"Bad" is not bad at all!


This article serves only one purpose ... to correct a very common misunderstanding between the English and the German language, i.e. "Bad" is not bad at all.
Funny, isn't it?
As we were all taught at school, the worst thing you can do is to translate literally from one language to another. That's exactly what the misunderstanding on the German substantive "Bad" is about.
The literal translation, that the German substantive "Bad" is a synonym of the English adjective "bad", does not work at all, because the German "Bad" describes a high privilege bestowed upon a city, whereas the English adjective "bad" merely is a synonym for "awful", "terrible" etc.
So let me ask you, dear reader of this article, where would you like to spend the most precious weeks of the year, where would you like to spend your holiday: in a bad hotel or in an hotel in a German "Bad"? The second of which is much better, believe me.
Ah, I see you frowning for astonishment. Don't worry, here's the simple explanation. The correct translation of the German "Bad" is "health resort": climatic health resort, mountain health resort, high altitude health resort, summer or winter health resort.
By the way, do know a health resort in the very south of Germany, in Bavaria, which offers all of the above mentioned conveniences throughout the seasons of the year in spring, summer, autumn and winter?
Guess, which one is the perfect place to go to in Bavaria? I hear you say: Munich. Alright, it's worth while visiting, but too crowded. Thus, that's the answer - we're talking about the cosy health resort of Fussen - Bad Faulenbach. And I'm sure now, you won't mix up again the different meanings of "Bad" and bad ;-)
Perhaps, one time we'll meet there in the health resort "Bad Faulenbach" in Bavaria, you spend a marvellous holiday in a nice self-catering apartment, enjoy the beautiful surroundings, do a bit of sihtseeing, play golf and, of course, how could I forget, as an absolute must you have to vist Neuschwanstein castle.
Again to underline that "Bad" is not bad at all: Neuschwanstein castle is only 5 kilometers away from the health resort "Bad Faulenbach". Not too bad, or what's your opinion now about "Bad" and bad?
2008-23-07, Vacation Rental House Einsle, Fussen - Bad Faulenbach
P.S.: You, dear reader, as a native speaker of the English language, you can do me a great favour and draw my attention to any linguistic errrors I might have committed in this article. Your criticism is highly appreciated!
Siegfried
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