As a junior developer working with multiple programming languages, you might find yourself jumping between LANGUAGES! This can be exciting but also a bit confusing, especially when it comes to understanding the various symbols used in code.
For those who are bilingual in German and English, this post is here to help. Below, you'll find a comprehensive table that matches up the most important programming symbols with their German equivalents. This resource is particularly handy if you're working with German documentation or communicating with a German-speaking team.
The Table: Essential Programming Symbols in German and English
| German | English | Symbol | Usage in Programming |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gleichheitszeichen | Equals sign | = | Assignment of values, comparison in JavaScript (==) |
| Doppelgleichheitszeichen | Double equals | == | Comparison operator in JavaScript (non-strict) |
| Dreifachgleichheitszeichen | Triple equals | === | Strict comparison in JavaScript/TypeScript |
| Ungleichheitszeichen | Not equal sign | != | Non-strict inequality operator |
| Striktes Ungleichheitszeichen | Strict not equal | !== | Strict inequality in JavaScript/TypeScript |
| Größer als | Greater than | > | Greater than comparison operator |
| Kleiner als | Less than | < | Less than comparison operator |
| Größer gleich | Greater than or equal to | >= | Greater than or equal to comparison |
| Kleiner gleich | Less than or equal to | <= | Less than or equal to comparison |
| Pluszeichen | Plus sign | + | Addition, string concatenation |
| Minuszeichen | Minus sign | - | Subtraction, negation |
| Malzeichen | Asterisk/Multiplication sign | * | Multiplication |
| Divisionszeichen | Slash | / | Division |
| Modulozeichen | Modulus/Percent sign | % | Modulo operation (remainder) |
| Und-Operator | Logical AND | && | Logical AND operator |
| Nicht-Operator | Logical NOT | ! | Logical NOT operator |
| Inkrement | Increment | ++ | Increments the value of a variable by 1 |
| Dekrement | Decrement | -- | Decrements the value of a variable by 1 |
| Pfeilfunktion | Arrow function | => | Defines an arrow function in JavaScript/TypeScript |
| Punkt | Dot/Period | . | Access object methods/properties |
| Doppelpunkt-notation | Colon notation | :: | Method reference in Java, accessing props in React |
| Doppelpunkt | Double colon | :: | Method reference in Java |
| Fragezeichen-Punkt-Operator | Optional chaining | ?. | Safely access nested objects without errors if undefined |
| Geschweifte Klammern | Curly braces | {} | Block definition, object literals, JSX elements in React |
| Eckige Klammern | Square brackets | [] | Array declarations, accessing array elements |
| Runde Klammern | Parentheses | () | Function calls, grouping |
| Backticks | Backticks | ` | Template literals for strings in JavaScript |
| Tilde | Tilde | ~ | Bitwise NOT |
| Doppelte Backslash | Double backslash | \\ | Escape sequences in strings |
| Schrägstrich | Forward slash | / | Paths, division, regular expressions |
| Doppelschrägstrich | Double slash | // | Single-line comments in JavaScript, Java, TypeScript |
| Blockkommentar | Block comment | /* */ | Block comments in JavaScript, Java, TypeScript |
| Dollarzeichen | Dollar sign | $ | Placeholder in template literals, referencing in jQuery |
| Fragezeichen | Question mark | ? | Ternary operator, optional types in TypeScript |
| Doppelpfeil | Double arrow | => | Arrow functions in JavaScript/TypeScript |
| Doppeltes Und | Double ampersand | && | Logical AND, short-circuit evaluation |
| Verknüpfungspunkt | Dot/Chain operator | . | Chains properties or methods |
| Instanceof Operator | Instanceof Operator | instanceof | Checks if an object is of a specific type |
Why This Table Matters
Switching between languages while coding can be tricky. Sometimes, you might know the symbol's function, but its name in another language escapes you. This table helps bridge that gap, making it easier for you to communicate effectively in a bilingual environment. Whether you're reading code comments in German or explaining something to a colleague in English, this table has got you covered.
Understanding these symbols in both languages not only enhances your coding fluency but also helps you adapt to international teams and projects more efficiently.
Feel free to add more in the comment section and bookmark this page :)
Happy coding, and don't let language barriers hold you back!
Top comments (6)
This is very cool! What about
Instanceof Operator?Ähmmm, vllt Instanz-von-Operator ?? 🫣
It's usually "Doppelpunkt" without the "e" at the end (in both cases). Also, it's "Doppeltes UND".
Edited. thx!
I had skipped my daily German study, does this count as such? :D Cool article btw
Great stuff, go deeper!