When we think back to high school, we all probably remember the excitement of discovering that there would be a new foreign exchange student in our class. This unique program offered us all the chance to learn about other cultures through firsthand experience -- meeting someone from a foreign land. The first thing we probably asked the foreign exchange student was, "So... What are some bad words in your language?" Although we felt rebellious trading swear words at the time, verbal taboos like these are actually a valid part of any culture and are frequently studied by linguists and anthropologists. Given the increasingly connected state of global cultures, there are now even more opportunities to learn foreign swear words (and their uses). German is one of the most widely spoken languages on Earth. In fact, after English, it is the most widely used language on the Internet. The following words are some of the most widely used swear words in German.
- First of all, remember to use these words responsibly. It can be dangerous to anger a stranger by swearing at him or her, so use them cautiously in public. Also, do not use them in polite company or around anyone you would like to impress (such as a boss, future in-laws, or others). A good rule of thumb is not to use them around a group of people unless you have heard those people use those particular swear words. For example, it would be appropriate to swear at your friend playfully only if you have already heard him or her swear playfully at you or one of his or her other friends.
- A few important obscene and derogatory insults include:
Sack: Literally, "scrotum." While this body part isn't really obscene in English, it is in German. Imagine the circumstances in which you might feel like calling someone a scrotum -- for example, when someone has made you angry by doing something stupid.
Arschloch: Translates literally as "asshole" and is used figuratively in the same way that "asshole" is used in English.
Trottel: "Fool, idiot."
Depp, Dummkopf, Vollidiot: These also roughly mean "idiot."
Schlampe: A "slut" or "floozie." It is very insulting and derogatory toward women.
Fotze: Literally, a vulva, used like the English word "cunt." This is a VERY obscene word, so use it with extreme caution.
As you grin smugly at what you can now say in German, enjoy the fact that you have also learned about an important part of German culture.
Swear in German
Swear in German : Multi-thousand tips to make your life easier.
When we think back to high school, we all probably remember the excitement of discovering that there would be a new foreign exchange student in our class. This unique program offered us all the chance to learn about other cultures through firsthand experience -- meeting someone from a foreign land. The first thing we probably asked the foreign exchange student was, "So... What are some bad words in your language?" Although we felt rebellious trading swear words at the time, verbal taboos like these are actually a valid part of any culture and are frequently studied by linguists and anthropologists. Given the increasingly connected state of global cultures, there are now even more opportunities to learn foreign swear words (and their uses). German is one of the most widely spoken languages on Earth. In fact, after English, it is the most widely used language on the Internet. The following words are some of the most widely used swear words in German.
- First of all, remember to use these words responsibly. It can be dangerous to anger a stranger by swearing at him or her, so use them cautiously in public. Also, do not use them in polite company or around anyone you would like to impress (such as a boss, future in-laws, or others). A good rule of thumb is not to use them around a group of people unless you have heard those people use those particular swear words. For example, it would be appropriate to swear at your friend playfully only if you have already heard him or her swear playfully at you or one of his or her other friends.
- A few important obscene and derogatory insults include:
Sack: Literally, "scrotum." While this body part isn't really obscene in English, it is in German. Imagine the circumstances in which you might feel like calling someone a scrotum -- for example, when someone has made you angry by doing something stupid.
Arschloch: Translates literally as "asshole" and is used figuratively in the same way that "asshole" is used in English.
Trottel: "Fool, idiot."
Depp, Dummkopf, Vollidiot: These also roughly mean "idiot."
Schlampe: A "slut" or "floozie." It is very insulting and derogatory toward women.
Fotze: Literally, a vulva, used like the English word "cunt." This is a VERY obscene word, so use it with extreme caution.
As you grin smugly at what you can now say in German, enjoy the fact that you have also learned about an important part of German culture.