Language
German swear words
A guide to swearing in German: 88 words and phrases from the Swear Atlas catalogue, organised from mild to strong and explained in plain English. Every entry links to its full page with meaning, pronunciation and a 1–5 Burn Rating.
Common German swear words
The recognisable everyday expressions, with what each one actually means.
- Pimmel This is a childlike or slang term for 'penis' and can sometimes be used as an insult. It's generally less offensive than harsher sexual terms. 2/5 · Coarse
- verdammt It's an exclamation or intensifier similar to 'damn' or 'damned.' 2/5 · Coarse
- Bauerntrampel It's an insult for someone seen as uncouth or clumsy, often implying they lack sophistication. Literally, it translates to 'farmer's clumsy person.' 2/5 · Coarse
- besoffen It means very drunk, and it's expressed in a coarse manner. It's a more casual way to describe someone's inebriated state. 2/5 · Coarse
- Blödmann It's an insult for someone considered foolish or stupid. Literally, it translates to 'stupid man.' 2/5 · Coarse
- Bonze It's a derogatory term for a wealthy or powerful person, often used to criticize their status. 2/5 · Coarse
- brunzen It means to urinate, specifically in a coarse regional sense. It's a more casual way to say 'piss' in certain German-speaking areas. 2/5 · Coarse
- Depp It's an insult for someone considered an idiot or fool. The literal translation is 'fool.' 2/5 · Coarse
Milder expressions
Gentler exclamations and everyday grumbles.
- Erbsenzähler Literally “pea counter”. This refers to someone who is overly meticulous or pedantic, often nitpicking small details. The literal sense comes from the image of someone counting peas, which highlights their fussiness. 1/5 · Mild
- Esel It's a mild insult used to call someone a fool. Literally, it means 'donkey', which reflects a common stereotype of donkeys being foolish. 1/5 · Mild
- Lümmel It's a mild insult for a cheeky or ill-mannered young person, often used in a somewhat playful way. Literally, it translates to 'rascal.' 1/5 · Mild
- Mist Literally “manure”. It's a mild exclamation of frustration, similar to saying 'shit' in English, and can also refer to rubbish or nonsense. 1/5 · Mild
- pinkeln Literally “urinate”. This is an informal way to say 'to pee' in German. It's a straightforward term for urination, without any harsh connotations. 1/5 · Mild
- Popel It's a mild term for a bogey or booger, referring to nasal mucus. Not particularly offensive, just a bit childish. 1/5 · Mild
- Tölpel Literally “booby bird”. It's an insult for someone who's clumsy or foolish, like calling them a simpleton. The literal translation refers to a type of bird known for its awkwardness. 1/5 · Mild
- Bauerntrampel It's an insult for someone seen as uncouth or clumsy, often implying they lack sophistication. Literally, it translates to 'farmer's clumsy person.' 2/5 · Coarse
Stronger stuff
The heavier end of the scale — handle with care.
- Mutterficker Literally “mother fucker”. This is a very strong personal insult, akin to calling someone a motherfucker in English. It's often used formulaically rather than as a literal accusation. 5/5 · Extreme
- Arschloch It's a vulgar insult for someone who's being obnoxious or an arsehole. Literally, it translates to 'anus.' 4/5 · Strong
- Fick It refers to sexual intercourse, but it's often used in a vulgar context. The grammar can change its meaning, especially when used in commands. 4/5 · Strong
- fick dich This means 'fuck yourself' and serves as a strong way to dismiss someone with hostility. 4/5 · Strong
- ficken It means to have sex, but it's used in a very explicit way. It's a direct and crude term for fucking. 4/5 · Strong
- fickt euch Literally “fuck yourselves”. This is a strong way to tell a group of people to 'fuck off' or dismiss them harshly. It's a direct insult aimed at multiple individuals. 4/5 · Strong
- Flachwichser This is a strong insult aimed at someone seen as incompetent or contemptible. It derives from a compound word related to masturbation, adding a layer of disdain. 4/5 · Strong
- gefickt It means screwed or in serious trouble. While it can literally mean fucked in a sexual sense, it's often used more idiomatically. 4/5 · Strong
German insults
Words aimed at a person rather than shouted at the world.
- Mutterficker Literally “mother fucker”. This is a very strong personal insult, akin to calling someone a motherfucker in English. It's often used formulaically rather than as a literal accusation. 5/5 · Extreme
- Arschloch It's a vulgar insult for someone who's being obnoxious or an arsehole. Literally, it translates to 'anus.' 4/5 · Strong
- fick dich This means 'fuck yourself' and serves as a strong way to dismiss someone with hostility. 4/5 · Strong
- fickt euch Literally “fuck yourselves”. This is a strong way to tell a group of people to 'fuck off' or dismiss them harshly. It's a direct insult aimed at multiple individuals. 4/5 · Strong
- Flachwichser This is a strong insult aimed at someone seen as incompetent or contemptible. It derives from a compound word related to masturbation, adding a layer of disdain. 4/5 · Strong
- leck mich am Arsch Literally “lick me on the arse”. This is a strong way to dismiss someone or express disbelief, akin to saying 'fuck off' in English. It's not meant to be taken literally as a sexual request. 4/5 · Strong
- Stück Scheiße It's a strong insult used to express contempt for someone, essentially calling them a worthless piece of shit. 4/5 · Strong
- Wichser It's an insult that translates to 'person who masturbates,' akin to calling someone a wanker. It's not usually a literal accusation about someone's sexual habits. 4/5 · Strong
Expressions & phrases
Multi-word expressions and set phrases.
- Arsch mit Ohren This is a humorous insult for someone who's annoying or unpleasant, essentially calling them an 'arse with ears.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- dumme Sau It's an insult for someone perceived as foolish or stupid. Literally, it translates to 'stupid sow.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- Gott verdammt Literally “God condemn”. It's a religious exclamation similar to 'goddamn.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- fick dich This means 'fuck yourself' and serves as a strong way to dismiss someone with hostility. 4/5 · Strong
- fickt euch Literally “fuck yourselves”. This is a strong way to tell a group of people to 'fuck off' or dismiss them harshly. It's a direct insult aimed at multiple individuals. 4/5 · Strong
- leck mich am Arsch Literally “lick me on the arse”. This is a strong way to dismiss someone or express disbelief, akin to saying 'fuck off' in English. It's not meant to be taken literally as a sexual request. 4/5 · Strong
- Stück Scheiße It's a strong insult used to express contempt for someone, essentially calling them a worthless piece of shit. 4/5 · Strong
How to pronounce them
An English-friendly “sounds like” cue for each.
- Erbsenzähler Sounds like “AIR-bsen TAY-ler”. 1/5 · Mild
- Esel Sounds like “AY zel”. 1/5 · Mild
- Lümmel Sounds like “LOOM-el”. 1/5 · Mild
- Mist Sounds like “mist”. 1/5 · Mild
- pinkeln Sounds like “PIN-keln”. 1/5 · Mild
- Popel Sounds like “POH-pel”. 1/5 · Mild
- Tölpel Sounds like “TUL-pel”. 1/5 · Mild
- Bauerntrampel Sounds like “BOW-ern-TRAM-pel”. 2/5 · Coarse
Curious literal translations
What these expressions say word-for-word, versus what they really mean.
- Erbsenzähler Literally “pea counter” — This refers to someone who is overly meticulous or pedantic, often nitpicking small details. The literal sense comes from the image of someone counting peas, which highlights their fussiness. 1/5 · Mild
- Mist Literally “manure” — It's a mild exclamation of frustration, similar to saying 'shit' in English, and can also refer to rubbish or nonsense. 1/5 · Mild
- pinkeln Literally “urinate” — This is an informal way to say 'to pee' in German. It's a straightforward term for urination, without any harsh connotations. 1/5 · Mild
- Tölpel Literally “booby bird” — It's an insult for someone who's clumsy or foolish, like calling them a simpleton. The literal translation refers to a type of bird known for its awkwardness. 1/5 · Mild
- Fiesling Literally “nasty person” — This refers to a mean or underhanded person, essentially calling someone nasty. It's a straightforward insult without any obscenity involved. 2/5 · Coarse
- geil Literally “lustful” — It can mean both 'horny' and 'excellent' or 'cool' in casual conversation. The context usually determines which meaning is intended. 2/5 · Coarse
- Idiot Literally “idiot” — It's a direct insult for someone perceived as foolish or stupid. 2/5 · Coarse
- kacken Literally “defecate” — It means to crap or take a shit. It's a straightforward term for defecation. 2/5 · Coarse
How strong is German swearing?
Burn Rating spread across all 88 German entries (1 = mild, 5 = extreme).
- 1 · Mild 7
- 2 · Coarse 33
- 3 · Vulgar 36
- 4 · Strong 11
- 5 · Extreme 1
All German words A–Z
A
- Affenarsch It's a humorous insult aimed at someone's character or behavior, likening them to a monkey's backside. The literal translation is 'monkey arse,' which adds a playful tone to the insult. 3/5 · Vulgar
- angeschissen It means being screwed or in serious trouble. The literal sense refers to being shat on, which adds a layer of insult. 3/5 · Vulgar
- Arsch This is a slang term for the backside, but it’s often used to insult someone, implying they’re a jerk or unpleasant. The literal translation is 'buttocks.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- Arsch mit Ohren This is a humorous insult for someone who's annoying or unpleasant, essentially calling them an 'arse with ears.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- Arschgeige This is a humorous way to call someone an annoying idiot, implying they're as useless as a violin made for your arse. It's not meant to be taken literally. 3/5 · Vulgar
- Arschgesicht It's a vulgar insult aimed at someone, essentially calling them an 'arse face.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- Arschkriecher It's an insult for someone who flatters others to gain favor, like a sycophant or brown-noser. The literal translation, 'arse crawler,' adds a vivid imagery of servility. 3/5 · Vulgar
- Arschlecker It's an insult for someone who flatters others excessively, often to gain favor. Literally, it translates to 'arse licker.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- Arschloch It's a vulgar insult for someone who's being obnoxious or an arsehole. Literally, it translates to 'anus.' 4/5 · Strong
B
- Bastard It's an insult for someone considered nasty or contemptible. The literal meaning refers to someone born outside of marriage, which carries a stigma. 3/5 · Vulgar
- Bauerntrampel It's an insult for someone seen as uncouth or clumsy, often implying they lack sophistication. Literally, it translates to 'farmer's clumsy person.' 2/5 · Coarse
- beschissen It means something is shitty, awful, or unfair. Literally, it translates to 'shat on.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- besoffen It means very drunk, and it's expressed in a coarse manner. It's a more casual way to describe someone's inebriated state. 2/5 · Coarse
- Blödmann It's an insult for someone considered foolish or stupid. Literally, it translates to 'stupid man.' 2/5 · Coarse
- Bonze It's a derogatory term for a wealthy or powerful person, often used to criticize their status. 2/5 · Coarse
- brunzen It means to urinate, specifically in a coarse regional sense. It's a more casual way to say 'piss' in certain German-speaking areas. 2/5 · Coarse
- bumsen It means to have sex in a very blunt way. The literal translation refers to a banging sound, which fits the action. 3/5 · Vulgar
D
- Depp It's an insult for someone considered an idiot or fool. The literal translation is 'fool.' 2/5 · Coarse
- Dödel It's a light-hearted insult for someone acting foolish, and it can also refer to a penis in a casual way. The context can shift based on regional use. 2/5 · Coarse
- Dreck It's a dismissive term for something worthless or rubbish. While it literally means 'dirt', that's not how it's used here. 2/5 · Coarse
- Drecksack It's an insult for someone who's nasty or dishonest. Literally, it translates to 'dirt bag.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- Drecksau It's a coarse insult aimed at someone considered filthy or contemptible. Literally, it translates to 'dirty sow.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- Drecksbalg It's a coarse insult used to refer to a troublesome child, implying they're dirty or unruly. The literal translation is 'dirty brat.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- Dreckskerl It's an insult aimed at a nasty man or scoundrel. The literal translation is 'dirty fellow.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- dumme Sau It's an insult for someone perceived as foolish or stupid. Literally, it translates to 'stupid sow.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- Dummkopf It means fool or idiot, referring to someone who is acting stupidly. The literal translation is 'stupid head.' 2/5 · Coarse
- Dumpfbacke It's a comic insult aimed at someone perceived as dim-witted. The literal translation, 'dull cheek,' adds a playful twist to the insult. 2/5 · Coarse
E
- Erbsenzähler This refers to someone who is overly meticulous or pedantic, often nitpicking small details. The literal sense comes from the image of someone counting peas, which highlights their fussiness. 1/5 · Mild
- Esel It's a mild insult used to call someone a fool. Literally, it means 'donkey', which reflects a common stereotype of donkeys being foolish. 1/5 · Mild
- Evolutionsbremse It's a mocking insult for someone perceived as exceptionally foolish, implying they're hindering progress or intelligence. The literal translation, 'evolution brake,' adds a humorous twist. 2/5 · Coarse
F
- Ferkel It's an insult for someone who is dirty or has a dirty mind. While it literally means 'piglet', the connotation is more about being unclean or sleazy. 2/5 · Coarse
- Fick It refers to sexual intercourse, but it's often used in a vulgar context. The grammar can change its meaning, especially when used in commands. 4/5 · Strong
- fick dich This means 'fuck yourself' and serves as a strong way to dismiss someone with hostility. 4/5 · Strong
- ficken It means to have sex, but it's used in a very explicit way. It's a direct and crude term for fucking. 4/5 · Strong
- fickt euch This is a strong way to tell a group of people to 'fuck off' or dismiss them harshly. It's a direct insult aimed at multiple individuals. 4/5 · Strong
- Fiesling This refers to a mean or underhanded person, essentially calling someone nasty. It's a straightforward insult without any obscenity involved. 2/5 · Coarse
- Flachwichser This is a strong insult aimed at someone seen as incompetent or contemptible. It derives from a compound word related to masturbation, adding a layer of disdain. 4/5 · Strong
- furzegal It means something is completely irrelevant or not cared about. The literal translation is 'fart indifferent', which adds a humorous twist to the phrase. 2/5 · Coarse
G
- gefickt It means screwed or in serious trouble. While it can literally mean fucked in a sexual sense, it's often used more idiomatically. 4/5 · Strong
- geil It can mean both 'horny' and 'excellent' or 'cool' in casual conversation. The context usually determines which meaning is intended. 2/5 · Coarse
- Gott verdammt It's a religious exclamation similar to 'goddamn.' 3/5 · Vulgar
H
- Hackfresse It's a coarse insult aimed at someone's face, implying that they have an unpleasant or unattractive appearance. Think of it as calling someone a 'mug' or 'ugly mug' in English. 3/5 · Vulgar
- Hornochse It's a comic insult for someone who is a complete fool or idiot. The literal translation refers to a 'horned ox,' which adds a humorous touch. 2/5 · Coarse
K
- Kacke It means crap, often used to describe something of poor quality. The literal translation is excrement, but it's not as harsh as other terms for shit. 2/5 · Coarse
- kacken It means to crap or take a shit. It's a straightforward term for defecation. 2/5 · Coarse
- Kackfresse This is a personal insult that translates to 'shit face,' used to demean someone, often focusing on their appearance or simply expressing contempt. 3/5 · Vulgar
- Kackstelze It's a comedic insult for someone unpleasant, akin to calling someone a 'dick' in English. Literally, it translates to 'shit stilt,' but that doesn't quite capture its playful tone. 3/5 · Vulgar
- Kackwurst It's a coarse term for a turd, often used as a childish insult. Think of it as calling someone a 'shit sausage.' 2/5 · Coarse
L
- leck mich am Arsch This is a strong way to dismiss someone or express disbelief, akin to saying 'fuck off' in English. It's not meant to be taken literally as a sexual request. 4/5 · Strong
- Lümmel It's a mild insult for a cheeky or ill-mannered young person, often used in a somewhat playful way. Literally, it translates to 'rascal.' 1/5 · Mild
M
- Maul It's a coarse term for someone's mouth, often used in a derogatory sense. Literally, it translates to 'muzzle.' 2/5 · Coarse
- Mist It's a mild exclamation of frustration, similar to saying 'shit' in English, and can also refer to rubbish or nonsense. 1/5 · Mild
- Mistkerl It's an insult for a nasty or unpleasant person. Literally, it translates to 'dung fellow.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- Mutterficker This is a very strong personal insult, akin to calling someone a motherfucker in English. It's often used formulaically rather than as a literal accusation. 5/5 · Extreme
N
P
- Pimmel This is a childlike or slang term for 'penis' and can sometimes be used as an insult. It's generally less offensive than harsher sexual terms. 2/5 · Coarse
- pimpern It means to have sex, often used in a lighthearted or humorous way. 3/5 · Vulgar
- pinkeln This is an informal way to say 'to pee' in German. It's a straightforward term for urination, without any harsh connotations. 1/5 · Mild
- Pisse It means piss, referring to urine in a coarse way. It's a straightforward term for bodily waste. 2/5 · Coarse
- pissen It means to urinate, used in a straightforward way. It's a coarse term for taking a piss. 2/5 · Coarse
- Pisser It's an insult for someone you find contemptible or despicable. Although it literally means 'person who urinates,' that meaning is rarely the point when used as an insult. 3/5 · Vulgar
- Pissnelke It's a coarse insult for someone who's annoying or irritating. The literal translation is 'piss carnation,' but that doesn't really matter here. 3/5 · Vulgar
- Popel It's a mild term for a bogey or booger, referring to nasal mucus. Not particularly offensive, just a bit childish. 1/5 · Mild
- poppen It means to have sex, used informally and rather coarsely. The term can also refer to the act of popping in other contexts, but here it's all about the bedroom. 3/5 · Vulgar
- Prolet It's an insult for someone seen as vulgar or uncultured, often implying a lack of refinement. Literally, it refers to a proletarian, but in this context, it's more about social class than politics. 2/5 · Coarse
S
- Sackgesicht It's a vulgar insult aimed at someone, suggesting they have a face that resembles a scrotum. It's not meant to be taken literally but rather to demean the person. 3/5 · Vulgar
- Sauhund It's a coarse insult for someone considered a scoundrel or a rogue. Literally, it translates to 'sow dog.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- Saukerl It's a coarse insult aimed at a nasty man, similar to calling someone a 'bastard' or 'asshole' in English. Literally, it translates to 'pig fellow.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- Scheiße It means 'shit' and is often used to express frustration or describe something negative. Literally, it translates to 'excrement.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- scheißen It means to shit, used as a straightforward verb for defecation. It can also pop up in dismissive phrases. 3/5 · Vulgar
- Scheißkerl This is a vulgar insult that translates to 'shit fellow,' used similarly to 'bastard.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- Schiss It refers to an act of defecation but is commonly used to mean fear, especially in the phrase 'Schiss haben' (to be scared). 2/5 · Coarse
- Schisser This is an insult used to call someone a coward. It literally translates to 'person who shits', but that's not meant to be taken literally. 2/5 · Coarse
- Schwanz It’s a crude term for penis, often used in a casual or joking manner. Literally, it means 'tail' but in this context, it’s definitely not innocent. 3/5 · Vulgar
- Schwanzkopf It's a vulgar insult equivalent to calling someone a dickhead. The literal translation is 'penis head,' but that's not how it's typically used. 3/5 · Vulgar
- seichen It means to urinate, specifically in a coarse, regional way. It's essentially a slang term for piss. 2/5 · Coarse
- Stück Scheiße It's a strong insult used to express contempt for someone, essentially calling them a worthless piece of shit. 4/5 · Strong
T
V
- verdammt It's an exclamation or intensifier similar to 'damn' or 'damned.' 2/5 · Coarse
- verfickt It's a vulgar intensifier similar to 'fucking' in English, used to add emphasis. It literally translates to 'fucked.' 4/5 · Strong
- vögeln It means to have sex. It's a vulgar term, not to be confused with the ordinary noun for birds. 3/5 · Vulgar
- Vollidiot It's an emphatic insult for someone who is being a complete fool. Literally, it translates to 'complete idiot.' 3/5 · Vulgar
- Vollpfosten This is an insult meaning a complete idiot or fool. Literally, it translates to 'solid post,' which adds a humorous twist. 2/5 · Coarse
W
- Weichei It's an insult for someone seen as timid or lacking backbone. Literally, it translates to 'soft egg.' 2/5 · Coarse
- Wichser It's an insult that translates to 'person who masturbates,' akin to calling someone a wanker. It's not usually a literal accusation about someone's sexual habits. 4/5 · Strong