Strange Verbs: “duzen” and “siezen” – a real doosy! The German language actually has verbs to describe whether you are being formal or informal with the person you’re talking to.

Whereas “duzen” (literally perhaps “to say you, dude”) is done mainly to children and friends, and “siezen” (maybe “to say you, sir”) is for adults and formal situations, the line blurs dramatically in reality – especially in Berlin (and at Ikea).

A beautiful new friendship blossoming out of a formerly formal relationship may often begin with the softly muttered phrase “Wollen wir uns duzen?” You’d have to have a heart of stone not to respond… ‘I du’.