In this blog post, we're going to take a look at insults in German.
There are funny German insults that are hilarious to learn about — many of them compound words in the great German tradition of "smash two unrelated nouns together and call it a personality trait" (Backpfeifengesicht, the famously punchable face, being the classic). Then there are mild insults you might use with a good friend. Last but not least, there are strong German insults for people who are very, very angry. You'll find those at the very end.
Funny German Insults
Let's start off with lighter insults.
Some of the insults in the lists you can use when angry. However, others are more on the funny side and might make people laugh. Take a look:
- die Arschgeigelit: ass violin
- der Hornochselit.: Oxen with horns
- der Erbsenzählerlit: pea counter
- der Spargeltarzanlit: asparagus-Tarzan
- der Rotzlöffellit: snot spoon
- der Lackaffelit: varnish monkey
- das Backpfeifengesichtlit: cheek whistle face
- das Weicheilit: soft egg
- die Spaßbremselit: fun brake
- der Warmduscherlit: warm-showerer
- der Arschkriecherlit: ass crawler
Hornochse
This insult, which means "you jackass," is a playful way to tease someone for doing something foolish or silly. It's a common insult used among friends and is not meant to be taken seriously.
Erbsenzähler
The German insult Erbsenzähler is used to describe someone who is overly meticulous and concerned with petty details. Literally translated
to English, it means something "pea counter" or "bean counter".
«Kannst du mir noch die 8 Cent geben, die du mir schuldest?»
«Ist das dein Ernst? Du bist echt so ein Erbsenzähler, Pierre. Wir sehen uns dann morgen!»
Erbsenzähler is often used in a teasing or lighthearted way to make fun of someone who is perceived as being overly fussy or pedantic. It is not a particularly severe insult, but is more of a way to poke fun at someone's fussiness or nitpicking nature.
Spargeltarzan
A Spargeltarzan is someone who is slim and lacks physical strength or muscle mass.
The word is often used in a teasing way to make fun of a close friend or family member.
«Schau mal, ich habe ein altes Video von dir gefunden. Du warst ja damals richtig dünn.»
«Ja, ich war ein richtiger Spargeltarzan!»
In case you didn't notice: Spargeltarzan is a compound word that's made up from the
words Spargel (asparagus) and "Tarzan," the famous jungle hero known for his strength and athleticism.
Rotzlöffel
A Rotzlöffel is a brat — so you'd generally use this word to describe naughty children or sometimes teenagers.
The literal meaning is quite gross: it translates as “snot spoon”.
«Das Nachbarskind war gerade schon wieder so frech zu mir!»
«Ja, das ist ein kleiner Rotzlöffel! Aber ich mag ihn trotzdem ganz gerne.»
Lackaffe
Lackaffe is a light German insult that you should be a bit more careful with than the other words in this list.
It's not a very strong insult, but you also wouldn't normally say this to a friend - it's too mean for that.
«Guck mal, Thomas hat neue Schuhe und trägt jetzt nur noch Anzüge. Was ein Lackaffe!»
«Sei doch nicht so! Er ist doch immer sehr nett zu dir. Ich glaube er findet dich ganz gut.»
Lackaffe literally means "varnish monkey" or "lacquer ape". It's used to describe someone who is overly well-dressed,
vain and keen to show off. The American equivalent would be something like "showboat"; in British English, "spiv" gets close.
Backpfeifengesicht
«Peter hat so ein Backpfeifengesicht! Ich muss mich wirklich zurückhalten.»
«Ja, das stimmt. Er grinst immer so frech, wenn er sich über dich lustig macht.»
Weichei
«Sei doch nicht so ein Weichei, Anne. Zwei Stunden Schlaf reichen vollkommen aus.»
«Das ist so unfair. Du hast ausgeschlafen und möchtest jetzt, dass ich mit dir die Wohnung putze?»
Spaßbremse
«Ich will nicht mit euch in das verlassene Schwimmbad einbrechen. Es ist 1 Uhr nachts und arschkalt.»
«Sei doch nicht so eine Spaßbremse. Hast du denn noch nie etwas Verbotenes getan?»
Warmduscher
«Sahil trinkt jeden Abend um 10 Uhr eine heiße Schokolade und geht dann ins Bett.»
«Wirklich? Ich wusste nicht, dass er so ein Warmduscher ist!»
«Das habe ich nur ein einziges Mal gemacht! Ok, vielleicht zwei mal.»
Arschkriecher
«Warum bist du so ein Arschkriecher? Herr Lehmann ist doch gar nicht mehr dein Mathelehrer.»
«Ja, aber ich dachte er würde sich trotzdem über ein paar selbstgebackene Kekse freuen.»
Light-Hearted German Insults
- der Spinneridiot
- der Deppfool
- der Pennerbum
- der Dusselairhead
Spinner
This insult, which translates to "you nutcase" or "you crazy person," is a playful way to tease someone. Use it with friends or family members whom you know well and who won't take offense.
Depp
This insult, which means "you dork" or "you goofball," is a friendly way to poke fun at someone's actions or behavior. It's often used among close friends or family members.
Penner
This insult, which translates to "you slacker" or "you lazy bones," is a mild way to call someone out for being lazy or not putting in enough effort. Use it in a joking manner, and only with people who won't take offense.
Dussel
This insult, which translates to "you dope" or "you nincompoop," is a light-hearted way to poke fun at someone for making a mistake or for being forgetful. Use it in a joking manner, and only with people who won't take offense.
It's important to note that these insults are meant to be light-hearted and used in a joking manner. They should never be used to deliberately hurt someone's feelings. If you're not sure if an insult is appropriate to use, it's always best to err on the side of caution and avoid using it altogether.
Strong & Nasty German Insults
If you are looking for stronger German insults, I'm afraid we are too polite to list them here.
But this YouTube video might help you out:
For the situational equivalents — words you'd shout at the broken printer rather than at a person — see our list of German swear words. And if it's casual everyday colloquialisms you're after (Quatsch, Hammer, Alter), our roundup of German slang covers that register. For polite everyday vocabulary on neutral topics, our broader German vocabulary lists are themed by topic and cover the safer end of the same conversational shelf.