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This content has been automatically translated from Ukrainian.
When you study German or are looking for an apartment in Germany, abbreviations can seem like a real puzzle. In the texts of announcements, correspondence or even household conversations, abbreviations are used everywhere. This saves time and space, but often causes confusion for those unfamiliar with these "encrypted" words. I will talk about the most common abbreviations with examples that will help you understand German texts faster.
1. Abbreviations in the search for apartments
Ads on real estate sites and newspapers are often full of specific acronyms. Here are some important examples:
- Zi. <TAG1> Zimmer (room).For example: "3-Zi.-Whg. in München zu vermieten" means "A three-room apartment for rent in Munich."
- Whg. <TAG1> Wohnung (apartment). "Schöne Whg. mit Balkon" translated as "Nice apartment with balcony."
- EG, OG, DG <TAG1> Erdgeschoss, Obergeschoss, Dachgeschoss (first, upper floor, attic). "2-Zi.-Whg. im DG" <TAG1> "Two-room apartment in the attic."
- NK <TAG1> Nebenkosten (additional costs, for example, for water or heating). "Kaltmiete 500 €, NK 150 €" <TAG1> "Rent 500 euros, additional costs 150 euros."
- KM <TAG1> Kaltmiete (fees excluding utilities).For example, "KM 400 €, WM 550 €" means that the basic rent is 400 euros, and the "warm rent" including the utility – is 550 euros.
- WG <TAG1> Wohngemeinschaft (co-residence). "W.G-Zimmer in zentraler Lage" means "A room in a shared apartment in the center."
- MM <TAG1> Monatsmiete (monthly rent). "2 MM Kaution" means "Two-month bail."
2. Daily cuts
There are also many abbreviations in German life, which are often used in correspondence, texts and even on signs.
- ca. <TAG1> circa (approximately).For example: "Das Konzert dauert ca. 2 Stunden" means "The concert lasts about 2 hours."
- z. B. <TAG1> zum Beispiel (for example). "Es gibt viele Tiere, z. B. Katzen und Hunde" <TAG1> "There are a lot of animals, like cats and dogs."
- u. a. <TAG1> unter anderem (in particular). "Wir bieten u. a. Workshops und Seminare an" means "We offer, in particular, workshops and seminars."
- etc. <TAG1> et cetera (etc.).Used in the same way as in Ukrainian: "Bringen Sie Papier, Stifte etc." <TAG1> "Bring paper, pens, etc."
- bzw. <TAG1> beziehungsweise (or, more precisely). "Bitte senden Sie die Unterlagen bis Dienstag bzw. Mittwoch" <TAG1> "Send the documents by Tuesday or, more precisely, by Wednesday."
3. Correspondence and conversations
In informal correspondence, abbreviations help speed up communication, but can cause difficulties for beginners:
- LG <TAG1> Liebe Grüße (best wishes).Often used at the end of an email or message.
- MfG <TAG1> Mit freundlichen Grüßen (respectfully).The official analogue of "LG".
- LOL <TAG1> Laughing Out Loud (laughing loudly).International reduction, which is also actively used in German.
- HDGDL <TAG1> Hab Dich ganz doll lieb (i love you very much).Romantic abbreviation for loved ones.
4. Abbreviations in transport
Traveling through Germany, you can also find many abbreviations in the context of transport.
- Hbf. <TAG1> Hauptbahnhof (main station).For example: "Berlin Hbf." means "Berlin Main Station."
- S-Bahn <TAG1> Stadtbahn (city train). "Mit der S-Bahn ins Zentrum" <TAG1> "On the city train to the center."
- U-Bahn <TAG1> Untergrundbahn (metro). "Die U-Bahn-Linie 5 fährt nach Alexanderplatz" <TAG1> "Metro line 5 goes to Alexanderplatz."
- DB <TAG1> Deutsche Bahn (German Railways).The logo you will see at all stations and trains.
5. Business cuts
Business correspondence and documents contain abbreviations that are worth knowing:
- AG <TAG1> Aktiengesellschaft (joint-stock company). "Siemens AG" <TAG1> is the official name of the Siemens company.
- GmbH <TAG1> Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung (limited liability company). "BMW GmbH" <TAG1> BMW company as a legal entity.
- € <TAG1> euro, the currency of the European Union.Used in financial documents: "Preis: 20 €."
How to remember abbreviations?
- Pay attention to the context. Most abbreviations are clear when the sentences are read in full.
- Use dictionaries. Online dictionaries such as Duden or specialized apartment search resources often explain abbreviations.
- Practice. Read ads, articles or correspondence where abbreviations occur.
Now that you know these abbreviations, no text in German will seem too complicated. Viel Erfolg!
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