A Guide To Denglisch | English Words Used in German

If you are learning German, you will quickly notice that Germans often use English words in their everyday speech. This mixture is called Denglisch.

In this article, we will explain what Denglisch is, show you the most common Denglisch words, and teach you some typical sentence structures that Germans use when mixing German and English.

Our goal is to help you feel more comfortable when you hear Denglisch in real life!

What is Denglisch?

Denglisch is when Germans use English words or English-style phrases in their German sentences. Sometimes, they even change English words to make them sound more German!

Denglisch is very common in:

• Business and office life
• Technology and the internet
• Advertising
• Youth language
• Social media

Some Germans love using Denglisch because it sounds modern and international. Others think it sounds funny or unnecessary.
But no matter what people think, it is a real part of the German language today.

Very Common Denglisch Words

Here are some of the most important Denglisch words you will hear often:

You will also hear verbs made from English words:

Example sentences:

• Ich habe ein Meeting mit meinem Team.
• Kannst du mir bitte ein Feedback geben?
• Ich muss noch schnell eine App downloaden.
• Wir arbeiten heute im Homeoffice.

Typical Denglisch Constructions and Structures

When Germans use Denglisch, they often follow these patterns:

German Grammar + English Nouns

They put English nouns into normal German grammar.
This means using German articles (der, die, das) and adding German plural endings when needed.

Examples:

• das Meeting → die Meetings
• der Job → die Jobs
• das Update → die Updates

So, even if the word comes from English, it behaves like a German noun!

Making Verbs from English Words

Germans often add -en to an English word to create a German verb.

Examples:

• download + en = downloaden
• chat + ten = chatten
• updat + en = updaten

These verbs are then used like regular German verbs:

• Ich downloade die Datei.
• Er chattet mit seinen Freunden.
• Wir updaten unsere Software.

Mixing English Phrases into German Sentences

Sometimes, whole English phrases are dropped into a German sentence.

Example:

• Lass uns ein Meeting aufsetzen. (Let's set up a meeting.)
• Ich habe ein Call mit dem Chef. (I have a call with the boss.)

This is very common in offices and international companies in Germany.

Rules and Tips for Using Denglisch

• Always use the correct German article (der, die, das) for the English word.
• Add normal German endings for plurals.
• Add -en if you want to turn an English word into a German verb.
• Remember: Not every English word is used! Only some words have become popular.

If you use Denglisch correctly, you will sound much more natural and modern when speaking German!

Conclusion

Denglisch is an important part of modern German.
By learning the most common Denglisch words and understanding how Germans use them, you will feel more confident in conversations, especially in business, technology, and with young people.

Now that you know about Denglisch, listen carefully when Germans speak!
You will notice these words all the time.