If we would like to say 'save my life' in German, we cannot say 'sparen mein Leben'. But what is the reason?
Firstly, we can trace the origin of 'save' in English. In the early 13th century, 'save' typically meant 'to deliver (soul) from sin or its own consequence'. It came from Old French 'sauver' which was originated from Late Latin 'salvare'. It meant to make safe or secure.
Secondly, 'sparen' in German was imported in Middle English in 9th century. It becomes 'spare' in Modern English today. Though it means 'to save from embarrassment', it also means 'to refrain from employing'. Thus it means 'to conserve money' (Geld sparen).
We should say 'Retten mein Leben!' in German for 'Save my life!'.
How about 'retten'? Does it become 'rescue' in English? I guess no. 'rescue' came from 'rescourre' in Old French.
Thursday, November 29, 2012
Tuesday, November 06, 2012
die Wortschätze
Ab jetzt auf Deutsch! : From now on German!
-e Landschaft : landscape
-e Natur: nature
-e Fläche, -n : area
-e Gegend : region
-r Wanderer : hiker
-r Strand / die Strände : strand
-s Belieben: pleasure
-s Wandern : hiking
-r Anfang: beginning
-s Schleifen: polish ( mainly refer to the bow on gift box)
tauchen gehen : go diving
umfassen : involve
davon: of it
in der Nähe : near / nearby
auf den Peak : on the peak
dort: there
-e Landschaft : landscape
-e Natur: nature
-e Fläche, -n : area
-e Gegend : region
-r Wanderer : hiker
-r Strand / die Strände : strand
-s Belieben: pleasure
-s Wandern : hiking
-r Anfang: beginning
-s Schleifen: polish ( mainly refer to the bow on gift box)
-r Gipfel: submitt
-r Schnee: snow
-s Wetter: weather
tauchen gehen : go diving
umfassen : involve
unterlassene Hilfeleistung : given assistance
größter : biggest
höchster: highest
bester: best
natur belassen : natural
davon: of it
in der Nähe : near / nearby
auf den Peak : on the peak
dort: there
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