Greetings
Moin
moyn
Hello, at any hour of the day. The northern German greeting, used constantly, and 'Moin Moin' is considered excessive chattiness by purists.
Daily life
Anmeldung
AN-mel-doong
Registering your address, legally required within two weeks of moving in, and the gateway to your tax ID, bank account and everything else.
Schietwetter
SHEET-vet-ter
Foul weather, in Low German. Used affectionately and often — Hamburg is wet, windy and grey for much of the year and locals are unembarrassed about it.
Alster
ALL-ster
The lake in the middle of the city, split into Binnenalster and Außenalster. The 7km path around the Außenalster is where Hamburg runs, walks and thinks.
Kiez
keets
A neighbourhood — but in Hamburg specifically the Reeperbahn area of St. Pauli. 'Auf dem Kiez' means a night out there.
Schanze
SHAN-tseh
The Schanzenviertel — the alternative, left-leaning district of bars, small shops and periodic protest. The centre of gravity for young Hamburg.
Kaltmiete / Warmmiete
KALT-mee-teh
Cold rent versus warm rent — base rent versus rent plus heating and service charges. Listings quote cold; your bill is warm.
WBS
vay-bay-ess
Wohnberechtigungsschein — the certificate entitling you to apply for subsidised housing. Income limits are higher than most people expect, and many working professionals qualify.
Food
Franzbrötchen
FRANTS-bruht-chn
A flattened cinnamon pastry found only in Hamburg. Locals are unreasonably attached to it and every bakery claims the best.
Culture
Elbphilharmonie
ELB-fil-har-mo-nee
The concert hall on the harbour, and the city's symbol since 2017. The Plaza viewing level is free and separate from the concert hall.
Fischmarkt
FISH-markt
The Sunday fish market from 5am, which is as much the end of Saturday night as the start of Sunday morning. A genuine Hamburg institution.
Emergency
112 / 110
—
112 for ambulance and fire, 110 for police. 112 works across the EU.
Some of this may be out of date. Spotted something inaccurate? Help us keep it right for the next newcomer.