When it comes to German words in Serbian, the same applies to them as well as to French words: Serbs use them, and some don’t even know that they aren’t of Serbian origin.
One of the most significant influences on Serbian vocabulary comes from the German language. This is a result of historical events and cultural exchanges.
German words have also become adapted to the Serbian language. In Serbia, we call them germanizmi.
#1 German words in Serbian: Šminka (die Schminke)
There is no woman in Serbia who doesn’t use the word šminka, but it’s questionable how many know that this word comes from the German language.
If you don’t know what šminka is, whether you’re male or female, you know the English synonym for it – ‘make-up’.
In Serbia, we call all those pretty things, such as lipsticks, eyeshadows, foundations, and more, by one name—šminka. Also, people who work as makeup artists are called šminker (male) or šminkerka (female).
#2 German words in Serbian: Keks (der Keks)
The word biscuit comes from the French, but keks comes from German. We write and read it the same way we would the original German word.
Many Serbs thought that this word was derived from the English ‘cakes’, but now you know the truth. 🙂
You should also have in mind that ‘cake’ in Serbian means kolač or torta, while keks is translated as ‘cookie’ in English.
#3 German words in Serbian: Bluza (die Blause)
Another German word that we associate with females is bluza or ‘blouse’ in English.
Bluza is mainly used for women’s clothes made of fine fabrics like cotton or silk. It’s different from majica (= T-shirt), which in Serbia usually represents sports clothes with short sleeves. It’s also different from košulja (= shirt), an elegant shirt with buttons.
The word bluza is rarely used by younger people; they call everything majica. 😀
#4 German words in Serbian: Kofer (der Koffer)
When you travel, you pack your clothes into a suitcase, while Serbs (and Germans, obviously) pack their belongings into a kofer.
Jokes aside, the English translation for kofer is a suitcase, as you can conclude yourself. 😀
#5 German words in Serbian: Ruksak (der Rucksack)
With kofer you will probably bring ruksak or a backpack. In Serbia, we also use the word ranac. There is no difference in usage, some regions simply use more one word over the other.
#6 German words in Serbian: Moler (der Maler)
In Serbia, all people who can fix something (for example, water pipes) or build something has one common name — majstor. The translation for this word in English is maestro (or in German der Meister), which tells us how these people are valued in Serbia.
One of these people is also moler (= painter). Moler is a craftsman who fixes, paints, or decorates walls.
#7 German words in Serbian: Farba (die Farbe)
Since we have already talked about moler, we should mention the German word farba.
Farba means ‘paint’ in English. While the word farba in German means color or paint, in Serbia it is used only as a term for wall paint or as a paint for hair dyeing – farba za kosu.
The name of the store where you can buy farba is also deprived of it, and it is called farbara. But, if you come to Serbia and enter farbara looking for hair paint, everyone will stare at you. That’s because you should buy hair dye at a perfumery or a drugstore.
#8 German words in Serbian: Šrafciger (der Schraubenzieher)
While we are still in this working area, another German word in Serbian we should mention is šrafciger (= screwdriver). Every Serbian household has many of these because you never know which you will need to fix something in and around the house.
Since the original German word is der Schraubenzieher, we are not sure how Serbs managed to transcribe it to šrafciger, as it is not how this word is pronounced in German. 😀
Did you know that Serbs adore being their own majstor?
#9 German words in Serbian: Cigla (der Ziegel)
Another thing we can associate with majstor is cigla. Cigla means brick in English.
This is the most commonly used construction material for Serbian houses.
#10 German words in Serbian: Fen (der Föhn)
Here’s another German word in Serbian that is connected to hair.
Fen means hairdryer in English.
This is such a common word that we don’t even have an alternative for it!
#11 German words in Serbian: Frajer (der Freier)
When we want to compliment someone (but usually out of his sight), we will say:
– Kakav frajer! (= What a handsome man.)
But we have to mention that ‘handsome man’ is not a literal translation. Frajer can be linked to šmeker. Both words include not just an outside appearance but also someone’s personality and intelligence.
#12 German words in Serbian: Gastarbajter (der Gastarbeiter)
Gastarbajter literally means a guest worker. In search of better financial opportunities, many Serbs have been finding work in wealthier European and American countries.
The common name for people who move to work in other countries is gastarbajteri.
When it comes to Europe, the most common choice of Serbs are German-speaking countries: Germany, Austria and Switzerland.
You have probably heard of the huge Serbian diaspora. Some Serbs, after earning money, return to their homeland, while others stay to live in those countries and start a family.
#13 German words in Serbian: Vic (der Witz)
Do you know some Serbian jokes?
Serbian humour is well-known and one of the main characteristics of Serbian identity. Vic is a short, funny anecdote on various topics.
In Serbia, Serbian books for children called Da pukneš od smeha are very popular. Maybe you can even try learning Serbian by reading these hilarious Serbian vicevi.
#14 German words in Serbian: Štrudla (der Strudel)
We should not forget one of the most popular cakes in Serbia – štrudla.
This is a sort of rolled pastry most often stuffed with poppy seeds. There are many different variations of štrudla in Serbia, especially in the northern part – Vojvodina – that was under the rule of the Austrian-Hungarian Empire. It can be stuffed with nuts, cherries, and apples.
‘Am I learning here about the Serbian language or German?’ – you may ask yourself. The beauty of the Serbian language is in its diversity and in how it has adapted these foreign words into itself.
However, you can learn Serbian quickly and have fun with our Serbian online lessons!
