In the vibrant world of German language, slang plays a crucial role, especially among teenagers. German youth culture is rich with unique expressions and colloquial terms that might leave even seasoned language learners scratching their heads. Below are some popular German slang terms used by teenagers today, which can help you sound more like a native and less like a textbook!
Alter
“Alter” is a very common slang term in German, equivalent to “dude” or “bro” in English. It’s often used to express surprise, irritation, or for emphasis, and can be directed at someone or used in general conversation.
Alter, hast du das wirklich gemacht?
Krass
“Krass” is used to describe something that is extreme or intense. It can be both positive or negative, similar to the English slang “crazy” or “insane.”
Das ist echt krass, wie gut du Deutsch sprichst!
Tja
“Tja” is a word that expresses resignation or acceptance, often used when there is nothing one can do about a situation. It translates closely to “well” or “so” in English.
Tja, das war wohl nichts!
Geil
While “geil” originally means “horny,” it’s commonly used by teenagers to mean “cool” or “awesome.” It’s a versatile adjective that can describe anything from events, people, to objects.
Dein neues Fahrrad ist echt geil!
Assi
Derived from “asozial,” which means antisocial, “Assi” is used to describe someone behaving in an uncouth or unsophisticated manner. It can also be used to describe something of low quality.
Er benimmt sich total assi, wenn er betrunken ist.
Hammer
“Hammer” is used to describe something that is outstanding or excellent. It’s akin to saying “amazing” or “incredible” in English.
Die Party gestern war der Hammer!
Läuft bei dir
“Läuft bei dir” translates to “things are going well for you” or “you’re doing great.” It’s often used either genuinely or sarcastically depending on the context.
Du hast schon wieder eine Eins bekommen? Läuft bei dir!
Mies
“Mies” is the slang for “bad” or “awful.” It’s used to describe negative situations or feelings.
Das Wetter heute ist echt mies.
Null Bock
“Null Bock” literally means “zero desire” and is used to express a complete lack of interest or motivation to do something. It’s similar to the English phrase “I can’t be bothered.”
Ich habe null Bock auf Schule morgen.
Digga
“Digga” comes from “Dicker,” which means “thick” or “chubby,” but is used among friends similarly to “dude” or “mate” in English. It’s a term of endearment or casual address among peers.
Digga, kommst du heute Abend mit raus?
Safe
“Safe” is used in the same way as in English, to affirm something with certainty. It often replaces “sicher” in casual conversation among teens.
Das kannst du safe machen.
Babo
“Babo” means “boss.” It was popularized by a German rapper and is used to refer to someone who is dominant or in charge in a particular situation.
Er ist der Babo in der Schule.
Stressen
“Stressen” means “to stress” or “to hassle.” When someone is being overly annoying or nagging, this term comes into play.
Hör auf zu stressen, ich mach es gleich!
Verschlimmbessern
“Verschlimmbessern” is a humorous compound word that combines “verschlimmern” (to make worse) and “verbessern” (to improve), used when an attempt to improve something actually makes it worse.
Ich wollte den Computer reparieren, aber habe ihn nur verschlimmbessert.
By familiarizing yourself with these slang terms, you’ll be better equipped to understand and engage in conversations with German-speaking teenagers. Not only will this enhance your language skills, but it will also give you a deeper insight into contemporary German youth culture.
