quintessential English gentleman.
Sie ist und bleibt der Inbegriff des Bond-Girls – unvergessen ihr Bikini-Auftritt als Honey Ryder in „James Bond jagt Dr. No“, dem ersten der 007-Filme. Heute wird Ursula Andress 75 Jahre alt.
She was and remains the paragon of the Bond girl – unforgettable in her bikini appearance as Honey Ryder in Dr. No, the first 007 film. Today Ursula Andress turns 75.
Große Limousinen sind der Inbegriff von automobilem Luxus.
Large limousines are the epitome of automotive luxury.
Ein Mensch ist ein Inbegriff seiner Körperteile.
A human being is a compendium/sum total of his body parts.
Die Deutsche-Telekom-Aktie ist seit Jahren der Inbegriff der Langeweile. Der Kurs bewegt sich kaum.
For years Deutsche Telekom shares have been the embodiment of boredom. The market value barely moves.

RELATED
der Inbegriff des Bösen evil incarnate
der Inbegriff der Schönheit the personification of beauty, beauty personified
ein Inbegriff für etw sein to be a byword for sth
zum Inbegriff für etw werden to become the last word in/epitome of sth
inbegriffen (inbegr.) (adj) included
Abendessen inbegriffen evening meal included
das Paradebeispiel classic example
die Verkörperung embodiment, incarnation

WORD 2
die Steppdecke (-n) quilt, quilted cover/comforter
steppen (v.t./i.) to quilt, (machine) stich

Ich muss mir eine neue Bettdecke kaufen, weiß aber nicht, ob ich eine Steppdecke oder eine Daunendecke wählen sollte.
I have to buy a new comforter, but I don’t know whether I should choose a quilted cover or a down cover.*
Schlafset: 1 Kopfkissen, 1 Kopfkissenbezug, 1 Steppdecke, 1 Steppdeckenbezug, 1 Laken
Bedding set: 1 pillow, 1 pillowcase, 1 quilt, 1 quilt cover, 1 sheet
Das Einschlafen wird zum Genuss mit dieser luxuriös weichen Steppdecke aus Seide und organischer Baumwolle.
Make bedtime a treat with this luxuriously soft silk quilt with organic cotton.

*In fact, a quilted cover/comforter can contain (goose) down, wool, cotton or other material.

RELATED
die Bettdecke bed cover, comforter
die Daunendecke down comforter
gesteppt quilted
der Steppanorak quilted jacket/anorak
die Steppjacke quilted jacket
der Steppstich backstich, lockstich
der Stepp tap dance
steppen (v.i.) to tap dance
die Steppe steppe

WORD 3
der Mutterwitz (no pl.) common sense, native cunning, mother-wit; natural wit (humor)

Mit Mutterwitz und dem Allerweltsmaterial Tesafilm gewinnt das Ladenmädchen die Herrschaft über die elektronische Maschine.
With native cunning and the commonplace material transparent [Scotch] tape, the shop girl outsmarts the electronic machine.
Denn gerade in Frankfurt, der Ursprungsstadt von Mutterwitz und Spontaneität, gibt es noch jede Menge an Schnäppchenmöglichkeiten.
For right here in Frankfurt, the city where common sense and spontaneity began, there are still all kinds of bargain-hunting opportunities.
Ein Quentchen Mutterwitz ist besser als ein Zentner Schulwitz.
An ounce of common sense is better than a pound of school learning.
(An ounce of mother-wit is worth a pound of clergy. – 1830)

RELATED
die Gewitzheit craftiness, cunning
der gesunde Menschenverstand common sense

MORE > Advanced German Words of the Day – Main Menu

German Language > Wort des Tages – Menu > Advanced German 2

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