Armutszeugnis

Germans love certificates. Whether it's to prove language skills, university education, or previous job experience, you simply can't have enough of them. In fact, when Germans apply for a job, they often attach a hefty stack of certificates, making their CVs about as thick as a phonebook. So it's no surprise then that Germans also have a so-called "incompetence certificate."

The German word Armutszeugnis literally translates to poverty certificate, and stems from an official document used to prove lack of income. But nowadays it's mostly used in a metaphorical sense, to point out emotional and mental shortcomings, weaknesses or inadequacies. So to get an Armutszeugnis is to show your incompetence.

Let's say you recently broke up with someone and you start spreading nasty rumors, or refuse to return their belongings. If you do something stupid to satisfy your need for vengeance, then your friends might call it an Armutszeugnis.

So before your receive an Armutszeugnis for not speaking German, learn this week's word.