Search results
Discover a vast array of fascinating German slang - including some words, phrases, expressions and idioms that you've probably never heard before.
Explore 64 German slang words, slang phrases, and expressions to sound like a native speaker. Use popular German slang in your conversations.
Mar 22, 2023 · In this post, we’ll explore some of the most common German slang words and expressions along with their meanings and examples of how they are used. Alter – Dude/Bro Example: Was geht, Alter? (What’s up, dude?) Krass – Cool/Awesome Example: Das ist echt krass! (That’s really cool!)
- The 14 Most Common German Slang Words
- 50 More German Slang Words
- 17 Common German Slang Expressions You Should Know
- 14 German Text Slang to Say “Ttyl” to Your German-Speaking Friends
1. Na?
Na?might be the shortest way of asking about someone’s wellbeing in any language. It’s a way to say “Hello” and “How are you doing?” at the same time. There’s even a special intonation to it. To be a bit clearer about what you mean, you can combine Na? with other forms of greeting like Na, alles gut? (Well, is everything good?), Na, wie gehts? (Hey, how are you?) or Na, was geht ab? (So, what’s going on?). The best part is that Na? also serves as a reply to itself. Na? – Naaa?is a complete co...
2. chillen
The German verb chillencomes from the English “to chill.” It basically has the same meaning: to hang out, rest and generally take it easy. The word also has an adjective form, chillig , which is mostly used to describe a laidback atmosphere or relaxing surroundings while having a chill night. Interestingly, in German, you often chill in rounds. Eine Runde chillen is an important part of the weekend activities for many younger Germans. Rhea:Wir wollen an den See fahren und eine Runde chillen....
3.Tschüß!
This one means “goodbye,” whether it’s on the phone or in person. You’ll hear it so much that you’d be surprised at just how often it replaces the proper goodbye, Auf Wiedersehen , in daily life. A friend who was visiting me from the States pointed out that when we say Tschüß,we raise the tone of our voices a full octave. There’s even a bit of a singsong melody when you say it. Variants include tschü, tschü-tschü and tschüßi (the i is a common, cutesy diminutive used for all sorts of things)....
You’re bound to encounter these words and expressions while traveling around Germany, speaking with language exchange partners or navigating German etiquette and customs. You’re also sure to run into many of these slang expressions on FluentU.
1. auf dicke Hose machen
Literally, this phrase means, “To act as if you have fat pants.” It’s used to describe someone who is bragging or generally pretending to be better than they really are, especially when it comes to possessing money or wealth. The idea is that your pants get wider due to an abundance of money in your pockets. It’s worth noting that auf dicke Hose machen is frequently used in combination with the accusative in the phrase einen auf dicke Hose machen . However, it’s just as well to use it without...
2. gebongt sein
In German, a Bon (pronounced “bong”) is the receipt you get after making a purchase. Therefore, in common parlance, the verb bongen refers to ringing something up on a register (literally putting something onto a Bon), thereby settling the transaction. If something is gebongt , it means it’s booked, decided or agreed upon. In almost all cases, this phrase is used in the form of ist gebongt to signify that a matter is settled or that you’ve come to an agreement. Peter:Treffen wir uns morgen um...
3. Was geht ab?
Was geht ab? is the German equivalent of “What’s up?” or “What’s happening?” It’s used as a greeting and to inquire about the other person’s well-being in a very informal way. If you’re a teenager, you might also be able to pull off the even shorter Was geht? Anyone nearing thirty should stay away from it, though. Keep in mind that this is a very casual expression. If you can’t pull off “What’s up?” in English, you should probably stay away from the German equivalent as well. The phrase can a...
German isn’t known for its short words. So it’s no surprise that text slang shortens a lot of the language’s most commonly used written words. Here are a few must-know slang terms to learn if you’re planning to communicate with any German speaker via text!
Apr 25, 2023 · In this article, we’ll explore popular German slang words, their meanings, and how to use them in everyday conversations. Plus, don’t miss out on our free ’10 Essential German Slang Phrases You Need to Know’ booklet, which you can receive via email to further enhance your German language skills!
The word sau means “pig” in German. Adding sau to the beginning of a word is like adding “really,” or “so,” in English. Example: Der Kuchen ist saulecker! (The cake is so delicious!) #13 Quatsch. Quatsch is a way of saying, “nonsense.” Example: Was erzählt er mir für einen Quatsch? (What kind of nonsense is he telling me ...
People also ask
What are German slang words and expressions?
What is a German slang guide?
What do German idioms tell you about a language?
What are some Secret Slang words from Switzerland?
What facial expressions do Germans have?
Aug 11, 2023 · By sprinkling words from the German umgangsprache into your daily conversations, you can bring your sentences to life and display emotions you won’t find in German textbooks. Today I want to show you 20 common German slang words, and how to use them, so you can begin to sound more like a native today!
