ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Wörter und Sachen

Wörter und Sachen is a German phrase that means "words and things." It refers to the idea that language is used to describe and talk about the objects, people, and ideas that make up our world.

Imagine that you are a small child and you are looking around your room. You see your bed, your toys, your clothes, and your books. These are all things that you can see, touch, and feel. But when you talk about them with your parents or friends, you use words to describe them. You might say, "This is my bed" or "I love playing with my toy truck."

The words that you use are like little labels for the things in your world. They help you communicate with others and understand the world around you. For example, if you see a red ball, you can use the word "ball" to describe what you see. Now, if you were to see another red ball somewhere else, you would recognize it because you know what a ball is supposed to look like.

Wörter und Sachen is important because it shows how language is necessary for us to make sense of the world. Without words, we would not be able to describe the things that we see and experience. We would not be able to communicate with others, share ideas, or learn new things. So, remember to pay attention to the words you use and the things you see, because they are both important parts of understanding the world around you.