Bavarian Words You Have To Know for Oktoberfest

SPONSORED — Oktoberfest is perhaps the most German thing about Germany. It’s so closely associated with German culture that thousands of cities across the world celebrate with their own Oktoberfest-themed parties, events and festivals. But nothing beats the original.

Here’s the thing about Oktoberfest, though. While it’s very much “German,” it’s actually not. The Wiesen (as it’s locally called—after the filed it takes place in) is distinctly Bavarian. While other cities across Germany celebrate the beer harvest each September and October, nothing compares to the Munich celebration. And even all the other cities’ Oktoberfest celebrations are all modeled after the original from Munich.

And in Munich, the language may be officially German, but it’s actually Bavarian—a distinct regional dialect that’s surprisingly different than the High German that’s most recognizable and widespread. In Berlin, I’ve learned High German using a…