Grim German Lessons

Here I'll talk about the German terms used in the show and what they literally translated mean. Furthermore I will make a list of words and phrases that can be useful when talking about fairy tales. At the very end of this page you will find my small "Guide to the right German pronunciation".

German words from the show in alphabetical order

"Blutbad"
First used in: Season One, Episode One / When Munroe tells Nick what he really is.
What does it mean: A blutbad is kind of an werewolf.
Literally translated: Blood bath
Other: In the show a wrong plural is used. Eddie Munroe insists on calling them "blutbaden" (literally: "bathing in blood"), the correct form would be "blutbäder".

"Hexenbiest"
First used in: Season One, Episode One / It's a headline in one of aunt Marie's books Nick reads.
What does it mean: Not yet explained.
Literally translated: Witch beast
Other: -

"Jagerbar"
First used in: Season One, Episode Two
What does it mean: Jagerbars are people who morph into bears.
Literally translated: Hunter bear
Other: In correct German it would be "Jägerbär".

 "Rabe"
First used in: Season One, Episode Two / The family name of the jagerbar family.
What does it mean: -
Literally translated: Raven
Other: -

"Roh-Hatz"
First used in: Season One, Episode Two
What does it mean: A rite of the jagerbars, happening when young adults become men.
Literally translated: Raw Chase
Other: -


Small list of useful German translations to fairy tale regarding words

 "Big bad Wolf"
German: Großer böser Wolf

"Fairy tale"
German: Märchen

"Little Red Riding Hood"
German: Rotkäppchen


"Once upon a time..."
Definition: The typical beginnig of an fairy tale
German: "Es war einmal for sehr langer Zeit..."
Literally: Once, a long time ago, there was...

"Witch"
German: Hexe


Guide to the right German pronunciation

The most difficult thing in pronouncing German might be the letters ä, ö and ü.
Acutally it's not that bad:

Ä ä:
Pronounces as the "a" in Batman or apple or can - but in American English, not British English!
Another example is "She loves you yeah, yeah, yeah!" as the Beatles sing it!

Ö ö:
Like the "i" in bird or in girl, or the "u" in purple.

Ü ü:
Here I'm still searching for the right example.
Try to pronounce "u" and "i" simultanously and you could get near it...

ß:
Like an double "s", i.e. in lesson.
Be careful and don't mistake it for a "B"!