Exploring German slang isn’t just about learning new words; it’s vital to understanding the culture. When you use the everyday language that locals speak, you bridge the gap between formal textbook German and the natural, lively language of the streets.
This makes your conversations flow better and feel more natural. Plus, when you get the hang of slang, you show that you speak the language and value and respect the culture it comes from.
125 German Slang Words and Phrases
| German Slang | English Translation |
| Alter! | Dude! |
| Auf jeden Fall | Definitely |
| Bock haben | To be up for something |
| Chillen | To chill/relax |
| Krass | Awesome/cool/crazy |
| Geil | Cool/awesome/hot |
| Hammer | Amazing |
| Abhängen | To hang out |
| Abkacken | To fail miserably |
| Quatsch | Nonsense |
| Saftladen | Dump/terrible place |
| Voll | Totally/completely |
| Zocken | To play video games |
| Bescheuert | Crazy/stupid |
| Kohle | Money |
| Miese | Bad/awful |
| Glotze | TV |
| Pleite | Broke |
| Sack | Jerk |
| Besoffen | Drunk |
| Verarschen | To mess with someone |
| Kumpel | Buddy |
| Alter Schwede | Holy cow! |
| Schnauze | Mouth/snout |
| Tussi | Bimbo |
| Mega | Very/extremely |
| Spitze | Great |
| Schweinegeil | Super cool |
| Mucke | Music |
| Kiffen | To smoke weed |
| Bulle | Cop |
| Labern | To chat/rant |
| Penner | Bum/homeless person |
| Spasti | Moron/idiot |
| Zoff | Trouble |
| Drückeberger | Slacker |
| Latschen | To walk/saunter |
| Brötchen | Rolls |
| Fresskoma | Food coma |
| Heftig | Intense |
| Knaller | Banger |
| Klugscheißer | Smartass |
| Nörgeln | To whine/nag |
| Puff | Brothel |
| Sau | Sow (insult) |
| Schlitzohr | Rascal |
| Spacko | Fool |
| Strunze | Show-off |
| Trottel | Idiot |
| Tütenhusten | Cough from smoking weed |
| Versifft | Grimy |
| Verknallt | Infatuated |
| Wattebausch | Cotton ball (soft person) |
| Abklatschen | To high-five |
| Affig | Silly |
| Asi | Trashy |
| Backpfeifengesicht | Face in need of a punch |
| Bedeppert | Foolish |
| Blagen | Kids (negative connotation) |
| Blöde Ziege | Silly goat |
| Brettern | To speed |
| Dösig | Drowsy |
| Drecksack | Dirtbag |
| Dussel | Clumsy person |
| Eitel Tüdelü | All fluff |
| Ekelhaft | Disgusting |
| Feixen | To smirk |
| Fix und fertig | Completely exhausted |
| Flitzenpiepe | Crazy person |
| Fopperei | Practical joke |
| Gedöns | Stuff |
| Gekniffen | Chicken |
| Gelaber | Gibberish |
| Gestört | Disturbed |
| Hacke dicht | Hammered |
| Haffern | To snicker |
| Hampelmann | Clown |
| Hauen | To hit |
| Honk | Idiot |
| Knutschen | To smooch |
| Kokolores | Nonsense |
| Krachen lassen | To party hard |
| Krawall | Commotion |
| Krimskrams | Odds and ends |
| Lästermaul | Gossip |
| Macke | Quirk |
| Motzen | To complain |
| Muckibude | Gym |
| Muffelig | Grumpy |
| Mumpitz | Baloney |
| Naseweis | Smart aleck |
| Nervig | Annoying |
| Pfuscher | Bungler |
| Piepen | Money |
| Plappermaul | Blabbermouth |
| Pöbeln | To bicker |
| Prügel | Beating |
| Quasseln | To babble |
| Quatschkopf | Blabbermouth |
| Querkopf | Contrarian |
| Quetschen | To squeeze |
| Ranzig | Rancid |
| Reibach | Profit |
| Reißaus nehmen | To flee |
| Rotzfrech | Bratty |
| Saufkopf | Boozer |
| Schnorrer | Moocher |
| Schwafeln | To drivel |
| Schwamm drüber | Forget about it |
| Schnösel | Prig |
| Schnuppen | To sniff |
| Schussel | Scatterbrain |
| Schwerenöter | Lady’s man |
| Schwung | Momentum |
| Simpel | Simpleton |
| Stulle | Sandwich |
| Stuss | Rubbish |
| Tacheles reden | To talk straight |
| Tattergreis | Old geezer |
| Trödel | Junk |
| Übergeschnappt | Nuts |
| Umhauen | To knock out |
| Unfug | Mischief |
| Verpeilt | Spaced out |
| Wahnsinn | Insane |
| Warmduscher | Wimpy |
| Wichtigtuer | Busybody |
| Wurschtigkeit | Nonchalance |
| Zackig | Snappy |
| Zappelig | Fidgety |
| Zerstreut | Distracted |
| Zipfelklatscher | Fool |
| Zoffen | To bicker |
| Zocken | To gamble |
| Zuckerbrot und Peitsche | Carrot and stick |
| Zündstoff | Explosive material |
| Zwitschern | To tweet (bird) |
| Zwiegespalten | Torn |
Conclusion
In conclusion, learning German slang is useful. It helps with language skills, gives you a real feel for the culture, and helps you connect better with people. When you use everyday expressions, you start to speak like a local and understand the subtleties of German. This makes social situations more straightforward to navigate and enhances your cultural experience. Plus, using slang makes learning German more fun and exciting, motivating you to keep improving.
