Well SCHADE means "shame". But as I've learned today, although English-speakers say "it's a shame", your Germans will just say "Es ist schade", as opposed to "Es ist eine Schade". Which is a shame really as it would be a lot easier not to make that dopey mistake.

I'm also remined of a country road outside Munich near where Katja grew up that's fairly anonymous apart from one thing. Incredibly for Germany, which has a reputation for road surfaces that are as silky smooth as a brand new billiard table, this particular road is rutted, potted and basically a bit shit. But being the efficient Germans they are, a sign has been installed alongside the road, warning drivers of STRASSENSCHÄDEN or "street imperfections". The sign has been up for years, which surprises me as normally the country jumps into action over even a nano-sized dent in a road.

And related to SCHADE is of course the internationally known and loved word SCHADENFREUDE or the joy in someone's else misfortunes. What a shame there's no direct equivalent in English.