Top German Slang Words & Phrases

Familiarize yourself with slang and you’ll sound like a local! Let’s face it, not everyone goes around speaking Hochdeutch (high German) so the more slang you learn, the more you’ll understand and be understood! Incorporate these keys words and phrases into your repertoire to help you get started on the right path:

This one essentially means well, as in “Well? What do you have to say for yourself?” or “Well, do you think we should paint the livingroom beige?” You may also hear it with an added und as in Na und? It’s an informal and common way to greet people that you know, without expecting a response.

A regional greeting most commonly heard in cities throughout Northern Germany, such as Bremen and Hamburg. It’s the word Morgen (meaning “morning) shortened. You’ll often hear the word repeated twice near the Danish border –”Moin moin!”–as a casual greeting. Although the word specifically refers to the morning, you can use this greeting at any time of the day.

We covered two greetings, so now let’s move onto goodbyes. This is a bit like saying, “Have a good one!” and the translation fits, as it means “make it good.”

Yes, we did just tell you the word for “greased dachshund.” Although it may conjure up a rather odd image, this word is beyond useful with this day and age’s “selfie” epidemic. Use this word to refer to someone who is full of himself and just straight-up egotistical.

This phrase is a bit like the English phrase, “Are you shittin’ me?” and is used when you don’t necessarily believe something that someone has told you. This could be because this person lies to you often, or because it just seems too good to be true. If you want to switch it around, you can say Ich habe dich verarscht, or “I’m shittin’ you!”

Assi is short for asozial, meaning “antisocial”. Use it to describe someone who simply has no clue how to behave in public. Those people who drive you up the wall with annoying or irritating behaviour, fit the moniker of assi!

This is a strange one, and it essentially means agreeing with someone or planning an outing. You can say it when you come to an agreement or something is decided, but make sure you conjugate the verb sein depending on tense and the noun it’s describing.

Not as strong as calling someone an a-hole, but almost there. Arschgeige is a word you can use to describe someone who is a bit stupid and rude and has intentionally done something to make you angry.

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Sometimes slang can feel a bit daunting to master. That being said, regardless of your level of German, it is totally feasible to incorporate some slang into your vocabulary. We even have courses to help you sound more like a native speaker, so contact us and see what’s available near you!