German
10 German swear words you'll actually hear
A traveller's shortlist of German expletives, insults and exclamations — what they mean, and how strong they are.
Every language swears differently. This guide collects 10 German expressions you're genuinely likely to hear — from mild exclamations to properly strong stuff — and explains what each one actually means, not just its dictionary translation.
Burn Ratings are an approximate, cross-language heuristic. Context, region, tone and who's speaking all change how a word lands. Treat these as a guide, not gospel.
- Arschloch 4/5 · Strong
It's a vulgar insult for someone who's being obnoxious or an arsehole. Literally, it translates to 'anus.'
Full entry → - fick dich 4/5 · Strong
This means 'fuck yourself' and serves as a strong way to dismiss someone with hostility.
Full entry → - Scheiße 3/5 · Vulgar
It means 'shit' and is often used to express frustration or describe something negative. Literally, it translates to 'excrement.'
Full entry → - leck mich am Arsch 4/5 · Strong
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.
Full entry → - beschissen 3/5 · Vulgar
It means something is shitty, awful, or unfair. Literally, it translates to 'shat on.'
Full entry → - brunzen 2/5 · Coarse
It means to urinate, specifically in a coarse regional sense. It's a more casual way to say 'piss' in certain German-speaking areas.
Full entry → - Hackfresse 3/5 · Vulgar
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.
Full entry → - verfickt 4/5 · Strong
It's a vulgar intensifier similar to 'fucking' in English, used to add emphasis. It literally translates to 'fucked.'
Full entry → - bumsen 3/5 · Vulgar
It means to have sex in a very blunt way. The literal translation refers to a banging sound, which fits the action.
Full entry → - Arsch 3/5 · Vulgar
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.'
Full entry →