German expressions
Idioms, set phrases and collocations - what they mean and where they come from.
1040 expressions
- ab und zunow and then / occasionally
- abcheckento check out, size up (a place, a person, a situation)
- abgefucktmessed up, run-down, wrecked (crude; of places, moods or people)
- abhängento hang out, chill, do nothing (with friends)
- abhauento clear off, run away (informal, not rude)
- Abhilfe schaffento remedy the situation / to provide relief
- Abstand gewinnento gain distance / to step back
- Abstand nehmen vonto refrain from / to distance oneself from
- abzockento rip off, fleece someone
- Akhi'my brother' - a close friend who is 'like a brother'
- alle Brücken hinter sich abbrechento burn all one's bridges
- alle Hände voll zu tun habento have one's hands full; to be very busy
- allemalany day / by far / certainly
- aller guten Dinge sind dreiall good things come in threes; third time's the charm
- alles für bare Münze nehmento take everything at face value; to believe naively as literally true
- alles in Buttereverything's fine; all good
- alles klarall good / got it
- Almanstereotypical (über-)German person; spießig, rule-obsessed (ironic, often self-mocking)
- Alterdude!, man! (exclamation of surprise/shock; also a peer address)
- Aluhut'tinfoil hat' - derogatory label for a conspiracy theorist
- am Wochenendeon the weekend
- anbaggernto hit on someone (informal, slightly crude)
- Anerkennung zollento pay tribute to / to acknowledge with respect
- angesichtsin view of / given (formal)
- Angst haben vorto be afraid of
- Anklang findento meet with approval / to go down well
- Anstoß nehmen anto take offence at / to take exception to
- Anwendung findento be applied / to find application
- Aschemoney, cash (colloquial; lit. 'ash', synonym of 'Kohle')
- Atzebuddy, mate / 'bro' (friendly Berlin-area address; also 'big brother')
- auf Anhiebstraight away / at the first attempt
- auf dem Holzweg seinto be barking up the wrong tree / to be mistaken
- auf dem Laufenden bleibento stay up to date
- auf dem Laufenden seinto be up to date / informed
- auf dem Schlauch stehento be stumped; to not get it for a moment
- auf den Busch klopfento sound out / to fish for information
- auf den ersten Blickat first glance / at first sight
- auf den Leim gehento fall for it; to be taken in
- auf den neuesten Stand bringento bring up to date / to update
- auf den Plan rufento bring onto the scene / to provoke (a response)
- auf den Punkt bringento get to the point / to sum up precisely
- auf der Hand liegento be obvious / to be self-evident
- auf der Kippe stehento hang in the balance / to be touch and go
- auf die lange Bank schiebento put off / to keep postponing
- auf die Probe stellento put to the test
- auf eigene Fauston one's own / off one's own bat
- auf einmalall of a sudden / at once
- auf jedendefinitely (short for „auf jeden Fall“)
- auf jeden Falldefinitely / in any case
- auf jemanden stehento fancy someone, be into someone
- auf keinen Fallno way / under no circumstances
- Auf Lockeasy / no problem; relaxed, casually (short for 'auf locker')
- auf meinen Nackenmy treat; I'll pay / I've got it (lit. 'on my neck')
- auf Sand gebaut seinto be built on sand / to rest on shaky ground
- auf Wiedersehengoodbye (formal)
- Aufmerksamkeit schenkento pay attention to / to give attention
- Aufschluss geben überto shed light on / to provide information about
- Aufsehen erregento cause a stir / to attract attention
- Auracharisma/vibe scored in points; cool acts earn '+1000 Aura', cringe loses it
- aus allen Wolken fallento be utterly astonished / thunderstruck
- aus dem Nähkästchen plaudernto reveal private/intimate details; to let others in on inside stories
- aus diesem Grundfor this reason
- aus einer Mücke einen Elefanten machento make a mountain out of a molehill; to greatly exaggerate something trivial
- aus meiner Sichtfrom my point of view
- Ausdruck verleihento give expression to
- ausrastento lose it, flip out
- außer Acht lassento disregard / to leave out of account
- außer Frage stehento be beyond question
- bababye (Austria, informal) - often as „Bussi, baba“
- Baboboss, leader, chief
- Bahnhofskinoa wild/lurid spectacle; a chaotic scene (jocular; lit. 'station cinema')
- basedbased; admirably true to oneself, unbothered by others' opinions (approving internet slang)
- Bauklötze staunento be utterly amazed; to gawp in astonishment
- Beachtung schenkento pay attention to / to heed
- Bedenken äußernto voice concerns / to express reservations
- bei Licht(e) betrachteton closer inspection / when you really look at it
- beileibe nichtby no means / certainly not
- Berücksichtigung findento be taken into account
- Bescheid gebento give (someone) word / inform
- Bescheid sagento let (someone) know
- Bescheid wissento be informed / to know about something
- Bestand habento endure / to last
- Bezug nehmen aufto refer to
- Bilanz ziehento take stock / to draw a balance
- bis baldsee you soon
- bitte schönhere you are / you're welcome
- blau seinto be drunk, plastered, smashed
- blauäugig seinto be naive, starry-eyed or credulous
- blaumachento skip work or school; to play hooky, take an unexcused day off
- blechento fork out, pay reluctantly
- Bock habento be up for something; 'keinen Bock' = not in the mood / can't be bothered
- bodenlosunbelievable, outrageous, beyond the pale (intensifier, usually negative; top-3 2022)
- Boomerboomer; an out-of-touch older person (mocking, from 'OK Boomer')
- Bratanbro, buddy, mate (friendly term of address)
- Bratwursta clumsy/useless person (jocular insult; lit. 'fried sausage')
- Brebro, man, mate (address for a friend)
- breit seinto be wasted (drunk or high; informal)
- Brobro; mate, buddy (friendly address; also wry third-person 'this guy')
- Bruhbro / ugh (interjection of disbelief, disappointment or secondhand embarrassment)
- cancelnto cancel; to publicly boycott/shun someone (anglicism, often loaded)
- Capcap; a lie / 'no cap' = no lie, for real (anglicism from US rap slang)
- checkento understand / get it (youth slang); colloquially also 'to check, verify'
- Checkst duyou get it?, you following? (filler to confirm the other person understands; top-3 2025)
- Chefboss - also as a friendly address to a stranger (at a kiosk, a taxi)
- chillento relax, chill, take it easy
- cringeembarrassing, cringeworthy; also secondhand embarrassment (Fremdscham)
- Çüşwhoa!, no way! (exclamation of astonishment or disgust; also spelled 'Tschüsch')
- da bin ich anderer MeinungI disagree / I have a different opinion
- da liegt der Hund begrabenthat's the crux of the matter; that's where the problem lies
- danke schönthank you very much
- das A und Othe essential thing; the be-all and end-all
- das Achterlan eighth of a litre of wine (Austria) - the standard glass
- das Beislsmall pub, tavern (Austria) - standard German: die Kneipe
- das Beuschellung-and-heart ragout (Austria) - a classic of Viennese cuisine
- das Blaue vom Himmel versprechento promise the moon; to make impossible promises
- das Büdchenkiosk (Rhineland) - Ruhr: die Bude/Trinkhalle, Berlin: der Späti
- das Bussikiss on the cheek (Austria, Bavaria) - standard German: das Küsschen
- das Bützchencarnival kiss on the cheek (Cologne)
- Das crazywow / huh, okay (often ironic filler phrase signalling polite, disengaged 'whatever')
- das Duvetduvet (Switzerland) - Germany: die Bettdecke, Austria: die Tuchent
- das Faschierteminced meat (Austria) - standard German: das Hackfleisch
- das FranzbrötchenHamburg's cinnamon pastry - flat, buttery, unknown elsewhere
- das Fremdschämensecond-hand embarrassment - a German word English had to borrow the concept of
- das fünfte Rad am Wagen seinto be a fifth wheel; to be superfluous
- das geht auf keine Kuhhautthat's beyond belief; that's outrageous
- das Geld zum Fenster hinauswerfento throw money out the window; to waste money
- das Gipfelicroissant (Switzerland) - Austria: das Kipferl, Germany: das Hörnchen
- das Glaceice cream (Switzerland) - standard German: das Eis
- das Grätzlneighbourhood, city quarter (Vienna) - Berlin: der Kiez
- das Gsälzjam (Swabia) - standard German: die Marmelade
- das Guetzlibiscuit, cookie (Switzerland) - standard German: der Keks, das Plätzchen
- das Handtuch werfento throw in the towel; to give up
- das Handymobile phone (Germany, Austria) - Switzerland: das Natel; not English 'handy'
- das Handy-Verbotnote: Switzerland says „Natel“ where Germany and Austria say „Handy“
- das Heft in der Hand haltento be in control / to hold the reins
- das heißtthat is to say / in other words
- das Hemd ist mir näher als der Rockone's own interests come first; charity begins at home
- das Hendlroast chicken (Bavaria, Austria) - standard German: das Hähnchen
- das ist mir egalI don't care / it's all the same to me
- das ist mir WurstI couldn't care less; it's all the same to me
- das ist nicht mein Bierthat's not my problem; that's none of my business
- das Kastlsmall cupboard, box (Austria, colloquial) - diminutive of Kasten
- das Kennzeichennumber plate (Austria, Germany) - Switzerland: das Kontrollschild
- das Kind beim Namen nennento call a spade a spade; to name things plainly
- das Kind mit dem Bade ausschüttento throw the baby out with the bathwater
- das Kipferlcrescent-shaped pastry (Austria) - the ancestor of the croissant
- das KölschCologne's beer - and the name of the local dialect
- das kommt darauf anthat depends
- das Kriegsbeil begrabento bury the hatchet; to make peace, end a quarrel
- das Krügerlhalf a litre of beer (Austria) - Germany: die Halbe, Bavaria also: die Maß (a litre)
- das macht nichtsthat doesn't matter / no worries
- das Memememe - pronounced „mihm“ in German
- das Müeslimuesli (Switzerland) - the Swiss spelling of the German „Müsli“
- das Muggeseggelea tiny amount (Swabia) - the smallest Swabian unit of measurement
- das Nastuchhandkerchief (Switzerland) - standard German: das Taschentuch
- das Natelmobile phone (Switzerland) - standard German: das Handy
- das Nüsslisalat-Beispiellamb's lettuce is „Nüsslisalat“ (CH), „Feldsalat“ (DE), „Vogerlsalat“ (AT)
- das Oberscream (Austria) - standard German: die Sahne
- das Perronrailway platform (Switzerland) - standard German: der Bahnsteig
- das Pferd von hinten aufzäumento go about something the wrong way; to start at the wrong end
- das Pickerlsticker; specifically the annual roadworthiness badge (Austria)
- das Portemonnaiewallet, purse (Switzerland, also Germany) - Austria: die Geldtasche/Brieftasche
- das Postautothe yellow Swiss coach service - public transport into every valley
- das Pouletchicken (as meat; Switzerland) - standard German: das Hähnchen
- das Radlerbeer with lemonade - north: Alsterwasser, Berlin: Berliner Weisse is something else
- das Retourbillettreturn ticket (Switzerland) - standard German: die Rückfahrkarte
- das Rüeblicarrot (Switzerland) - standard German: die Karotte, die Möhre
- das Rundstückbread roll (Hamburg) - standard German: das Brötchen
- das Rüstmesserparing knife (Switzerland) - from „rüsten“, to prepare vegetables
- das Sackerl(small) bag (Austria) - standard German: die Tüte
- das Sackgeldpocket money (Switzerland) - standard German: das Taschengeld
- das Schäufeleroast pork shoulder (Franconia) - a different cut in Baden
- das Schietwetterfoul weather (northern Germany) - literally 'shit weather', but mild
- das Schlagoberswhipped cream (Austria) - standard German: die Schlagsahne
- das Schnäppchena bargain
- das schwarze Schaf seinto be the black sheep; the odd one out
- das Seidel0.3 litre glass of beer (Austria)
- das Spitalhospital (Austria, Switzerland) - Germany: das Krankenhaus
- das stimmt nichtthat's not true
- das Techtelmechtela fling, a dalliance (playful, slightly dated)
- das Trottoirpavement, sidewalk (Switzerland) - standard German: der Bürgersteig
- das Velobicycle (Switzerland) - standard German: das Fahrrad
- das Velo abschliessento lock the bike - Swiss spelling without ß, and „Velo“ instead of „Fahrrad“
- das Velofahrencycling (Switzerland) - Germany: Fahrradfahren, Austria: Radfahren
- das Vorzimmerhallway, entrance hall of a flat (Austria) - standard German: der Flur
- das Wasser mit Sprudelsparkling water - south: Sprudel, Hesse: Selters, north: Mineralwasser/Sprudelwasser
- das Weckerlsmall bread roll, bread stick (Austria)
- das Zeugstuff (neutral, extremely common)
- das Zmorgebreakfast (Switzerland) - standard German: das Frühstück
- das Znachtdinner, evening meal (Switzerland) - standard German: das Abendessen
- das Znünimid-morning snack (Switzerland) - literally 'at nine'
- das Znüni-Brotthe sandwich taken to school or work (Switzerland)
- das Znüni-Kafithe coffee with the morning snack - „Kafi“ is the Swiss spelling
- das Zuckerlsweet, candy (Austria) - Germany: das Bonbon, Switzerland: das Täfeli
- das Zünglein an der Waage seinto tip the scales / to be the decisive factor
- das Zvieriafternoon snack (Switzerland) - literally 'at four'
- dastehen wie der Ochs vorm Bergto stand there helplessly/cluelessly, not knowing what to do
- Deluludelulu; delightfully delusional, lost in wishful thinking (playful internet slang)
- den Anschein erweckento give the semblance / to create the appearance
- den Bock zum Gärtner machento set the fox to guard the henhouse
- den Boden bereitento prepare the ground / to set the stage
- den Braten riechento smell a rat / to see what's coming
- den Eindruck erweckento give the impression
- den Faden verlierento lose one's train of thought
- den Faden wieder aufnehmento pick up the thread again
- den Gürtel enger schnallento tighten one's belt; to economise and cut back
- den inneren Schweinehund überwindento overcome one's weaker self; to beat one's inner couch potato
- den Kopf hängen lassento lose heart; to be discouraged or despondent
- den Kopf hinhaltento take the blame/responsibility (often for someone else); to carry the can
- den Kopf in den Sand steckento bury one's head in the sand; to avoid reality
- den Kopf zerbrechento rack one's brains
- den Kürzeren ziehento come off worse / to draw the short straw
- den Löffel abgebento kick the bucket; to die
- den Mantel des Schweigens breiten überto draw a veil over
- den Nagel auf den Kopf treffento hit the nail on the head
- den Nerv treffento strike a chord / to touch a nerve
- den roten Faden verlierento lose the thread
- den Stier bei den Hörnern packento take the bull by the horns
- den Tatsachen ins Auge sehento face the facts
- den Teufel an die Wand malento imagine the worst / to tempt fate
- den Ton angebento call the tune / to set the tone
- den Überblick behaltento keep track / to stay on top of things
- den Überblick verlierento lose track / to lose the overview
- den Vogel abschießento outdo everyone (take the prize); also ironically, to do something spectacularly stupid
- den Weg ebnento pave the way
- deppertsilly, stupid (Austria, Bavaria) - standard German: blöd, dumm
- der Absackernightcap, the last drink of the evening
- der Abwartcaretaker, janitor (Switzerland) - standard German: der Hausmeister
- der Angebershow-off, braggart
- der Ankenbutter (Swiss German, traditional) - standard German: die Butter
- der Apfel fällt nicht weit vom Stammthe apple doesn't fall far from the tree (children resemble their parents)
- der Bangera banger, an outstanding track (music)
- der Beefbeef, an ongoing feud (English loan, from rap)
- der Bembelthe grey-blue stoneware jug for apple wine (Hesse)
- der blaue Briefan official warning letter - esp. a school notice of failing grades, or a dismissal notice
- der Bonzerich snob, fat cat (disparaging)
- der Broilerroast chicken (eastern Germany) - west: das Brathähnchen
- der Bubboy (south, Austria, Switzerland) - standard German: der Junge
- der Camionlorry, truck (Switzerland) - standard German: der Lastwagen
- der Cervelatthe Swiss national sausage - grilled at every barbecue
- der Coiffeurhairdresser (Switzerland) - standard German: der Friseur
- der Ebbelwoiapple wine (Hesse) - standard German: der Apfelwein
- der Eierkuchenpancake (east, north) - south: der Pfannkuchen; in Berlin „Pfannkuchen“ is a doughnut
- der Erdapfelpotato (Austria) - standard German: die Kartoffel
- der Erdapfelsalatpotato salad (Austria) - dressed with vinegar and stock, not mayonnaise
- der Estrichattic, loft (Switzerland) - in Germany „Estrich“ is a floor screed
- der Fahrschein / die Fahrkarte / das Billettticket - Germany: Fahrschein/Fahrkarte, Switzerland: Billett, Austria: Fahrschein
- der Faila fail, a blunder (English loan)
- der FaschingsdienstagShrove Tuesday (Austria, Bavaria) - Rhineland: Veilchendienstag/Fastnachtsdienstag
- der FeberFebruary (Austria, official usage) - standard German: der Februar
- der Feierabendthe end of the working day - a German concept with no English equivalent
- der Ferialjobholiday job (Austria) - standard German: der Ferienjob
- der Feudelfloor cloth (northern Germany) - standard German: der Wischlappen
- der frühe Vogel fängt den Wurmthe early bird catches the worm
- der Fuffia fifty (50-euro note; informal)
- der Gehsteigpavement (Austria) - Germany: der Bürgersteig, Switzerland: das Trottoir
- der Grantlergrumbler (Bavaria) - grumbling as a recognised character type
- der Greißlersmall corner shop (Austria) - largely disappeared, the word survives
- der Gspritztewine spritzer (Austria) - wine with sparkling water
- der Hacklermanual worker (Austria) - from „hackeln“, to graft
- der Hafenpot (Austria, regional) - as in „Häferl“, a mug; not only a harbour
- der Hausflurstairwell - north: Flur/Hausflur, south: Gang, Austria: Stiegenhaus
- der Heurigewine tavern serving the year's new wine (Austria) - also the wine itself
- der JännerJanuary (Austria) - standard German: der Januar
- der Jeckcarnival reveller, fool (Rhineland) - „jeck“ also means daft
- der Kaffee verkehrtcoffee with more milk than coffee (Austria) - one of many Viennese coffee names
- der Kantoncanton - Switzerland's 26 member states, the equivalent of a Bundesland
- der Karfiolcauliflower (Austria) - standard German: der Blumenkohl
- der Kastenwardrobe, cupboard (Austria) - standard German: der Schrank
- der Kehrichthousehold rubbish (Switzerland) - standard German: der Müll
- der Kiesmoney (informal) - literally 'gravel'
- der Kiezneighbourhood (Berlin, Hamburg) - Vienna: das Grätzl
- der Klassenvorstandform teacher (Austria) - standard German: der Klassenlehrer
- der Kollegemate, pal (as a form of address to a stranger; not only a work colleague)
- der Kondukteurtrain conductor (Switzerland) - standard German: der Schaffner / Zugbegleiter
- der Korba rejection - „einen Korb bekommen“ is to be turned down
- der Kramstuff, junk (dismissive)
- der Krapfendoughnut (Austria, Bavaria) - Berlin: Pfannkuchen, north: Berliner, Hesse: Kreppel
- der Krenhorseradish (Austria, Bavaria) - standard German: der Meerrettich
- der Kukuruzmaize, sweetcorn (Austria) - standard German: der Mais
- der Kumpelmate, buddy - from mining, where it meant a fellow miner
- der Landeshauptmannhead of an Austrian federal state - Germany: der Ministerpräsident
- der Leberkäsemeatloaf sold hot by the slice (Austria, Bavaria) - contains neither liver nor cheese
- der Lenkerdriver (Austria, official language) - standard German: der Fahrer
- der Lohnsalary (Switzerland) - Germany distinguishes Lohn (wages) from Gehalt (salary)
- der Meldezettelresidence registration form (Austria) - Germany: die Anmeldebestätigung
- der Metzgerbutcher (south and west) - north: der Schlachter, east: der Fleischer
- der Mistkübelrubbish bin (Austria) - Germany: der Mülleimer, Switzerland: der Kehrichteimer
- der Noobnoob, beginner (mildly mocking, gaming)
- der ObazdaBavarian cheese spread - camembert, butter, paprika, onion
- der Oberwaiter (Austria, traditional address) - „Herr Ober“ in a coffee house
- der Paradeisertomato (Austria) - standard German: die Tomate
- der Polsterpillow (Austria) - standard German: das Kissen
- der Pottthe Ruhr area (colloquial); also: pot, mug (northern Germany)
- der Powidlplum butter (Austria); also: „das ist mir powidl“ = I couldn't care less
- der Präsenzdienstcompulsory military service (Austria) - Germany suspended its own in 2011
- der Professorsecondary school teacher (Austria) - not only a university professor
- der Radiwhite radish (Bavaria) - standard German: der Rettich
- der Rahmcream (Switzerland, southern Germany) - standard German: die Sahne
- der Randebeetroot (Switzerland) - standard German: die Rote Bete
- der Rechner / der Computercomputer - „Rechner“ is the everyday German alternative, unusual in Austria/Switzerland
- der Reibekuchenpotato fritter - Rhineland: Reibekuchen, north/east: Kartoffelpuffer, Bavaria: Reiberdatschi
- der Rotkohlred cabbage - north: Rotkohl, south: Blaukraut, Austria: Rotkraut
- der Schlaumeiersmart alec (mocking but affectionate)
- der SchmähViennese charm, banter, also: a trick (Austria)
- der Schmarrnnonsense (Bavaria, Austria); also: Kaiserschmarrn, the shredded pancake
- der Schnorrerscrounger, someone always asking for things
- der Schuppena place, a joint (of a bar or club; informal) - literally 'shed'
- der Schwarmcrush (the person you have a crush on)
- der Semmelknödel / der Kloßdumpling - south: Knödel, north and Thuringia: Kloß
- der Sesselchair (Austria) - in Germany „Sessel“ is an armchair, and a plain chair is „Stuhl“
- der SonnabendSaturday (northern and eastern Germany) - standard German: der Samstag
- der Spätilate-night corner shop (Berlin) - from „Spätkauf“
- der Spinnernutcase, crank (mildly rude)
- der Staubzuckericing sugar (Austria) - standard German: der Puderzucker
- der Streberswot, over-eager student (mocking)
- der Sturmpartly fermented grape must, drunk in autumn (Austria)
- der Töffmotorbike (Switzerland, colloquial) - standard German: das Motorrad
- der Topfenquark, curd cheese (Austria) - standard German: der Quark
- der Vogerlsalatlamb's lettuce (Austria) - Germany: Feldsalat, Switzerland: Nüsslisalat
- der Weckbread roll (Baden, Palatinate, Franconia) - Swabia: das Weckle
- der Znüni-Haltthe mid-morning break at work (Switzerland)
- der Zofftrouble, a row (informal)
- der Zopfbraided bread (Switzerland) - the Sunday breakfast bread
- der Zuckerlsweet, candy (Austria) - Germany: das Bonbon, Switzerland: das Täfeli
- Deutsch sprechento speak German
- die Abstimmungreferendum (Switzerland) - held several times a year on real legislation
- die AHVSwiss state pension (Alters- und Hinterlassenenversicherung)
- die Apfelsineorange (north) - south: die Orange
- die Autobahnabfahrtmotorway exit - Austria: Abfahrt/Ausfahrt, Switzerland: Ausfahrt
- die Beine in die Hand nehmento leg it; to run off quickly
- die Bemmeslice of bread with topping (Saxony) - Berlin: die Stulle
- die Bimtram (Vienna, colloquial) - standard German: die Straßenbahn
- die Brezelpretzel - Bavaria: die Breze, Swabia: die Brezel/Bretzel, Austria: die Brezn
- die Brotzeitcold snack meal (Bavaria) - bread, sausage, cheese, radish, beer
- die Buchtelsweet yeast bun (Austria, from Bohemia)
- die Budekiosk, snack stand (Ruhr area) - also: one's own flat, colloquially
- die Confijam (Switzerland) - standard German: die Marmelade / Konfitüre
- die Datscheweekend cottage, allotment house (eastern Germany)
- die Daumen drückento keep one's fingers crossed; to wish someone luck
- die Deerngirl (northern Germany) - standard German: das Mädchen
- die E-Cardthe Austrian health insurance card - what you hand over at the surgery
- die erste Geige spielento call the tune; to play first fiddle
- die Fastnacht / Karneval / Faschingcarnival - Rhineland: Karneval, south-west: Fastnacht/Fasnet, Bavaria and Austria: Fasching
- die Fisolengreen beans (Austria) - standard German: grüne Bohnen
- die Flinte ins Korn werfento give up; to throw in the sponge
- die Friedenspfeife rauchento smoke the peace pipe; to reconcile after a dispute
- die Frikadellemeat patty - Berlin: Bulette, Bavaria: Fleischpflanzerl, Swabia: Fleischküchle, Austria: faschiertes Laibchen
- die Geduld verlierento lose patience
- die Gemeindemunicipality (Switzerland) - the level of government that runs daily life
- die Germyeast (Austria) - standard German: die Hefe
- die Glaceice cream (Switzerland) - standard German: das Eis
- die Golatschefilled pastry square (Austria, from Bohemia)
- die Grie SossFrankfurt's green sauce - seven herbs, served cold
- die Hände in den Schoß legento remain idle; to sit back and do nothing
- die Hände über dem Kopf zusammenschlagento be horrified or dismayed; to throw up one's hands in shock
- die Härdöpfelpotatoes (Swiss German) - literally 'earth apples', like Austria's Erdäpfel
- die Hosen anhabento wear the trousers; to be in charge
- die Hosen voll habento be scared stiff; to be terrified
- die Initiativepopular initiative (Switzerland) - 100,000 signatures put a change to the vote
- die Jausesnack, light meal between meals (Austria)
- die Jause zahlento pay the bill for the snack - „zahlen“ is what you say to the waiter in Austria
- die Jausenstationmountain snack stop (Austria) - a small inn on a hiking trail
- die Kaisersemmelkaiser roll - the classic Austrian bread roll with the five-fold star
- die Kärwaparish fair (Franconia) - standard German: die Kirchweih
- die Katze aus dem Sack lassento let the cat out of the bag
- die Katze im Sack kaufento buy a pig in a poke; to buy something sight unseen
- die Kaufhallesupermarket (eastern Germany) - west: der Supermarkt
- die Kehrwochethe rota for cleaning the shared parts of a building (Swabia)
- die Kirche im Dorf lassento keep things in perspective; not to overdo it
- die Kirmesfunfair (west and centre) - south: die Kirchweih/Kerwe, Bavaria/Austria: der Kirtag / die Dult, north: der Jahrmarkt
- die Kistea box - colloquially a car, a bed, or an old computer
- die Klamottenclothes, gear (informal, very common)
- die Knetecash, dough (informal) - literally 'modelling clay'
- die Kuh vom Eis holento resolve a tricky situation; to sort things out
- die Kurve kratzento make oneself scarce; to clear off
- die Kurzea short, a shot of spirits
- die Lehreapprenticeship (Switzerland, Austria, Germany) - but in Switzerland the default path
- die Marilleapricot (Austria) - standard German: die Aprikose
- die Marille im Glasapricot in a jar - Austrian jam labels say Marille where German ones say Aprikose
- die Marmeladejam - in Austria „Marmelade“ is used for all fruit; the EU rule reserving it for citrus was amended for Austria
- die Maßa litre of beer (Bavaria) - the Oktoberfest measure; note: „die“ Maß
- die Maturaschool-leaving exam (Austria, Switzerland: also „Matur“) - Germany: das Abitur
- die MaultascheSwabian filled pasta pocket - nicknamed „Herrgottsbscheißerle“
- die Mehlspeisesweet dish, dessert made from flour (Austria) - a whole category German lacks
- die Melanzaniaubergine, eggplant (Austria) - standard German: die Aubergine
- die Möhrecarrot - north: Möhre, west: Karotte, Swabia: gelbe Rübe, Switzerland: Rüebli
- die Mollea glass of beer (Berlin, dated but alive in „Molle mit Korn“)
- die Nase voll habento be fed up; to have had enough
- die Nervensägepain in the neck (literally 'nerve saw')
- die Oberhand gewinnento gain the upper hand
- die Ohren auf Durchzug stellento deliberately not listen; to let it go in one ear and out the other
- die Ohren spitzento prick up one's ears; to listen closely
- die Ordinationdoctor's surgery (Austria) - standard German: die Arztpraxis
- die Palatschinkethin pancake (Austria) - standard German: der Pfannkuchen (Crêpe-style)
- die Peperonibell pepper (Switzerland) - in Germany „Peperoni“ is a small hot chilli
- die Plasteplastic (eastern Germany) - west: das Plastik
- die Radieschen von unten betrachtento be dead and buried; to push up the daisies (jocular)
- die Randebeetroot (Switzerland) - standard German: die Rote Bete
- die Rechnung bittethe bill, please
- die Ribiselcurrant (Austria) - standard German: die Johannisbeere
- die Röstifried grated potato cake (Switzerland) - also gives the „Röstigraben“
- die Sau rauslassento let one's hair down; to party hard
- die Sausea bender, a big night out (slightly dated, affectionate)
- die Schalecup (of coffee; Austria) - „eine Schale Gold“ is a coffee with milk
- die Schoggichocolate (Switzerland, colloquial) - standard German: die Schokolade
- die Schorlejuice or wine mixed with sparkling water - „die“ or „das“ depending on region
- die Schrippebread roll (Berlin) - standard German: das Brötchen
- die Schularbeitwritten class test (Austria) - standard German: die Klassenarbeit
- die Semmelbread roll (Austria, Bavaria) - standard German: das Brötchen
- die Semmel oder das Brötchen?the bread roll map: Brötchen (north/west), Semmel (south/AT), Schrippe (Berlin), Weck (SW), Rundstück (HH)
- die Semmelbröselbreadcrumbs (Austria) - standard German: das Paniermehl
- die Semmelknödel / der Kloßdumpling - south: Knödel, north and Thuringia: Kloß
- die SpätzleSwabian egg noodles - scraped from the board into boiling water
- die Spendierhosen anhabento be in a generous mood; to be willing to treat others
- die Spreu vom Weizen trennento separate the wheat from the chaff
- die Stangesmall glass of beer, about 0.3 l (Switzerland)
- die Stiegestairs, staircase (Austria) - standard German: die Treppe
- die Stirn bietento stand up to / to defy
- die Strassestreet (Switzerland) - Swiss standard German has no ß at all
- die Stulleslice of bread with topping (Berlin, east) - standard German: das Butterbrot
- die Suppe auslöffelnto face the music / to clean up one's own mess
- die Trafiktobacconist's, newsstand (Austria)
- die Trafikantinthe person running a Trafik (Austria) - tobacconist and newsagent in one
- die Tuchentduvet (Austria) - Germany: die Bettdecke, Switzerland: das Duvet
- die Tütebag (Germany) - Austria: das Sackerl, Switzerland: der Sack
- die Tüte Milchcarton of milk - a reminder that Tüte (DE), Sackerl (AT) and Sack (CH) all differ
- die Übersicht behaltento keep an overview / to stay on top of things
- die Vignettemotorway toll sticker (Austria, Switzerland) - required on every motorway
- die Weichen stellento set the course / to lay the groundwork
- die Wiesnthe Oktoberfest (Munich) - from „Theresienwiese“, the meadow it is held on
- die Würfel sind gefallenthe die is cast; the decision is final and irreversible
- die Zeche zahlento bear the (unpleasant) consequences; to foot the bill, often for what others caused
- die Zelte abbrechento pull up stakes / to move on
- die Zwetschge / die Pflaumeplum - „Zwetschge“ is the oval baking plum (south, Austria, Switzerland), „Pflaume“ the round one
- Diggadude, bro, mate (friendly, neutral form of address)
- dissento disrespect, run someone down, insult
- Distanz wahrento keep one's distance / to maintain distance
- Druck ausübento exert pressure
- dumm gelaufentough luck, that went badly (resigned, slightly mocking)
- durch die Lappen gehento slip through one's fingers; to get away
- durchziehento see something through, go through with it
- echtreally, genuinely - both intensifier and question („echt?“)
- Ehrenfrauwoman of honor - female counterpart to Ehrenmann; someone who does you a solid
- ehrenlosdishonorable; in slang a respectless/low-down act (also ironic intensifier)
- Ehrenmannman of honor - someone who does something great for you (also used ironically)
- Ehrenmodushonour mode; going all-out, giving your best (playful, from gaming + 'Ehre')
- ein Auge auf etwas werfento take a look at / to set one's sights on / to take a fancy to
- ein Auge riskierento risk a quick/furtive glance; to dare to take a peek
- ein Auge zudrückento turn a blind eye; to let something slide
- ein Bretta stunner, something outstanding (of music, films, performances)
- ein Brett vor dem Kopf habento be slow on the uptake; to not see the obvious
- ein Ende setzento put an end to
- ein Fazit ziehento draw a conclusion / to sum up
- ein Foto machento take a photo
- ein Wörtchen mitzureden habento have a say in a matter; to have the right to help decide
- ein Zeichen setzento send a signal / to make a statement
- eine Entscheidung fällento reach/make a decision
- eine Entscheidung in Frage stellento question a decision
- eine Entscheidung treffento make a decision
- eine Erkältung habento have a cold
- eine Frage aufwerfento raise a question
- eine Frage habento have a question
- eine Frage stellento ask a question
- eine Nachricht hinterlassento leave a message
- eine Pause machento take a break
- eine Prüfung bestehento pass an exam
- eine Rechnung bezahlento pay a bill
- eine Reise machento take a trip
- eine Rolle spielento play a role / matter
- eine weiße Weste habento have a clean record; to be beyond reproach
- einen Antrag stellento submit/file an application
- einen Beitrag leistento make a contribution
- einen draufmachento have a big night out
- einen Fehler korrigierento correct a mistake
- einen Fehler machento make a mistake
- einen Frosch im Hals habento have a frog in one's throat; to be hoarse
- einen grünen Daumen habento have a green thumb; to be good with plants
- einen Kater habento have a hangover
- einen Kurs besuchento take/attend a course
- einen Rat gebento give advice
- einen schönen Tag nochhave a nice day
- einen Spaziergang machento go for a walk
- einen Streit vom Zaun brechento pick a fight; to start a quarrel abruptly and for no real reason
- einen Termin absagento cancel an appointment
- einen Termin vereinbarento make an appointment
- einen Termin verschiebento postpone an appointment
- einen Vogel habento be crazy; to have a screw loose
- einen Zahn zulegento speed up; to get a move on
- Einfluss nehmen aufto influence / to have an effect on
- Einhalt gebietento put a stop to / to call a halt to
- en Gueteenjoy your meal (Switzerland) - standard German: guten Appetit
- Ende gut, alles gutall's well that ends well
- Entschuldigungexcuse me / sorry
- es geht sich ausit works out, there's just enough time/space (Austria) - no direct German equivalent
- es geht umit's about
- es tut mir leidI'm sorry
- etwas auf dem Kasten habento have a lot on the ball; to be clever
- etwas auf die hohe Kante legento put money aside; to save up for later
- etwas auf die leichte Schulter nehmento take something lightly
- etwas aus dem Ärmel schüttelnto pull something out of one's hat / to do effortlessly
- etwas durch die Blume sagento say something indirectly / to hint at
- Eulen nach Athen tragento carry coals to Newcastle (do something pointless)
- feschsmart, good-looking (Austria, southern Germany)
- fettgreat, impressive (informal) - literally 'fat'
- fettichdone, finished, wiped out (colloquial pronunciation spelling of 'fertig')
- flexento show off / brag (with status symbols, looks or money)
- flycool, awesome, in great form (as a compliment)
- Folge leistento comply with / to obey
- Folgen habento have consequences
- freshcool, stylish, trendy (often about appearance/clothing)
- freut michnice to meet you
- Früchte tragento bear fruit / to pay off
- früher oder spätersooner or later
- fühl ichI feel that, I relate (agreement with a feeling)
- für gewöhnlichusually / customarily
- für jemanden die Hand ins Feuer legento vouch for someone; to stake one's reputation on someone
- fürwahrindeed / truly (literary)
- gäbighandy, pleasant, convenient (Switzerland)
- gebongtagreed, it's a deal (from the till receipt, „Bon“)
- Geburtstag habento have a birthday
- Gefahr laufento run the risk of
- Gehör findento get a hearing / to be heard
- geht abit's going off, it rocks (of a party, a song, a machine)
- geilgreat, awesome, cool (colloquial; literal/older sense: 'horny')
- Geld ausgebento spend money
- Geld sparento save money
- gellright?, isn't it? (south, Austria) - standard German: nicht wahr?, oder?
- Genüge tunto satisfy / to do justice to (a requirement)
- geradeaus gehento go straight ahead
- geradezudownright / virtually
- geschweige dennlet alone / much less
- Gestalt annehmento take shape / to take form
- ghostento ghost; to cut off contact abruptly without explanation (anglicism)
- Glauben schenkento give credence to / to believe
- Glow-downglow-down; a decline in looks/appeal over time (the opposite of a glow-up)
- Glow-upa noticeable positive transformation - usually looks, sometimes confidence
- Glück habento be lucky
- Gönn dirtreat yourself!, go for it! (encouraging colloquial phrase; related to 'Gönnung')
- Gönnungtreating yourself; celebrating an indulgence ('gönn dir' = treat yourself / good for you)
- goofysilly, clumsy, dopey, awkward (usually endearingly comical)
- Goonento masturbate (excessively); to chase a dopamine high (vulgar/crude internet slang)
- Green Flaggreen flag; a reassuring positive sign about a person (anglicism)
- Grenzen setzento set limits / to set boundaries
- Griaß dihello (Bavaria) - dialect form of „grüß dich“
- grillierento barbecue (Switzerland) - standard German: grillen
- grindento grind - repeat a task for progress (gaming, then work)
- Grüezihello (Switzerland, formal-neutral)
- grünes Licht gebento give the green light; to give the go-ahead
- Grüß Gotthello (formal-ish Southern German/Austrian greeting)
- Gudehello (Hesse) - short for „guten Tag“, used at any hour
- gute Besserungget well soon
- gute Nachtgood night
- guten Abendgood evening
- guten Morgengood morning
- guten Tagthe neutral greeting that works everywhere - when in doubt, use it
- Gyattgyatt; an exclamation of awe at a curvy/attractive body (crude internet/meme slang)
- Haare auf den Zähnen habento be tough, assertive and sharp-tongued (not to be trifled with)
- Habibimy darling / my love (affectionate, gender-neutral address among friends)
- Hals über Kopfhead over heels; in a great rush
- Hals- und Beinbruchgood luck! (lit. "break your neck and leg")
- haltjust, simply (filler particle; south) - north: eben
- halt ebenthe two German filler particles stacked - 'that's just how it is'
- halve Hahna rye roll with cheese (Cologne) - despite meaning 'half a chicken'
- hammeramazing, awesome (informal but harmless)
- Hamudiaffectionate address ('little darling/sweetie'); also a pet form of the name Muhammad
- Hand und Fuß habento be well thought out / to make sense
- Hände falten, Goschn haltenfold your hands and shut up (Bavarian-Austrian phrase: be quiet and behave)
- hässigannoyed, cross (Switzerland) - standard German: verärgert, sauer
- Hayvan'animal/beast' - usually an insult (uncontrolled person), occasionally admiring
- hdl„hab dich lieb“ - love you (chat abbreviation, platonic or family)
- Heckmeckfuss, palaver, unnecessary commotion (jocular colloquial)
- herzlich willkommena warm welcome
- herzlichen Glückwunschcongratulations / happy birthday
- heuerthis year (Austria, Bavaria, Switzerland) - standard German: dieses Jahr
- hin und wiedernow and then / occasionally
- Hochmut kommt vor dem Fallpride comes before a fall
- hohlstupid, empty-headed (of ideas and people; rude about people)
- Hoihi (Switzerland, informal) - plural: „Hoi zäme“
- Hummeln im Hintern habento have ants in one's pants; to be unable to sit still
- Hurensohnson of a bitch (very strong insult; ironically also used as extreme praise in rap slang)
- ich bin der MeinungI am of the opinion / I think
- ich bin einverstandenI agree / I'm fine with it
- ich habe DurstI'm thirsty
- ich habe HungerI'm hungry
- ich hätte gernI'd like to have
- ich heißemy name is
- ich komme ausI come from
- ich möchteI would like
- ich verstehe nichtI don't understand
- ich wohne inI live in
- Icka sudden turn-off in dating - a small thing that instantly kills your attraction
- ickeI (Berlin dialect) - standard German: ich
- im Allgemeinenin general / generally
- im Argen liegento be in a bad state / to be amiss
- im Gegenteilon the contrary
- im Gegenzugin return / in exchange
- im Großen und Ganzenby and large / on the whole
- im Großen und Ganzen betrachtetviewed as a whole / all things considered
- im Großen wie im Kleinenin matters large and small
- im Hinblick aufwith regard to / in view of
- im Hinblick daraufwith this in mind / in this regard
- im Mittelpunkt stehento be at the centre of attention
- im Nachhineinin hindsight / after the fact
- im Sande verlaufento come to nothing / to peter out
- im Stich lassento leave in the lurch / to let down
- im Vergleich zucompared to / in comparison with
- im Vordergrund stehento be the focus / to take centre stage
- im Vorhineinin advance / beforehand
- im weitesten Sinnein the broadest sense
- im Wesentlichenessentially / in essence
- im Zaum haltento keep in check / to hold in check
- im Zugein the course of / as part of
- im Zusammenhang mitin connection with
- in Abrede stellento deny / to dispute
- in Anbetrachtin view of / considering
- in Anbetracht dessenin view of this / that being the case
- in Anspruch genommen werdento be in demand / kept busy
- in Anspruch nehmento make use of / to take up (time)
- in Anspruch nehmen (Hilfe)to avail oneself of (help/services)
- in Anspruch nehmen (Recht)to assert / to claim (a right)
- in Aussicht stehento be in prospect / to be on the horizon
- in Aussicht stellento hold out the prospect of / to promise
- in Bausch und Bogenwholesale / lock, stock and barrel
- in Betracht ziehento take into consideration
- in Bezug aufregarding / with respect to
- in den sauren Apfel beißento bite the bullet; to grin and bear it
- in den Schatten stellento overshadow / to put in the shade
- in der Nähenearby
- in der Regelas a rule / usually
- in der Tatindeed / in fact
- in die Schranken weisento put in one's place / to rein in
- in die Waagschale werfento bring to bear / to throw one's weight behind something
- in Erfüllung gehento come true / to be fulfilled
- in Erinnerung rufento call to mind / to recall
- in Erscheinung tretento appear / to make an appearance
- in Erscheinung treten alsto come forward as / to act in the capacity of
- in erster Linieprimarily / first and foremost
- in Erwägung gezogen werdento be taken into consideration
- in Erwägung ziehento consider / to contemplate
- in Frage kommento be an option / be possible
- in Frage stellento call into question / to question
- in gewisser Hinsichtin a certain respect / in a way
- in Kauf nehmento accept / to put up with (a downside)
- in Kauf nehmen müssento have to accept (a drawback)
- in Kontakt treten mitto make contact with
- in Kraft bleibento remain in force
- in Kraft tretento come into force / to take effect
- in letzter Minuteat the last minute
- in letzter Zeitlately / recently
- in Mitleidenschaft ziehento affect adversely / to take a toll on
- in nennenswertem Umfangto any significant extent
- in Saus und Braus lebento live it up; to live in luxury and extravagance
- in trockenen Tüchern seinto be in the bag / to be all sewn up
- in Vergessenheit geratento fall into oblivion / to be forgotten
- in Verruf geratento fall into disrepute
- in vollem Umfangto the full extent / in full
- in Zukunftin the future
- in Zweifel ziehento call into doubt / to question
- infolgeas a result of / due to (formal)
- ins Auge fassento consider / to set one's sights on
- ins Fettnäpfchen tretento put one's foot in it; to commit a faux pas
- ins Gewicht fallento carry weight / to be significant
- ins Gewicht fallen lassento bring to bear / to throw into the balance
- ins Gras beißento bite the dust; to die
- ins kalte Wasser springento jump in at the deep end
- ins Leben rufento launch / to bring into being
- ins Schwarze treffento hit the bull's eye / to be spot on
- ins Stocken geratento stall / to grind to a halt
- ins Wasser fallento fall through / to be called off
- Ischechick, girl / girlfriend (colloquial, sometimes slightly disrespectful)
- iwie„irgendwie“ - somehow (chat abbreviation)
- ja malexample of stacked modal particles: „Komm ja mal vorbei“ softens an order into an invitation
- je nachdepending on
- jemandem auf den Wecker gehento get on someone's nerves; to bug someone
- jemandem auf den Zahn fühlento sound someone out / to grill someone
- jemandem auf der Nase herumtanzento walk all over someone; to take advantage of someone
- jemandem auf der Tasche liegento be financially dependent on someone; to live off someone else's money
- jemandem auf die Nerven gehento get on someone's nerves
- jemandem auf die Sprünge helfento give someone a hint / to jog someone's memory
- jemandem aufs Dach steigento take someone to task; to come down hard on someone
- jemandem das Heft aus der Hand nehmento take control/power away from someone; to wrest the initiative from someone
- jemandem das Herz brechento break someone's heart
- jemandem das Wasser abgrabento undermine someone; to cut off someone's lifeblood
- jemandem das Wasser reichen könnento hold a candle to someone
- jemandem den Marsch blasento give someone a loud telling-off; to read someone the riot act
- jemandem die Daumenschrauben anlegento put the thumbscrews on someone; to pressure someone hard
- jemandem die Hölle heiß machento pressure or harangue someone hard; to give them hell
- jemandem die kalte Schulter zeigento give someone the cold shoulder; to snub someone
- jemandem die Leviten lesento give someone a stern telling-off; to read someone the riot act
- jemandem die Show stehlento steal the show; to upstage/outshine someone
- jemandem die Stange haltento stand up for / back / support someone
- jemandem die Suppe versalzento spoil someone's plans; to ruin it for someone
- jemandem die Würmer aus der Nase ziehento drag information out of someone
- jemandem ein Dorn im Auge seinto be a thorn in someone's side
- jemandem ein Ohr abkauento talk someone's ear off; to pester someone with endless talking
- jemandem ein X für ein U vormachento deceive someone; to pull the wool over someone's eyes
- jemandem einen Bären aufbindento tell someone a tall tale; to pull someone's leg
- jemandem einen Floh ins Ohr setzento put a (far-fetched or unsettling) idea into someone's head
- jemandem einen Gefallen tunto do someone a favor
- jemandem einen Korb gebento turn someone down; to reject someone
- jemandem einen Strich durch die Rechnung machento thwart someone's plans; to spoil someone's plan
- jemandem geht ein Licht aufthe penny drops; to suddenly understand
- jemandem Honig um den Mund schmierento butter someone up; to flatter someone
- jemandem Paroli bietento stand up to someone; to offer effective resistance
- jemandem reinen Wein einschenkento tell someone the plain truth; to come clean
- jemanden auf dem Kieker habento have it in for someone; to watch someone closely waiting to catch them out
- jemanden auf die Palme bringento drive someone up the wall; to infuriate someone
- jemanden auf die Schippe nehmento pull someone's leg; to tease someone
- jemanden durch den Kakao ziehento make fun of someone; to take the mickey
- jemanden hinters Licht führento deceive or trick someone
- jemanden in den Senkel stellento sharply reprimand someone; to put someone in their place
- jemanden mit offenen Armen empfangento welcome someone warmly, with open arms
- jemanden über den Tisch ziehento swindle/cheat someone; to get the better of someone
- jemanden um den Finger wickelnto wrap someone around one's little finger
- jemanden zur Schnecke machento give someone a severe dressing-down, humiliating them
- kalte Füße bekommento get cold feet; to lose one's nerve
- KarenKaren; an entitled, complaining (usually middle-aged) woman (mocking meme name)
- kehrento sweep (south) - north: fegen
- kein Dingno problem, no worries
- kein Problemno problem
- keine Ahnungno idea
- Kekloser, fool, clown (internet/meme insult)
- Kleider machen Leuteclothes make the man; people judge by appearances
- Kleinvieh macht auch Mistsmall amounts add up too; every little bit counts
- klönento have a cosy chat (northern Germany)
- Klugscheißerknow-it-all, smart-arse (derogatory but everyday colloquial)
- knorkegreat, excellent (Berlin, dated)
- Kohlemoney, dough, cash (colloquial; lit. 'coal')
- Konsequenzen ziehento draw the consequences / to act on
- Korinthenkackernitpicker, hair-splitter, pedant (derogatory colloquial)
- kp„kein Plan“ - no idea (chat abbreviation)
- krassintense, extreme, wow (all-purpose intensifier, positive or negative)
- Kritik übento criticize / to voice criticism
- labernto waffle, talk nonsense (dismissive)
- laggento lag (of a connection or a game)
- lahmboring, weak (of a party, a joke, a film)
- lange Finger machento steal, to pilfer (a thief is a 'Langfinger')
- Lappenwuss, pushover / weakling (insult; lit. 'rag, cloth')
- Lauchweakling, wimp, loser (lit. 'leek'; mildly derogatory tease)
- läuft bei dirthings are going well for you (approving, slightly teasing)
- Lehren ziehen austo learn lessons from
- Lehrgeld zahlento learn the hard way; to suffer a costly lesson through inexperience
- leiwandgreat, brilliant (Vienna) - standard German: toll, super
- letzten Endesin the end / ultimately
- lg„liebe Grüße“ - kind regards (the standard German sign-off)
- litawesome, exciting, 'fire' (a great party, vibe or thing)
- Looksmaxxinglooksmaxxing; maximising one's physical attractiveness by every means (anglicism)
- lostclueless, disoriented, not knowing what's going on
- Lügen haben kurze Beinelies have short legs; the truth will come out
- Lust habento feel like (doing something)
- Lust haben aufto be in the mood for
- Machtaa boss, a doer, someone who gets things done (admiring; from 'Macher')
- malochento graft, work hard (Ruhr area) - standard German: hart arbeiten
- mangelsfor lack of / in the absence of
- Mashallahadmiration/praise - 'great', 'awesome', 'wow' (lit. 'what God has willed')
- Maßnahmen einleitento initiate measures / to set measures in motion
- Maßnahmen ergreifento take measures / to take action
- Maßstäbe setzento set standards / to set the benchmark
- megasuper, really, extremely (intensifier); also standalone 'great'
- mehr oder wenigermore or less
- meiner Meinung nachin my opinion
- merci vielmalthanks a lot (Switzerland) - French „merci“ with a German intensifier
- Mewingmewing; pressing the tongue to the palate to sharpen the jawline (looksmaxxing trend)
- miesbad, lousy (informal); also as an intensifier: „mies gut“ = really good
- mir geht es gutI'm fine
- mit allen Wassern gewaschen seinto be shrewd and worldly-wise; to know all the tricks
- mit anderen Wortenin other words
- mit Blick aufwith a view to / with regard to
- mit dem Bus fahrento go by bus
- mit dem Klammerbeutel gepudert seinto be not quite right in the head; to be a bit daft
- mit jemandem Pferde stehlen könnento be able to rely on someone completely; a trustworthy partner in crime
- mit Kanonen auf Spatzen schießento use wildly disproportionate means; to take a sledgehammer to crack a nut
- mit zweierlei Maß messento apply a double standard
- mitnichtenby no means / not at all (elevated)
- Moinhi / hello (Northern German all-day greeting, not just morning)
- Monetenmoney, funds, cash (jocular, slightly old-fashioned colloquial)
- Morgenstund hat Gold im Mundthe early hours are the most productive (≈ the early bird catches the worm)
- Musik hörento listen to music
- na?the one-syllable German greeting that asks how you are
- nach Hause(to) home
- nach und nachgradually / little by little
- nach wie vorstill / as before
- Nachdruck verleihento lend emphasis to / to underscore
- nahe liegento be the obvious choice / to suggest itself
- nervigannoying
- nicenice, cool (English loan, extremely common)
- nicht alle Tassen im Schrank habento be off one's rocker; to be a bit crazy
- nicht auf den Mund gefallen seinto be quick-witted and articulate; never at a loss for words
- nicht zuletztnot least / in no small part
- nichtsdestotrotznevertheless / nonetheless
- nichtsdestowenigernonetheless / nevertheless (elevated)
- No Cap'no lie / for real / I'm not kidding' ('Cap' = a lie/exaggeration)
- no front'no offense' - signals what follows is not meant as an attack
- noch einmal bitteonce more, please
- NPCmockery for someone seen as not thinking for themselves / on autopilot (from 'non-player character')
- nuyes, certainly (Saxony) - standard German: ja, natürlich
- nur Bahnhof verstehento not understand a thing; "it's all Greek to me"
- Nutzen ziehen austo derive benefit from / to capitalize on
- obendreinon top of that / to boot
- ödedreary, dull
- Öl ins Feuer gießento add fuel to the fire; to make things worse
- Opferinsult: 'loser, pathetic person' (weaker: 'uncool, dumb')
- Paramoney; 'Para haben' = to have money, 'Para machen' = to make money
- Parallelen ziehento draw parallels
- parkierento park (Switzerland) - standard German: parken
- passt schothat's fine, never mind (Bavaria) - the all-purpose Bavarian answer
- Pech gehabttough luck (dismissive)
- Pech habento be unlucky
- peinlichembarrassing, cringeworthy - the everyday word behind „cringe“
- pennento sleep, to crash, to kip (colloquial)
- Pennerbum, layabout / loser (derogatory; lit. 'someone who sleeps/dosses')
- Perlen vor die Säue werfento cast pearls before swine
- Pfeifeloser, incompetent (jocular-derogatory; lit. 'whistle/pipe')
- Pi mal Daumenroughly; give or take; a ballpark figure
- Pisserjerk, idiot (crude insult; can be jokingly affectionate among friends)
- pleitebroke, out of money
- plietschclever, bright (northern Germany)
- postento post (online)
- Prioritäten setzento set priorities
- putzento clean - in Switzerland one also says „bodenen“/„fägen“; the shared word is putzen
- quatschento chat, natter (friendly)
- rallento get it, to grasp / understand (colloquial)
- randomweird, out of nowhere, unexpected/odd (broader than literal 'by chance')
- ranziggrubby, shabby (youth slang) - literally 'rancid'
- Rechenschaft ablegento render account / to answer for
- Rechnung tragento take account of / to do justice to
- recht habento be right
- Red Flagred flag; a warning sign about a person or relationship (anglicism)
- Rede und Antwort stehento answer for oneself / to account for
- Reden ist Silber, Schweigen ist Goldspeech is silver, silence is golden
- reden wie ein Buchto talk incessantly; to talk a blue streak
- reinen Tisch machento clear the air; to make a clean breast of things
- Rizzcharisma, esp. the skill of flirting / charming someone successfully
- rot sehento see red; to fly into a rage
- Rücksicht auf jemanden nehmento show consideration for someone
- Rücksicht nehmen aufto be considerate of
- Rücksicht walten lassento show consideration
- safedefinitely, for sure (English loan, as agreement)
- saltyannoyed, sour, bitter - especially after losing (common in gaming)
- Salühi (Switzerland, informal) - from French „salut“
- Sand im Getriebea spanner in the works; a disruption in an otherwise smooth process
- Schaden zufügento cause harm / to do damage to
- schaffento work (Swabia, Baden) - standard German: arbeiten
- SchereI confess / busted (admission of guilt, esp. in online gaming; top-3 Jugendwort 2024)
- Schickeriathe in-crowd, the fashionable set, high society (often mildly mocking)
- Schlange stehento queue up / to wait in line
- Schluss machento stop / call it a day / break up
- Schluss machen mitto put an end to / to break up with
- Schlüsse ziehento draw conclusions
- Schmetterlinge im Bauch habento have butterflies in one's stomach (in love)
- schnackento chat (northern Germany) - standard German: reden, plaudern
- schnallento get it, understand (informal)
- Schnee von gesternold news; water under the bridge; no longer relevant
- schöne Grüßebest regards / kind regards
- Schritt für Schrittstep by step
- Schritte unternehmento take steps
- Schule machento catch on / to set a precedent
- Schwamm drüberlet's forget it; let bygones be bygones
- schwarzsehento be pessimistic; to look on the dark side, fear the worst
- Schwein habento get lucky; to have a stroke of luck
- sein blaues Wunder erlebento be in for a nasty surprise; to get a rude shock
- sein Herz auf der Zunge tragento wear one's heart on one's sleeve
- seine Schäfchen ins Trockene bringento secure one's own profit/advantage (often before things go bad)
- seinen Senf dazugebento put in one's two cents; to add one's (usually unwanted) opinion
- seitenson the part of / from (formal)
- Servushi / bye (Bavarian-Austrian greeting and farewell)
- sheeshexclamation of surprise/admiration - like 'wow', 'damn', 'krass'
- Sheesh seinto be impressive/jaw-dropping (verb-y use of the exclamation 'sheesh')
- sich aus dem Staub machento make oneself scarce; to slip away
- sich beschweren überto complain about
- sich den Kopf zerbrechento rack one's brains
- sich etwas hinter die Ohren schreibento take something firmly to heart and remember it well
- sich freuen aufto look forward to
- sich Gedanken machen überto worry about / to think about
- sich Gehör verschaffento make oneself heard
- sich grün und blau ärgernto be hopping mad; to be utterly furious
- sich in Acht nehmento be careful / to watch out
- sich in Verbindung setzen mitto get in touch with
- sich ins gemachte Nest setzento land in a feathered nest; to profit from others' work
- sich Mühe gebento make an effort
- sich Sorgen machento worry
- sich verpissento clear off, get lost (rude - not for polite company)
- sich Zeit nehmento take one's time
- side eyea sideways glance expressing skepticism, disapproval or judgment
- Sigmathe 'lone-wolf' macho ideal - an independent, self-confident loner (often ironic/meme)
- Simpsimp; someone who fawns excessively over a love interest (mocking internet slang)
- simpento fawn over someone who doesn't return the affection (a 'Simp' does this)
- Skibidiskibidi; nonsense intensifier, can mean 'good', 'bad' or nothing (absurdist meme slang)
- Slayexclamation of praise - 'you nailed it / iconic / amazing'
- Smashto be (sexually) into someone / 'would smash' - from the game 'Smash oder Pass'
- Smombiesomeone so absorbed in their smartphone they barely notice their surroundings
- Sorge tragen fürto see to / to take care of
- spammento spam - flood someone with messages
- Spaß machento be fun
- Spastidiot, moron (offensive; derived from 'Spastiker', now a generic insult)
- Sport treibento do/play sports
- srysorry (chat abbreviation)
- starkgreat, impressive (informal) - a milder, all-ages 'geil'
- Steine in den Weg legento put obstacles in someone's way
- Stellung beziehento take a stance / to take a position
- Stellung nehmen zuto comment on / to take a position on
- stille Wasser sind tiefstill waters run deep (quiet people often have hidden depths)
- Stillschweigen bewahrento maintain silence / to keep quiet
- stimmt sokeep the change
- sussuspicious, sketchy, suspect
- Swageffortless cool, charisma, style (sometimes ironic)
- swipento swipe (on a phone, especially on dating apps)
- Tacheles redento talk turkey; to speak plainly
- Talahonstereotyped (often pejorative) label for a young man flexing (fake) designer brands
- Teatea; juicy gossip, the inside scoop (anglicism, esp. 'spill the tea')
- Tomaten auf den Augen habento be oblivious; to fail to see the obvious
- tönento sound (Switzerland) - standard German: klingen
- totaltotally, completely (intensifier, all ages)
- Tribut zollento pay tribute / to take its toll
- trollento troll - provoke online for fun
- Tschüss / Ade / Pfiat dibye - north: Tschüss, south-west: Ade, Bavaria/Austria: Pfiat di
- übelstextremely (youth slang) - grammatically the superlative of 'evil'
- über den eigenen Schatten springento overcome one's nature; to step out of one's comfort zone
- über den Tellerrand schauento look beyond one's own nose
- über die Bühne gehento go off / to take place (smoothly)
- Überhand nehmento get out of hand / to become rampant
- überhandnehmento get out of hand / to become rampant
- Überlegungen anstellento deliberate / to reflect on
- Übung macht den Meisterpractice makes perfect
- um jeden Preisat any cost / at all costs
- ums Leben kommento lose one's life / to die (in an accident)
- umso mehrall the more
- und so weiterand so on / et cetera
- und zwarnamely / specifically (to clarify)
- ungeachtetregardless of / notwithstanding
- unter Beweis stellento demonstrate / to prove (a quality)
- unter dem Strichat the end of the day / when all is said and done
- unter Umständenpossibly / under certain circumstances
- urstvery, extremely (East German youth slang, dated but recognisable)
- Verantwortung tragento bear responsibility
- Verantwortung übernehmento take responsibility
- Vergleiche anstellento make comparisons
- verkacktscrewed up, botched, blew it (crude colloquial)
- verpeiltscatterbrained, confused, disorganised (colloquial)
- versackento end up staying out far longer than planned
- Vertrauen schenkento place trust in
- Vibemood/atmosphere or a person's aura; 'viben' = to be on the same wavelength
- viel Erfolggood luck / much success
- viel Glückgood luck
- viel Spaßhave fun
- viel Wirbel um nichts machento make a big fuss about nothing
- vielen Dankmany thanks
- viertel vor / viertel dreiquarter to / 'quarter three' = 2:15 (east and south) - a real source of missed appointments
- vllt„vielleicht“ - maybe (chat abbreviation)
- volltotally, really (intensifier) - „voll gut“, „voll der Stress“
- von Bedeutung seinto be of importance / to matter
- von Dauer seinto last / to be lasting
- von der Hand weisento dismiss / to brush aside
- von der Rolle seinto be exhausted, out of sorts or confused; off one's game
- von grundlegender Bedeutungof fundamental importance
- von vornhereinfrom the outset / from the start
- von Zeit zu Zeitfrom time to time
- vor allemabove all / especially
- vor dem Hintergrundagainst the backdrop of / in the light of
- vorglühento pre-drink before going out
- Vorschub leistento encourage / to abet (something negative)
- wahnsinnigincredibly (intensifier) - literally 'insane'
- wallah'I swear' (lit. 'by God') - emphasizes the truth of a statement
- Warmduschersoftie, wimp (lit. 'warm-showerer'; jocular insult for someone soft/risk-averse)
- was du heute kannst besorgen, das verschiebe nicht auf morgendon't put off till tomorrow what you can do today
- Was geht abwhat's up?, what's going on? (casual greeting)
- was machen Sachenabsurd jokey filler - roughly 'well, things happen / what's going on here'
- Wasser auf die Mühlen seinto be grist to the mill
- wer A sagt, muss auch B sagenin for a penny, in for a pound; once you start, you must follow through
- wer anderen eine Grube gräbt, fällt selbst hineinhe who digs a pit for others falls into it himself
- wer zuletzt lacht, lacht am bestenhe who laughs last laughs best
- Wert darauf legento insist on / to set store by
- Wert legen aufto attach importance to
- Wholesomewholesome; heartwarming, sweet, pure (approving internet slang)
- Widerstand leistento put up resistance / to resist
- wie bittepardon? / what was that?
- wie die Faust aufs Auge passento clash badly - or, ironically, to fit perfectly (both senses are current)
- wie ein Elefant im Porzellanladenlike a bull in a china shop; clumsily and tactlessly
- wie ein Fisch im Wasserin one's element; completely at ease and lively
- wie geht es dirhow are you (informal)
- wie geht es Ihnenhow are you (formal)
- wie heißt duwhat is your name (informal)
- wie spät ist eswhat time is it
- wie viel kostet dashow much does that cost
- wildcrazy, intense, unbelievable (exclamation of astonishment)
- Wingmanwingman; a friend who helps you approach/win over a romantic interest (anglicism)
- Wirkung entfaltento take full effect / to unfold its effect
- Wirkung zeigento have an effect / to take effect
- wissen, wo der Hammer hängtto know exactly how things stand; to know the ropes / be competent
- wmd„was machst du?“ - what are you up to? (chat opener)
- wokewoke; socially/politically alert (often used pejoratively or ironically in German discourse)
- Wort haltento keep one's word
- Wyldstylized, English-pronounced variant of 'wild' - crazy, heavy, unbelievable
- yappento talk nonstop / ramble about trivial stuff (often mildly pejorative)
- Yeetyeet; to hurl something hard / an exclamation while throwing (energetic meme slang)
- zachtough, tiresome (Austria) - standard German: zäh, mühsam
- Zeit habento have time
- zockento game, play video games; also: to gamble
- zu Buche schlagento count / to make a difference (financially)
- zu Ende gehento come to an end
- zu Fuß gehento go on foot / walk
- zu Hauseat home
- zu Rate ziehento consult / to call in (an expert)
- zu spät kommento be / arrive late
- zu Wort kommento get a chance to speak
- zügelnto move house (Switzerland) - standard German: umziehen
- zugrunde liegento underlie / to be the basis of
- zugunstenin favour of / for the benefit of
- zugute kommento benefit / to be of benefit to
- zugutekommento benefit / to be of benefit to
- zulastenat the expense of / to the detriment of
- zum Ausdruck bringento express / to give voice to
- zum Beispielfor example
- zum Erliegen kommento come to a standstill
- zum Mitnehmento take away
- zum Stillstand kommento grind to a halt
- zum Tragen kommento come into play / to take effect
- zum Vorschein kommento come to light / to emerge
- zumalespecially since / particularly as
- zur Anwendung kommento be applied / to come into use
- zur Auswahl stehento be available as an option / to be on offer
- zur Debatte stehento be up for debate / to be at issue
- zur Diskussion stehento be under discussion
- zur Folge habento result in / to lead to
- zur Geltung kommento come into its own / to show to advantage
- zur Kenntnis nehmento take note of / to acknowledge
- zur Last fallento be a burden to someone
- zur Last legento charge with / to accuse of
- zur Rechenschaft ziehento bring to account / to make answer for
- zur Rede stellento confront / to take to task
- zur Sprache bringento bring up / to raise (a topic)
- zur Sprache kommento come up / to be raised (a topic)
- zur Verantwortung ziehento hold accountable / to call to account
- zur Verfügung stehento be available
- zur Verfügung stellento make available / to provide
- zusehendsvisibly / increasingly (before one's eyes)
- Zuspruch findento find support / to be well received
- zwei Fliegen mit einer Klappe schlagento kill two birds with one stone
- Zweifel hegento harbor doubts