German Words to Avoid A der Abschaum scum der Abschaum der menschlichen Gesellschaft = the scum of the earth die Abtreibung (-en) abortion der Abort toilet, lavatory (dated, Ab + Ort) abzapfen to tap (beer), draw (blood) sich abzapfen = to jerk off, masturbate der After anus, rectum analfixiert anal retentive anbaggern to put the make on, hit on s.o. anmachen to put the make on, hit on s.o.; turn on (sexually) Mach sie doch an! = Why don't you hit on her! Mach mich nicht an! = Leave me alone! (i.e., stop hitting on me) Er macht mich total an! = He really turns me on. der Analhusten (teen slang) fart (lit., "anal cough") der Furz (Fürze) fart angeschissen reamed out, screwed over, buggered (Br.) anscheißen to screw (someone) over Da hast du dich aber anscheißen lassen. = You really got screwed over. Du scheißt mich an! = You're a pain in the ass! COMMENT: A note about German words with forms of scheißen. The German equivalent of the English s-word is not really the same thing. Because its use in German is milder than in English, forms of Scheiße are often better translated with "damn" than with the literal English translation. antisemitisch antisemitic der Arsch ass, arse; butt, fanny* am Arsch der Welt = in the middle of nowhere, in a Godforsaken hole am/im Arsch sein = to be screwed up Das geht mir am Arsch vorbei! = I don't give a sh-- (about that)! in den Arsch gehen = to get screwed up Du kannst mich! (am Arsch lecken) = You can kiss my ass! Leck mich am Arsch! = Kiss my ass!/F--- off! Setz deinen Arsch in Bewegung! = Get your ass in gear! *Caution: The word "fanny" in British English is slang for a woman's vulva! Arsch und Titten tits and ass, T&A die Arsch-und-Titten-Presse = the T&A press der Arschkriecher/der Arschlecker (-) ass-kisser, brown-nose das Arschloch a-hole A German comic-book character, popular with teens and university students, goes by the name of das kleine Arschloch ("the little a-hole"). JOKE/WITZ: Was ist der Unterschied zwischen einer Autoschlange und einer echten Schlange? - Bei der Autoschlange ist das Arschloch immer vorne. (What's the difference between a long line of cars [Autoschlange, "auto-snake"] and a real snake? - With a long line of cars the a-hole is at the front.) arschlos (teen slang) random, pointless B baggern to put the make on (a girl/woman) Also anbaggern beschissen lousy, crappy, screwed up Das Leben ist wie ein Kinderhemd, kurz und beschissen. = Life is like a kid's shirt - short and crappy. COMMENT: A note about German words with forms of scheißen (as in "beschissen"). The German equivalent of the English s-word is not really the same thing. Because its use in German is milder than in English, forms of Scheiße are often better translated with "damn" or "crap" than with the literal English translation. beschnitten circumcised das Betthäschen/der Betthase a good lay, sexy number (lit. "bed bunny") der BH (BAY-HA) bra Short for der Büstenhalter = brassiere, bra blasen to blow (fellatio) jemandem einen blasen = to go down on s.o., do fallatio Sie hat ihm einen geblasen. = She gave him a... der Bockmist B.S., utter nonsense (lit., goat/ram manure) keinen/null Bock haben (auf + acc.) = to not give a damn (about)
das Bordell (-e) bordello, brothel, whorehouse There are many German slang words for "cathouse": See Freudenhaus, Puff and others. die Brust breast, chest die Brüste (pl.) breasts der Bubistrich male prostitution; male red-light district (for rent-boys) Also see: Strichjunge/Strichmädchen bumsen to bang, ball, have sex, get some nookie gebumst werden = to get laid der Busen bosom, bust, breast busenfrei topless oben ohne topless der Busengrabscher/der Busengrapscher groper, tit-grabber das Bustier bustier, bra top, tube top BITCH - German terms roughly equal to English bitch, slut, or tramp: die Hure, das Luder, die Schlampe, das Miststück, das Weibstück BULLSH--/BOLLOCKS - German terms roughly equal to American "bullsh--" or British "bollocks": der Bockmist, Scheiß reden, Scheiße!, Quatsch mit Soße D deflorieren to deflower, take for the first time das Dekolleté (-s) low-cut/plunging neckline, decolletage der Dildo (-s) dildo die Dirne (-n) hooker, prostitute das Dirnenviertel red-light district die Domina (-s) dominatrix Donnerwetter! Darn it! Zum Donnerwetter! = Damn it! NOTE: This is normally a very mild German epithet, but like most "bad" words, it depends on the tone of your voice and how it is said. As an interjection of acknowledgement, it is more like "My word! You don't say." der Drecksack dirty bastard die Drecksau/der Dreckskerl filthy swine, bastard der Dussel twit, twerp, dope E die Eichel glans, tip of penis die Eier (pl.) balls, nuts (lit. eggs) einhandsegeln (teen slang) to jerk off, wank, spank the monkey einparken (teen slang) to have sex, get laid, bang erogene Zone (-n) erogenous zone das Eros-Center sex shop die Erotik eroticism die Erotika erotica (literature) erotisch erotic der Erotomane sex maniac die Erotomanie sex mania, erotomania (psychol.) die Erotomannin nymphomaniac erregbar easily aroused (sexually); excitable, sensitive erregen to arouse (sexually or not) erregt aroused (sexually or not) die Erregtheit arousal (sexual or not) die Erregung arousal, arousing (sexual or not) F feucht wet, moist Das geht dich einen feuchten Dreck an! = That's none of your goddamn business! der feuchte Traum (Träume) wet dream einen feuchten Traum haben = to have a wet dream der Fick (a/the) f--k (vulgar) ein guter Fick = a good f--k, a good lay ficken to f--k, have sex (vulgar) mit jemandem ficken = to f--k s.o. NOTE: The German forms of ficken are used only in a sexual sense. Most English f-expressions are conveyed in German by the Scheiß- prefix, leck mich am Arsch (kiss my ass), or some other expression. Examples: "F--k him!" = Der kann mich doch am Arsch lecken!; "This f-ing car!" = Dieses Scheißauto!; "We were just f-ing with you." = Wir haben dich nur verarscht.; "F--k off!" = Verpiss dich!
die Flitzerkacke (teen slang) the trots, the shits, diarrhea (der Durchfall) die Flöte (-n) (vulgar slang) penis (lit., flute) flöten to give a bl-- job (lit., play the flute) flöten gehen = to get lost, disappear (verloren gehen), go down the drain (money); be killed, be destroyed, be missing in action, go for a Burton (Br.) fluchen to cuss, curse, swear, use bad language NOTE: To swear an oath (on the Bible, etc.) or take an oath is schwören. die Fotze (-n) (vulgar slang) vulva das Frauenzimmer (-) bitch, broad See Feindgruppen for a list of other feminist and ethnic slurs. das Freudenhaus (-häuser) bordello, brothel, whorehouse, cathouse die Fregatte (-n) frigate Sie ist eine Fregatte. = "She's built like a battleship/a brick sh--house." der Freier (-) client of a hooker, john der Furz (Fürze) fart der Analhusten (teen slang) = fart (lit., "anal cough") der Pups fart furzen to fart, cut one pupsen to cut one, fart Wer hat gefurzt? = "Who farted?" G gamsig (teen slang) horny, randy, lookin' to get laid geil horny This word (along with supergeil) has become slang for "cool" or "great" in German. Das ist ja geil! = "That's really cool!" ein geiler Bock = a horny/randy old goat ein geiler Wicht = dirty old man, pervert gemein common, vulgar, nasty The German word has as many different meanings as "mean" or "common" in English. der Gesäßhusten (teen slang) fart (lit., "butt cough") der Furz (Fürze) fart das Glied (-er) member, organ, tool (penis) der Gockel weeny, penis (S. Ger., baby-talk) der Godemiché (-s) dildo (with scrotum) der Dildo (-s) dildo der Gummi (-s) rubber, condom Also der Pariser H hart hard einen Harten haben have a hard-on der Hintern backside, butt, rear end jemandem in den Hintern kriechen = to suck up to s.o., brown-nose s.o. der Hinterlader back-loader; fag, queer der Hitlergruß Nazi salute (Hitler salute) A right-wing symbol of neo-Nazi groups such as the skinheads in Germany. (Any display of Nazi symbols, the swastika, Nazi flags, or Nazi-related realia is against the law in Germany.) die Hoden (pl.) testicles, balls die Eier (pl.) balls, nuts (“eggs”); bucks, euros (money) der Hodensack scrotum die Hölle hell Fahr zur Hölle! = Go to hell! Zur Hölle mit... = To hell with... Sie machte ihm das Leben zur Hölle. = She made his life a living hell. NOTE: Avoid anglicisms like was in der Hölle! Most English "hell" expressions are "Teufel" expressions in German. See: Teufel (devil). das Holz wood das Holz vor der Tür haben to have (a pair of) knockers/boobs ganz schön Holz vor der Hütte/der Tür! = what a nice pair of knockers! kein Holz vor der Hütte/der Tür = flat-chested, no knockers toller Vorbau! = what a great set of knockers! die Hure (-n) whore der Hurensohn (-söhne) bastard, son of a whore I
der Inzest incest der Itaker dago, wop, Italian (perjor.) inzestuös incestuous J die Jungfrau (-en) virgin K die Kacke caca, crap, sh-dann ist aber die Kacke am Dampfen = then the sh-- will really hit the fan die Flitzerkacke (teen slang) the sh--s, diarrhea (der Durchfall) kacken to crap, poop, sh-das Kamel (-e) twit, fathead, moron der Kameltreiber (-) dirty Arab/Turk, wog (lit., camel driver) der Kanake (-n) perjorative term for Turks and other foreigners (sim. to "wop" or "polack") die Kanakin (-nen) female Turk or other foreigner See Feindgruppen for other ethnic slurs in German. keusch chaste der Keuschheitsgürtel (-) chastity belt kesser Vater (KV) dyke, butch lesbian kiffen to smoke pot/a joint; get high (on pot) die Kiste boobs, tits; (big) butt Die hat 'ne große Kiste. = She's got big tits. Note: In some regions, this can mean a "big butt" rather than boobs. der Kitzler clit, clitoris die Klitoris clitoris der Klugscheißer know-it-all, smart ass knallen to bang, screw das Knie (-) knee in die Knie gehen to go down on s.o., give s.o. a bl-- job jemandem einen blasen to give s.o. a bl-- job, go down on s.o. der Knutschfleck (-en) hickie, love bite komisch strange, odd, funny When talking about people, avoid this word for "funny" in the sense of comical. It can also mean "odd" or "strange" and might be misunderstood. A better word: lustig. kommen to come, have an orgasm der/das Kondom condom Also known by many slang terms: Gummi, Pariser, etc. L die Latte wood slat; hard-on eine Latte haben = to have a hard-on Leck mich! Kiss my ass!/F--- you! die Lesbe (-n) lesbian (see note below) die Lesbierin (-nen) lesbian lesbisch (adj.) lesbian Also see: schwul and kesser Vater das Luder (-) minx, hussy, bitch NOTE: Words such as Lesbe or lesbisch are not generally considered "objectionable"—especially in Germany— but are included here because there are times/situations when talking about someone's sexual orientation might be considered inappropriate. M der Makkaroni (-s) dago, wop (Italian) der Makkaronifresser (-) dago, wop See Feindgruppen for a list of other ethnic slurs. die Mieze (-n) chick, babe, bird (girl); honey, sweetie die Mieze (-n) (vulgar) vulva; also pussy-cat der Mistkerl bastard, dirty swine das Miststück bastard (m.), bitch (f.) Der Mist is a mild German word meaning "dung," "manure," or "rubbish/nonsense." However, when used in some compound words (der Mistkerl, das Miststück), it is no longer fit for polite society! die Möpse (pl.) tits, boobs die Möse (-n) (vulgar) vulva die Muschi (vulgar) vulva N
nackt naked, nude NOTE: This word sounds similar to die Nacht (night). Be careful you don't mispronounce gute Nacht with a hard "k" sound and say "good naked" instead of "good night"! nageln screw, have sex with s.o. ("nail") der Neger (-) black (African) person, negro eine Negerin a black person, a negress (female) ein Neger a black person, a negro (male) "Neger" can also have negative connotations. See Feindgruppen for a list of other ethnic slurs. neunundsechzig 69 die 69-Stellung the 69-position der Nigger (-) nigger, coon die Nüsse (pl.) nuts, balls die Nutte (-n) hooker, prostitute die Nymphomanin (-nen) nymphomaniac O oben ohne topless busenfrei topless obszön obscene Old Schüttelhand masturbation This is a humorous slang term, a play on the name of the western character "Old Shatterhand" in the popular Karl May series of adventure stories. See: Karl May Books. die Onanie masturbation, onanism Named for Onan, the biblical son of Judah (Gen. 38:9). See slang terms for "masturbation" below. onanieren to masturbate This is the more formal term. The informal term is wichsen, plus many other slang words found in this glossary (see below). der Onanist masturbator der Orgasmus (-men) orgasm die Orgie (-n) orgy
GERMAN SLANG TERMS for "masturbate/masturbation": sich abzapfen, aus dem Handgelenk schütteln, den Fleischtopf rühren, den Schimmel schütteln, den Trumpf in die Hand nehmen, die Hände in den Schoß legen, die Ladung löschen, entsaften, die Handmassage, Häuptling Schnelle Vorhaut, hobeln, krumme Finger machen, Old Schüttelhand, sein eigenes Süppchen kochen, selbst ist der Mann, sich einen runterholen, sich einen von der Palme schütteln, sich entschleimen, sich Luft machen, Taschenbillard, das Übel an der Wurzel packen, wichsen. P der Pariser condom, rubber ("Parisian") der Penis (-se) penis die Pflaume (vulgar) vulva (lit., "prune") der Phallus phallus, penis das Phallussymbol (-e) phallic symbol der Piefke (PEEF-kah) Kraut, Heini, Jerry (German person) Austrians use this word as a disparaging term for a German, somewhat like the Mexican use of "gringo" for an American. Even in Germany, a Piefke is a "pompous idiot," so it is not a word to be used lightly. Ein kleiner Piefke is a "little pipsqueak." pinkeln to pee, go pee-pee (children's talk) die Pinkelpause (-n) toilet break/stop der Pimmel tool, johnson, willy (penis) der Piss piss die Pisse piss pissen to piss, pee sich verpissen = to piss off, f--- off der Po bottom, behind, butt das Polster (-) cushion, upholstery; flab, beer belly, "spare tire" Er hat ein ganz schönes Polster am Hintern. = He's got a fat behind. Sie ist gut gepolstert. = She's well stacked. das Präservativ condom, rubber primitiv crude, crudely; primitive, primitively Sei nicht so primitiv! = Don't be so crude! die Puderdose "honey pot," vulva (lit., "powder compact")
der Puff bordello, brothel, whorehouse, cathouse der Pup(s) (-e) stinky fart (odor), rude noise/fart pupsen to fart, let one go R die Regel period, menstruation die Regel haben = to have one's period, menstruate das Rindvieh (-viecher) bovine, cattle; ass, schmuck, moron die Rotznase (-n) little snot, prick rumbeißen (slang) to French kiss, play tonsil tennis runterholen to get/fetch down jemandem einen runterholen = to jerk s.o. off, wank s.o. off sich einen runterholen = to jerk off, wank off (oneself) rutsch mir den Buckel runter go to hell, get lost S der Sack (Säcke) bag, sac, sack; scrotum, balls (testicles); bastard, bugger, sod ein fauler Sack a lazy bum, lazy bastard/bugger (degree of harshness depends on circumstances/tone of voice) eine faule Socke a lazy bum (less harsh than "fauler Sack") Es/Er geht mir auf den Sack. It's/He's a pain in the ass. der Sadomaso S&M, sadomasochism der Samen sperm, semen der Samenerguss cum, ejaculation, seminal discharge die Samenflüssigkeit cum, ejaculation, seminal discharge die Sau sow, bitch, bastard alte Landsau stupid old bitch, dumb bastard (lit., old country sow) Also see "Schwein" below! Sau- prefix bloody, damn, lousy die Sauarbeit damned/bloody/lousy work das Sauwetter damned/bloody/lousy weather saugen to suck; to vacuum The German word is here only because English-speakers tend to think—erroneously—it can be used for "that sucks." To say something "sucks" (is bad), see "Scheiße" below. die Scham shame; private parts, genitals, vulva (fem.) das Schamhaar pubic hair die Schamlippen labia, lips of the vulva scharf hot, horny, sexually aroused Ich bin scharf auf ihn. I have the hots for him. die Scheide (-n) vagina The Rammstein song lyric "bis der Tod der Scheide" is a play on this word and the phrase "bis der Tod euch scheidet" (till death you do part) in their song "Du hast." See full lyrics. der Scheiß / die Scheiße sh--, crap, damn, bloody (Br.) It is important to know that the German and English versions of the s-word are not always equal. The English subtitles of German movies often mistranslate the German expletive Scheiße! Its use in German is frequently closer to English "Damn!" or "Dammit!" To say "This town really sucks," you could say: Diese Stadt ist echt Scheiße. Although it sometimes isn't as strong a curse word as English "Sh--!" that doesn't mean you should casually use Scheiße! in German. An expression such as Dieses Scheißauto! could mean "This f-ing car!" or "This damned car!" - depending on how it is said and by whom. There is nothing more pathetic than an Englishspeaker using "bad" German words he/she really doesn't understand. Scheiß- prefix lousy, sh--ty, bloody (Br.), crappy, damned (thing) This prefix, like its cousin above, often should be translated as "damned" (thing), or something more mild than you might think. For instance, when a German says So ein Scheißwetter!, it only means that the weather is really bad: "Such awful weather!" By the same token, Diese Scheißpolitiker! means "These damned politicians!" (a universal complaint). Also see "Sau-". scheißegal adj. of no damned importance Das ist mir (doch) scheißegal! I don't (really) give a damn/f---/sh-- (about that)! scheißen to sh--, crap Du scheißt mich an! You're sh---in' me!/You're a pain in the ass! Ich scheiß' d'rauf! I don't give a damn/f---/sh-- (about that)! der Scheißkerl bastard, son-of-a-bitch, motherf---er das Schlitzauge (-n) chink, gook, slant-eye schwanger pregnant der Schwanz cock, prick, dick; tail (end) (lit. "tail" of animal) der Schwanzlutscher c---sucker
der Schwarze (-n) black person, negro eine Schwarze a black person, a negress (f.) ein Schwarzer a black person, a negro (m.) das Schwein pig, bastard, son of a bitch, swine This is one of the worst words in German! NEVER use it (or its compounds) unless you know what you're doing, and probably not even then! Ironically, Schwein haben means to be lucky: Wir haben Schwein gehabt. = We were lucky. (We came out smelling like a rose.) Schweine-/Schweins- (prefix) dirty, lousy (something/someone) der Schweinehund/der Schweinekerl bastard, swine die Schweinerei (-en) mess, scandal; dirty trick; indecent act, dirt, filth So eine Schweinerei! How disgusting!/What a dirty trick! schwul (adj.) gay, homosexual (see note below) der Schwule (-n) gay man, male homosexual ein Schwuler a gay man, a male homosexual NOTE: Do not confuse schwul (gay) with schwül (humid, muggy). The umlaut over the u is important. - Also see: Lesbe and kesser Vater. NOTE: Words such as schwul or Schwule are not generally considered "objectionable"—especially in Germany —but are included here because there are times when talking about someone's sexual orientation might be considered inappropriate. die Selbstbefriedigung masturbation der Sex sex sexaktiv sexually active der Sexist sexist der Sexismus sexism die Sexualität sexuality sexuell sexual die Soße come/cum (normally, sauce, gravy) das Sperma sperm das Spermizid spermicide der Ständer hard-on einen Ständer bekommen / haben to get / have a hard-on NOTE: This word also has the non-slang meaning of 'stand' or 'rack' in an office or home setting. The German title for the "Austin Powers" spy spoof Goldmember (2002) was "Goldständer." der Strich prostitution; red-light district auf den Strich gehen to be a prostitute, ply her / his wares der Stricher male prostitute, rent boy der Bubistrich male prostitution; male red-light district die Stricherin female prostitute, hooker, tart der Strichjunge male prostitute, rent boy das Strichmädchen female prostitute, hooker, tart T tätscheln to neck, pet, make out (lit., to pat) der Teufel devil Zum Teufel! = "Dammit!" Wer zum Teufel hat das gemacht? = "Who the hell did that?" Der Teufel soll mich holen, wenn... = "I'll be damned if..." Geh zum Teufel! = "Go to hell!" Hol dich der Teufel! = "Go to hell!" Scher dich zum Teufel! = "Go to hell!" Der Teufel wird los sein. = "The s--t's gonna hit the fan." "All hell's gonna break lose." Also see: Hölle (hell) der Testikel (-) testicle die Hoden (pl.) testicles There are many German slang words for "testicles," including Eier, Nüsse, and others found in this glossary. die Titten tits, boobs, knockers große Dinger = big boobs ("big things") ein toller Vorbau = a great set of knockers der Traum (Träume) dream einen feuchten Traum haben to have a wet dream der Tripper gonorrhea, clap, crabs sich den Tripper holen to get a dose of the clap die Tunte (-n) fairy, queen (gay man with feminine look) U
das Ufer shore, bank (of river) vom anderen Ufer = gay, homosexual (lit., "from the other shore") unanständig dirty, obscene, indecent; improper, rude, ill-mannered unanständige Wörter gebrauchen = to use four-letter words, bad language die Unanständigkeit (-en) dirty joke, obscenity Unanständigkeiten erzählen = to tell dirty jokes die Unaussprechlichen (pl.) one's unmentionables (humorous) unbefleckt/unberührt untouched, pure, virginal, undefiled (Jungfrau) unberührt in die Ehe gehen = to be a virgin when one marries unbekleidet unclothed, naked üppig voluptuous, big-breasted; ample, abundant der Urin urine urinieren urinate pissen to (take a) piss V die Vagina vagina die Scheide vagina verarschen to make a fool of, screw/f--- with (someone) verdammt damned, bloody Verdammt! = Damn!/Dammit! Verdammt noch mal! = Damn it all!/Damn it to hell!/Bloody hell! (Br.) Verdammter Mist! = Goddamn it!/Sod it! (Br.) verflucht! damn! Verflucht noch mal! = "For chrissake!"/"Goddamn it!" vergewaltigen to rape die Vergewaltigung (-en) rape (sich) verpissen to piss off, f---/sod off, get lost Verpiss dich! = "Get the hell outta here!" - "Piss off!" vögeln to have sex, screw der Vorbau (set of) knockers, breasts ganz schön Holz vor der Hütte!/der Tür = what a nice pair of knockers! kein Holz vor der Hütte/der Tür = flat-chested, no knockers toller Vorbau! = what a great set of knockers! die Vorhaut foreskin vulgär vulgar, dirty ordinär vulgar, dirty die Vulgärität vulgarity die Vulva vulva As in English, there are many vulgar slang terms for vulva in German. See Fotze and other terms in this glossary. W warmer Bruder gay man, homosexual (lit. "warm brother") das Weib (-er) broad das Weibstück (-e) bitch See Feindgruppen for a list of other feminist and ethnic slurs. das Weichei wimp (lit. "soft egg") weißer Spiesser WASP ("White Anglo-Saxon Protestant") wichsen to jerk off, masturbate der Wichser jerk-off, wanker Z die Ziege (-n) bitch, cow (woman); lit. goat See Feindgruppen for a list of other feminist and ethnic slurs. die Zirkumzision/die Beschneidung circumcision NOTE: Only about 15 percent of German men are circumcised, compared to about 80 percent in the U.S., or 40 percent in Canada and Australia. (Source: EuroCirc - www.eurocirc.org) die Zuckerstange (slang) penis ("candy cane") der Zuhälter (-) pimp der Zungenkuss French kiss der Zwitter hermaphrodite zwitterhaft androgynous
