Germany is a country with a rich history and culture. It has produced some of the world’s greatest philosophers, scientists, artists and thinkers. But how much do you really know about Germany? Here are 43 riddles about this fascinating country for you to solve.
Riddles about German Cities
Let’s start off with some riddles about famous German cities:
Riddle 1
I’m a city split in two during the Cold War era. People tried escaping me by climbing over a large concrete wall. What city am I?
Answer: Berlin
Riddle 2
I’m one of Germany’s largest and most financially important cities. I’m home to Europe’s busiest airport and host one of the world’s largest trade fairs. What city am I?
Answer: Frankfurt
Riddle 3
I’m a Bavarian city famous for my annual Oktoberfest celebration and beer halls. Millions come to visit me every year to experience German beer culture. What city am I?
Answer: Munich
Riddles about German Culture
How well do you know German culture? Try these riddles to find out:
Riddle 4
Germans are known for making very precise and complex versions of me. Companies like Mercedes, BMW and Volkswagen use me as their iconic symbol. What am I?
Answer: Cars/automobiles
Riddle 5
I’m a type of sausage that is a beloved part of German cuisine. In Germany there are thousands of regional variations of me, all with distinct ingredients and seasoning. What am I?
Answer: Bratwurst/German sausage
Riddle 6
Germans commonly celebrate me at the end of November or early December. I’m a festival focused on Christmas markets, mulled wine, sweet treats and ornate decorations. What holiday celebration am I?
Answer: Christkindlmarkt (Christmas market)
Riddles about Famous Germans
Here are some riddles about groundbreaking Germans throughout history:
Riddle 7
I challenged the Catholic Church by starting a religious reformation movement in Germany in 1517. My list of grievances against the Church became known as my 95 Theses. Who am I?
Answer: Martin Luther
Riddle 8
I’m one of history’s greatest composers and wrote symphonies during the Viennese Classical period. Some of my most famous works are “Eine kleine Nachtmusik” and “The Magic Flute.” Who am I?
Answer: Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Riddle 9
I developed the principles of modern physics. I’m most famous for my theory of relativity and the world’s most famous equation: E = mc2. Who am I?
Answer: Albert Einstein
Riddles about German Inventions
From cars to computers, Germans have invented some very important technologies. Can you guess what they are from these riddles?
Riddle 10
German inventor Konrad Zuse created the first programmable version of me in 1941. I’m now used in everything from smartphones to spacecraft. What am I?
Answer: Computer
Riddle 11
German printer Johannes Gutenberg introduced a revolutionary version of me to Europe in the mid-1400s. I allowed books and other texts to be mass produced for the first time. What am I?
Answer: Movable type printing press
Riddle 12
German Karl Benz patented the first gasoline-powered version of me in 1886. Henry Ford made me available to the mass market. What am I?
Answer: Automobile/car
More Riddles about Germany
Think you really know Germany? Here are some more challenging riddles:
Riddle 13
I’m a German word that describes a profound spiritual experience brought on by natural beauty. What word am I?
Answer: Wanderlust
Riddle 14
Bavarians often wear me on their heads. I have a decorative feather and am worn with traditional lederhosen. What hat am I?
Answer: Alpine hat
Riddle 15
I’m a green, bitter-tasting spirit flavored with herbs that is considered the national liquor of Germany. What traditional German drink am I?
Answer: Jägermeister
Riddle 16
German luxury brand Montblanc makes some of the world’s finest fountain pens inspired by me. Astronomer Johannes Kepler wrote one of the first stories featuring me. Who/what am I?
Answer: A snowflake
Riddle 17
I’m a dense, dark German bread made with rye flour. I’m a popular breakfast food often eaten with cheese, cold cuts and jam. What type of bread am I?
Answer: Pumpernickel
Riddle 18
Bavarian motor works, better known by my initials, is one of Germany’s most iconic car brands. What company am I?
Answer: BMW
Riddle 19
German chemist Felix Hoffmann created me while working for pharmaceutical company Bayer in 1897. I’m one of the world’s most widely used pain relievers. What medicine am I?
Answer: Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)
Riddle 20
German electrical engineer Werner von Siemens pioneered technologies related to me in the mid 1800s. Thomas Edison later commercialized me. What invention am I?
Answer: Electric light bulb
Riddle 21
German optician Carl Zeiss pioneered processes for making precision versions of me in the 1840s. What optical devices am I?
Answer: Eyeglasses/lenses
Riddle 22
I’m of one Germany’s most iconic sporting goods brands known for innovative footwear. Brothers Adolf and Rudolf Dassler founded me in their mother’s laundry room in the 1920s. What company am I?
Answer: Adidas
Riddle 23
German inventor Otto Lilienthal designed an early version of me in the 1890s. The Wright Brothers later used my design principles to create the first successful airplane. What type of flying machine am I?
Answer: Glider/hang glider
Riddle 24
German mathematician Gottfried Leibniz shares credit with Englishman Isaac Newton for inventing me in the 1600s. Engineers, scientists and mathematicians rely on me every day. What enormously helpful mathematical tool am I?
Answer: Calculus
Riddles about German Geography
Let’s switch gears to some geographic riddles about Germany:
Riddle 25
I’m Germany’s highest mountain, located along the Austrian border. Can you name me?
Answer: Zugspitze
Riddle 26
I’m Germany’s largest natural lake situated near the Alps in southern Germany. Who am I?
Answer: Lake Constance (Bodensee)
Riddle 27
Germany has no active ones, but I’m a volcanic mountain range running through central Germany. Who am I?
Answer: The Eifel
Riddle 28
I’m Germany’s longest river, flowing from Switzerland all the way to the North Sea. Name me if you can!
Answer: Rhine River
Riddle 29
I’m a famous Gothic cathedral located in Cologne on the Rhine River banks. I’m one of Germany’s most popular tourist attractions. What cathedral am I?
Answer: Cologne Cathedral
Riddles about German History
How’s your knowledge of German history? These riddles will test you:
Riddle 30
The first Germanic tribes originated from my Scandinavian peninsula region before migrating south. What ancient land am I?
Answer: Jutland
Riddle 31
I’m a famous German leader who ruled the Holy Roman Empire in the 16th century. I was crowned emperor in 1530 and helped shape the religious landscape through my tolerance of Lutherans in the empire. Who am I?
Answer: Charles V
Riddle 32
Bismarck was my “Iron Chancellor” who led Prussia’s rise to power by unifying Germany in 1871 after the Franco-Prussian War. What new German empire did he help establish?
Answer: German Empire
Riddle 33
I’m a famous German monk who sparked the Protestant Reformation by publishing writings that criticized Catholic church practices like indulgences. My list of 95 grievances became known as my “95 Theses.” Who am I?
Answer: Martin Luther
More Challenging Riddles
Think you know a ton about Germany? Try solving these very challenging riddles:
Riddle 34
The earliest known Germanic language derived from me in northern Europe during Roman times. I’m considered the proto-language from which modern German developed over thousands of years. What dead language am I?
Answer: Proto-Germanic
Riddle 35
I was Germany’s first female chancellor serving from 2005 to 2021. I grew up in former East Germany and entered politics just before the fall of the Berlin Wall. Who am I?
Answer: Angela Merkel
Riddle 36
Charlemagne conquered my Germanic tribal people in the late 700s AD, incorporating our lands into his vast Frankish Empire. Who were we?
Answer: Saxons
Riddle 37
I’m the German secret state police established by Hitler’s Nazi party to serve his dictatorship. We ruthlessly suppressed Hitler’s opponents in Nazi Germany. What government organization was I?
Answer: Gestapo
Riddle 38
I was an early Prussian king who laid the foundations of Prussia’s military and autocratic political culture that prevailed until Germany’s defeat in WW2. Frederick the Great considered himself my disciple. Who was I?
Answer: Frederick William I
Riddle 39
I was a Roman fortified frontier constructed in the 100s AD to defend the empire’s lands from Germanic tribes like the Goths. Parts of me still exist today in modern Germany. What defense system am I?
Answer: Limes Germanicus
Riddle 40
My 1939 non-aggression pact between Germany and the USSR stunned the world and preceded Germany’s invasion of Poland in WW2. Germany and the Soviet Union’s foreign ministers signs me. What agreement am I?
Answer: The Molotov–Ribbentrop Pact
Riddles for German Language Learners
If you’re learning German, solving these language riddles can help grow your skills:
Riddle 41
I’m a common German term of endearment you might call your loved one. Some English speakers associate me with fairy tale characters! What sweet name am I?
Answer: Liebling (“darling” or “sweetheart”)
Riddle 42
Germans have a word specifically for the anguish felt watching someone embarrass themselves publicly. It’s a mix of sadness and shame. What feeling do I describe?
Answer: Fremdschämen (“vicarious embarrassment”)
Riddle 43
If a German asks “Wie gehts?” they’re probably just casually asking this simple question. How would you reply?
Answer: How are you? (“Wie geht’s?” is German for “How are you?”)
Conclusion
How did you do with these riddles? I hope learning more about German culture, history and language through these puzzles was both educational and entertaining. Germany has made so many important contributions to the world over history.
Be sure to test your Germany knowledge and riddle-solving skills by sharing these brainteasers with your friends and family!
