My Adventures in German Entertainment Talk

Okay, so here I am, six months in Berlin, and let’s be honest, my German is… patchy. I can order a Bier (beer!) and ask for directions, but actually talking about my favourite films or music? That’s a whole other beast. It’s not just about knowing the words; it’s about understanding the cultural nuances, the way Germans actually discuss entertainment. I’ve made a few spectacular (and hilarious) blunders, and I wanted to share what I’ve learned, specifically about how to talk about movies, TV, and music.

The Initial Shock: “Aber…?”

The first few weeks were brutal. I’d try to say, “Ich liebe Interstellar!” and be met with this incredibly polite, but utterly bewildered, “Aber…?” (But…?!) It took me a while to realize that “Aber…” isn’t just a friendly question. It’s the question when someone doesn’t understand your enthusiasm. It’s like saying, “Seriously? You like that?” I learned to soften my approach.

Example Dialogue:

Me: “Ich finde Dunkle Materie toll! Die Bilder sind fantastisch!” (I think Dark Matter is great! The pictures are fantastic!)

Friend: “Aber… warum?” (But… why?)

Me: (Nervously) “Nun, es ist eine komplexe Geschichte über Zeitreisen und… und… Freundschaft.” (Well, it’s a complex story about time travel and… and… friendship.) – Much better.

Vocabulary You Need: More Than Just “Film”

Don’t just rely on “Film.” Germans use a whole host of words for different types of entertainment.

• Serien: (Series) – You’ll hear this constantly. “Hast du Stranger Things gesehen?” (Have you seen Stranger Things?)
• Kino: (Cinema) – Self-explanatory!
• Musicals: (Musicals) – Surprisingly popular!
• Konzerte: (Concerts) – Everyone goes to concerts!
• Live-Musik: (Live music) – Even more specific, referring to music played in a venue.
• Streaming-Dienste: (Streaming services) – Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney+ – all the rage.

I also learned the words for genres: Science-Fiction (Science Fiction), Thriller (Thriller), Komödie (Comedy), Drama (Drama), Horror (Horror). Knowing these helped me explain why I liked something.

Talking About Specific Movies and Shows

It’s not enough to just say you like a film. You need to describe what you like about it. Here’s how I’ve been trying:

• Die Schauspieler: (The actors) – “Ich mag Tom Cruise sehr.” (I really like Tom Cruise.)
• Die Geschichte: (The story) – “Die Geschichte ist spannend.” (The story is exciting.) Or, “Die Geschichte ist langweilig” (The story is boring).
• Die Musik: (The music) – “Die Musik im Film ist gut.” (The music in the film is good.)
• Die Atmosphäre: (The atmosphere) – “Die Atmosphäre im Film ist gruselig.” (The atmosphere in the film is scary.)

I recently went to see Der Ausgestoote (The Gaul) with a colleague. I desperately wanted to talk about how much I enjoyed the dark humour, but I just ended up saying, “Der Film ist…okay.” (The film is…okay.) He gave me another “Aber…?” I need to work on my vocabulary!

Music Discussions: A Different Ballgame

Talking about music seems even more complex. You don’t just say “Ich mag Musik.” You need to be specific.

• Genre: “Ich höre gerne Rockmusik.” (I like to listen to rock music.) Or “Ich mag Popmusik.” (I like pop music.)
• Künstler: (Artists) – “Ich mag Coldplay.” (I like Coldplay.)
• Lieder: (Songs) – “Ich mag diesen Song von Rammstein.” (I like this song by Rammstein.) – Be careful – Rammstein’s music isn’t always universally liked!
• Wie fühlt sich die Musik an? (How does the music feel?) – This is important! “Die Musik ist traurig.” (The music is sad.) Or “Die Musik ist energiegeladen.” (The music is full of energy.)

Common Misunderstandings and Corrections

This is the most important part. I’ve realized that Germans are very literal. Once, I said, “Der Film war super!” (The film was amazing!) and my friend looked at me as if I’d grown a second head. Apparently, “super” is often used sarcastically. I’ve learned to be more careful with my word choice!

Also, Germans tend to be very direct. Don’t be afraid to ask for clarification if you don’t understand something. “Können Sie das bitte wiederholen?” (Can you please repeat that?) is your friend.

Moving Forward

I’m still learning, of course. But I’m trying to embrace the “Aber…” moments – to understand that it’s not necessarily a criticism, but an invitation to elaborate. I’m also focusing on expanding my vocabulary and learning to express my opinions more clearly. And, most importantly, I’m trying to enjoy the process of learning about German culture and its love for cinema, music, and all things entertainment! Weiter geht’s! (Let’s keep going!)