One of the ideas behind German Words Explained was to explain the words in German that students usually neither learn in school or at university.  In addition to some words, there are some set phrases that I heard for the first time whilst I was a student in Germany.

I found them relatively complex at the time, and yet they play an important role in the German language – particularly for television viewers.  And I am obviously not alone, since I have heard from others who have lived here and who remember – sometimes fondly – these phrases as something particular to Germany.

Here are my favourites:

1. Zu Risiken und Nebenwirkungen lesen Sie die Packungbeilage und fragen Sie Ihren Arzt oder Apotheker

This phrase is announced very quickly after any form of advertisement for medicine.  It warns you that to find out about any risks or side-effects you should read the documentation included in the packaging and ask either your doctor or pharmacist.

My assumption is because that if you were not told to do this, and suffered a side-effect, you could try and take the manufacturer to court because they did not warn you about them.

2. Der Rechtsweg ist ausgeschlossen

You see this on almost any form of competition.  As far as I understand this use, it means that you cannot take the organiser of a competition to court to claim the prizes.  Something similar to “the judge’s decision is final”.

3. Alle Angaben sind ohne Gewähr

This is used most commonly when announcing the winning numbers in the lottery each week.  It is meant to protect the broadcaster in the event that either the announcer says a wrong number or the on-screen graphic is incorrect.  Image what would happen if you thought you had won but it turned out that the numbers had been wrong!

Can you think of any others?  If so, please leave a comment!