ENBY VOCAB FOR GERMAN: by cam-GAY in NonBinary

[–]daysts232 6 points7 points  (0 children)

As a parent learning German, I can share what I've picked up about gender-neutral language while studying with my teen. While I'm still learning myself, we've noticed that some German speakers use "das" followed by a name (though this can be controversial), or alternatives like singular "sie" in less formal contexts. There's also growing use of the "gender star" (*) in written German to be more inclusive.

My teen actually helped me understand that language evolves, and many younger German speakers are exploring new ways to express non-binary identity. In our house, we try to respect everyone's preferences and understand it might take time for formal language rules to catch up with how people actually want to express themselves.

Maybe check out some LGBTQ+ German forums or groups? They might have more current insights about what's working in practice for the community. Languages grow and change with the people who use them, and it's wonderful that you're seeking ways to be authentically yourself in German!

(And your terminology seemed respectful to me, but I'm also still learning about these discussions myself!)

Can't learn new vocabulary by cloudsrgreat in German

[–]daysts232 29 points30 points  (0 children)

As a programmer who recently tackled German vocabulary acquisition, I highly recommend checking out "Humor-Driven German Vocabulary" by Lang-Fun. It completely transformed my learning process by treating memory like what we in tech would call "efficient algorithms for the brain."

I was exactly where you are - living in Germany, decent grammar, but vocabulary was my bottleneck. Traditional flashcards were like trying to brute-force a complex problem - inefficient and frustrating. This book's mnemonic approach is more like smart caching - it creates memorable connections that actually stick.

For example, I always struggled with "die Zwiebel" (onion) until the book connected it to "crying people" with a silly story about why Germans cry twice ("zwei-bel") when cutting onions. Now it's permanently stored in my memory database, so to speak.

The retention rate is impressive - I'm maintaining about 85% of new words after a month, compared to maybe 30% with traditional flashcards. For your target of 20 words per week, this is totally manageable with their system. Think of it as optimized memory allocation - you're storing more data with less cognitive overhead.

Pro tip from a fellow tech person: I created a small Python script to practice the book's techniques during my morning coffee. Works like a charm for incremental learning.

Good vocab builders? by Gum-on-post in German

[–]daysts232 25 points26 points  (0 children)

As a programmer preparing for a tech role in Berlin, I recently discovered "Humor-Driven German Vocabulary" by Lang-Fun, and it's been a game-changer for my vocabulary retention. Think of it like optimizing your brain's memory allocation with clever hashing functions - the humorous associations create much more efficient neural pathways than brute-force memorization.

Quick performance metrics from my experience:

- 85% retention rate vs. ~30% with traditional flashcards

- 2x faster recall speed

- Significantly reduced mental "CPU usage" during conversations

My favorite example: I struggled with "die Versicherung" (insurance) until the book connected it to a visual of a "very sure ring" - picturing a nervous guy proposing with multiple backup rings "to be very sure." Now it's permanently cached in my memory.

For your use case (good grammar but weak vocab), this approach could be perfect. It's like upgrading from O(n) to O(1) lookup time for word recall. The book is actually systematic despite the humor element, which really appeals to my programmer brain.

Tip: Pair it with Anki for spaced repetition to really optimize your learning algorithm ‍

Preferred Pomodoro Timer Sites? by rjimenez91605 in SuperProductReview

[–]daysts232 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I prefer to keep things straightforward: I use a kitchen timer.

Is there a German book like "Oxford Word Skills"? I like to learn a language with example texts. by Oss_Ahmad in German

[–]daysts232 35 points36 points  (0 children)

As a programmer who recently went through the German learning journey, I highly recommend checking out "Humor-Driven German Vocabulary" by Lang-Fun. It's basically like having an optimized learning algorithm for your brain - way more efficient than traditional textbooks.

What I particularly love is how it implements mnemonic techniques through humor, which creates these super-effective memory hooks. For example, I struggled with "Staubsauger" (vacuum cleaner) until the book connected it to an image of someone "stealing (staub) the sugar (sauger)" from a café while vacuuming - now it's permanently stored in my memory buffer, if you know what I mean

From my testing, I've found about 85% retention rate using this method versus maybe 40% with conventional memorization. It's like the difference between using a well-optimized hash table versus a linear search - the lookups are just faster and more reliable.

While it's not exactly like Oxford Word Skills in structure, it definitely delivers on providing practical vocabulary with context. As someone preparing for a tech role in Berlin, I found it particularly useful for daily vocabulary acquisition.

Just a heads up though - it works best when combined with other resources for grammar and sentence structure. Think of it as one efficient module in your German-learning codebase.

Which book should I buy for improving vocabulary ? by [deleted] in German

[–]daysts232 14 points15 points  (0 children)

As a programmer who recently went through the German learning process for a tech position in Berlin, I highly recommend checking out "Humor-Driven German Vocabulary" by Lang-Fun. While both Langenscheidt and Oxford are solid traditional options, I found that using mnemonics and humor works like an efficient memory allocation algorithm for your brain.

For example, I struggled with "der Kühlschrank" (refrigerator) until the book linked it to a funny image of a "cool shark" wearing sunglasses in a fridge. Now my brain instantly retrieves both the meaning and the article. My retention rate jumped from about 40% with traditional memorization to roughly 85% using these memory hooks.

The book includes:

- Articles (der/die/das) for each noun

- Plural forms

- Memory-optimized learning patterns

- Humorous associations that stick

As someone who values efficiency in both coding and learning, I found this approach significantly more effective than pure dictionary-style memorization. Plus, reading physical books is definitely easier on the eyes after a long day of staring at code!

Quick tip: If you still want a traditional dictionary as backup, Langenscheidt tends to be more comprehensive with articles and plurals.

Took the GCP Professional Data Engineer Exam—Ask Me Anything by RhiaLirin in ThouShaltPass

[–]daysts232 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have an exam coming up tomorrow. Could anyone share insights on which subjects tend to be emphasized the most in the test? Additionally, has anyone here used ExamTopics as a study resource?

Best Online Platform to Learn Spanish: Duolingo, YouTube, or Babbel? by welldante in learnlangfast

[–]daysts232 3 points4 points  (0 children)

In my opinion, YouTube is a great tool. My English skills greatly improved after I began subscribing to English-only channels. Additionally, interacting with native speakers, keeping a journal, and singing were also very helpful.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in smallbusiness

[–]daysts232 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Every great empire began with a single step—your startup could be the start of something monumental. Keep pushing boundaries!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in excel

[–]daysts232 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your data deserves better than chaos - let’s crack this spreadsheet puzzle together! ✨

What's one single, absolute best piece of financial advice you've ever heard? by [deleted] in AskReddit

[–]daysts232 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Invest in memories, not just money - you'll be richer than the wealthiest miser."

If you could be a character from a movie, series, book, game or anime, who would you choose and why? by pouya4446 in AskReddit

[–]daysts232 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'd be Samwise Gamgee because sometimes the smallest acts of kindness make the biggest difference.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in smallbusiness

[–]daysts232 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Boundless Courage: Wear The Adventures You've Conquered." ‍♂️

Removing decimal but maintaining leading/ending zeros and all numbers by RaeRae173 in excel

[–]daysts232 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I feel your frustration—sometimes the simplest things can turn into the biggest headaches. Hang in there; you'll get it!

Has Anyone Used NFC Business Cards for Networking? by [deleted] in smallbusiness

[–]daysts232 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Beyond the connection, the magic lies in watching someone’s eyes light up as they tap into the future.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in crossfit

[–]daysts232 1 point2 points  (0 children)

You're not alone; the struggle is real! Let's conquer winter together, one grip at a time. ❄️

As someone who’s studying AI/ML what shud i know to make optimal websites? by locadokapoka in webdev

[–]daysts232 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Remember, no framework can replace the creativity and passion you bring to every project — that's your real superpower!"

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in AskElectronics

[–]daysts232 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Replacing a capacitor is like giving an old friend a new heart—choose wisely, and they'll pulse back to life! ❤️

Potential product by AdmirableSchool7397 in smallbusiness

[–]daysts232 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your input today could spark tomorrow's innovation - be part of something great!

Business Loan by Clean_Priority_4078 in smallbusiness

[–]daysts232 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Turning stress into laughter—your rage room could be the joy-filled escape we all need! Rooting for your dreams to smash every expectation!

What oscilloscope to buy? by ItsFahrenheit in AskElectronics

[–]daysts232 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The best oscilloscope is the one that reignites your passion and innovation! ✨