A Short Guide to German Jugendsprache/Slang
Jugendsprache (youth language) in Germany is the slang and expressions mostly used by younger Germans. Jugendsprache is ever evolving as it is mainly influenced by social media, much like the slang and trends in the United States--many of which also make their way to Germany. The fact that so many American/English trends/words become popularized and integrated into the vocabularies of younger Germans further exposes Germans to English and in many cases helps to spark interest in the English language and in American culture.
Categories of Jugendsprache I鈥檝e Heard
Anglicisms: Borrowing from English. Sometimes, but not always, with altered meanings.
-cringe (embarrassing or awkward, same as in English).
-random (unexpected or strange, roughly the same as its meaning in English slang).
-safe (definitely, for sure, absolutely)
-baddie (same as English)
Abbreviations and Acronyms: Shortened forms of words or phrases.
-YOLO (You Only Live Once, also an anglicism),
-kp (kein Plan, "no idea").
-hdl (hab dich lieb, 鈥淚 love you鈥)
Cultural References: Phrases inspired by memes, social media, trends.
-Digger or Digga (colloquial for bro or dude and popularized by hip-hop culture).
-Bre or Brudi (bro or dude, largely influenced by German rap artists like Capital Bra and Haftbefehl)
German Words used Ironically/Sarcastically:
-Ehrenmann or Ehrenfrau (literally "honorable man/woman," used to describe someone who did something kind, almost always sarcastic).
Some more Jugendsprache:
"Schischi"
Meaning: Fancy or over-the-top (sometimes used sarcastically).
Example: "Der Club war echt Schischi, aber lustig."
("The club was really fancy, but fun.")
"Stabil"
Meaning: Cool, impressive, solid.
Example: "Das neue Album ist richtig stabil!"
("The new album is really impressive!")
"No front"
Meaning: "No offense," often used before or after a critique.
Example: "No front, aber dein Outfit ist echt wild."
("No offense, but your outfit is really wild.")
"Lost"
Meaning: Clueless or out of it (anglicism).
Example: "Ich war so lost in der Mathe-Klausur."
("I was so lost in the math exam.")
"Wild"
Meaning: Same as in English slang.
Example: "Die Party gestern war wild!"
("The party yesterday was wild!")
"Mashallah"
Meaning: An Arabic term meaning "God has willed it," used by German youth as slang to compliment something impressive or attractive.
Example: "Dein Auto ist Mashallah!"
("Your car is amazing!")
"Sus"
Meaning: Suspicious or shady (from "Among Us" you already know).
Example: "Das war echt sus, was er gesagt hat."
("That was really suspicious, what he said.")
"Auf Cringe"
Meaning: Doing something in an embarrassing way.
Example: "Er tanzt immer auf Cringe in der 脰ffentlichkeit."
("He always dances awkwardly in public.")
"G枚nn dir"
Meaning: "Treat yourself," often used as encouragement.
Example: "Ich hab mir heute einen D枚ner geholt 鈥 g枚nn dir!"
("I got myself a D枚ner today 鈥 treat yourself!")
Related Posts
Winter into Spring
Catching You Up It鈥檚 been an amazing 鈥 and busy 鈥 past few months! The winter flew by, and honestly, I鈥檓 happy it鈥檚 behind me. Riding my bike to school... keep reading
Karneval!! (Inside Germany's Craziest Festival)
The festival known as Karneval in North Germany, and Fasching or Fastnacht in South Germany, can also be called the 鈥渇ifth season鈥 because it is simply a time unlike any... keep reading
Tulip Season, Bonfires, and Saying Goodbye to Winter (Finally!!)
Winter is FINALLY over. After months (roughly from November to early April) of cloudy skies, cold weather, and an average of one downpour a day in the northern region of... keep reading