My First Steps into Talking About Health in Germany – And Why It’s Harder Than I Thought

Okay, so here I am, six months in Berlin, working as a freelance translator. It’s amazing, the work is great, but let’s be honest, settling into a new culture is hard. I thought I was prepared – I’d studied German for a year, I’d watched a ton of German TV, and I’d even tried to order a coffee in German (with disastrous results, I might add). But actually talking about everyday things, especially things that feel personal, is a whole different ballgame. And when it comes to health – Gesundheit – it’s proving to be particularly tricky, largely because of this amazing, and frankly, frustrating, German grammar.

The Initial Confusion: “Besser” vs. “Mehr”

The first few weeks, every conversation about my fitness felt like a battle of wits. I kept stumbling over the comparative and superlative forms. My German friend, Luke, a physiotherapist, was trying to help me understand how to manage the stress of my job, and I was completely lost.

“Du musst mehr Sport machen, Alice!” he said, gesturing enthusiastically. “Es ist besser, wenn du jeden Tag joggen gehst.”

I nodded, trying to look confident, and replied, “Ja, ja, ich versuche, mehr Sport zu machen!” but internally, I was screaming. Mehr and besser…it just didn’t click. I realised I was using “mehr” for everything, assuming it was the right way to say “more” when comparing things. It’s only now, after a lot of awkward explanations (and a few red faces), that I understand besser is used for qualities and mehr is about quantity.

Example: “Mein Salat ist besser als dein Salat.” (My salad is better than your salad – focusing on quality). “Ich esse mehr Obst.” (I eat more fruit – focusing on quantity).

A Real-Life Misunderstanding (and a Helpful Correction!)

Last week, I was at the supermarket with my neighbour, Frau Schmidt. I was trying to explain to her that I’m trying to eat healthier.

“Ich esse jetzt weniger Zucker,” I said, feeling proud of myself. “Ich kaufe keine Süßigkeiten mehr.”

Frau Schmidt looked concerned. “Aber Alice,” she said, “weniger Zucker ist nicht immer besser! Manchmal braucht der Körper Zucker. Und Süßigkeiten sind nicht unbedingt ‘mehr’ – manchmal ist es besser, einfach weniger zu nehmen!”

It was brilliant! She gently pointed out that I was framing everything in terms of quantity (“mehr,” “weniger”) instead of considering the quality of the food. It was a tiny thing, but it really highlighted how ingrained this way of thinking is in German conversations. I felt a little silly, but also incredibly grateful for her patience.

Practicing the Comparatives and Superlatives

Okay, let’s try some practical phrases. I’ve started keeping a little notebook and writing down how I can describe healthy habits.

• “Ich trinke mehr Wasser als früher.” (I drink more water than before.)
• “Dieser Smoothie ist besser als der Saft.” (This smoothie is better than the juice.)
• “Ich esse weniger Fleisch, es ist gesünder.” (I eat less meat, it’s healthier.) – This one felt particularly tricky to say confidently!
• “Dieser Sport ist besser für meine Gesundheit!” (This sport is better for my health!).

Asking for Advice – and Navigating the Response

One of the biggest challenges is asking for advice. I’m so used to just asking a simple question, but the Germans seem to want a really detailed explanation.

I asked Luke for his advice on improving my sleep. I said, “Wie kann ich besser schlafen?”

He responded with a long explanation about light, noise, temperature, and a healthy evening routine. It was incredibly detailed, and honestly, a little overwhelming! I realised I needed to be more specific with my questions. Instead of just asking “Wie kann ich besser schlafen?” I could say, “Ich habe Probleme, die Nachtruhe zu halten. Gibt es eine Möglichkeit, die Schlafqualität zu verbessern?” (I have trouble keeping the night calm. Is there a way to improve the sleep quality?)

My Ongoing Learning Journey

Honestly, I still make mistakes. I still instinctively say “mehr” when I should be saying “besser”. But I’m getting better. I’m learning to listen carefully to how Germans express themselves, and I’m practicing using the comparative and superlative forms in my own conversations. It’s slow going, and sometimes frustrating, but I know that mastering these simple grammar points is key to truly connecting with people and sharing my experiences about my health – and my struggles – in Germany. Weiter geht’s! (Let’s keep going!)