Word relevance counter
I read or watched something a while ago, but can't find it again.
It was a place (internet site) where you can insert a German word into a searchbar, and it will show you how much the word has been used.
The idea is that you don't go learning strange words that are not really used much, or anymore.
Any idea's on this site, or similar!?
5 Comments
The Duden website has an indication of frequency ("Häufigkeit"); for example:
kennen: https://www.duden.de/rechtschreibung/kennen (4 out of 5 bars)
You can also use Google's ngramviewer to assess the frequency of words over time. https://www.lifewire.com/google-books-ngram-viewer-1616701
This is a very interesting topic. The usefulness of words depends a lot of what you want to do with the language.
If you are into sports - and this means mainly football/soccer in German speaking countries, you will eventually need "Abseitsfalle". If you are into classical music, "Leitmotiv" will come your way etc. Outside of these "worlds", you will never hear these words.
There are words fallen out of use, because the object described is no longer used ("Nachttopf", "Korsett") or the concept is dated ("Untertan", "Fräulein"). Other words are seasonal ("Krippe"). All these words are rarely used, but you still might need them for understanding some texts.
If you read / listen to content that is of interest to you, you will come across the relevant words automatically.
When I read my first Jane Austen book, I learned "bonnet", when I read Harry Potter, I learned "wand". I had never come across these words before, but I'm sure, all native English speakers know them.
Very true! Great comment
Actually the word that got me thinking about this was in the Places section of the German tree: Pension = Guest House, Bed and Breakfast
But, I would think that just simply Gasthaus would be used.
Pension is a good option (notice the pseudo-French pronunciation "Pangsion" - teutonic attempt to nasals).
A "Gasthaus" is a restaurant / bar usually. It might offer accommodation, but that's not its main purpose. While a "Pension" is all about accommodation, usually without a full restaurant. It has a more personal touch than a "Hotel garni", but basically the same service.
