What's included here
Nine German curses and mild insults, from everyday expressions of frustration to words used to criticise someone. You'll learn what they mean, how strong they sound, and how they're used in conversations, with German examples and English translations.
Sometimes, a simple Oh nein! doesn't really express how you're feeling.
You've forgotten your keys. Your train has been cancelled. Or someone has done something so spectacularly obnoxious that you're struggling to find the right words.
Fortunately, German has plenty of expressions for these situations.
Some German swear words, like Mist and verdammt, are relatively mild. Others, like Scheiße, are more vulgar. And then there are insults such as Depp and Spinner, which are aimed at people rather than situations.
They're all useful to recognise, particularly if you're watching German films, listening to podcasts or trying to follow informal conversations.
But before you start using them yourself, it's worth understanding how they differ!
In this article, let's look at nine German swear words and mild insults, starting with expressions of frustration before moving on to words you might hear directed at other people.
For a wider selection of expressions aimed at people, have a look at our guide to German insults 😅.
1. Verdammt – Damn / Dammit
Verdammt is a common German curse used to express frustration, anger or disappointment.
It's similar to "damn" or "dammit" in English.
Imagine you've just realised that you've forgotten something important.
«Hat Peter dir die Wohnungsschlüssel gegeben?»
«Oh nein, hat er nicht. Ich habe ganz vergessen, ihn danach zu fragen. Verdammt!»
You can also use verdammt to emphasise something, although this is a different grammatical use.
How strong is it? Mild to moderately strong, depending on the context and tone. It's common in informal speech but can sound inappropriate in formal situations.
2. Scheiße – Shit
Scheiße is one of the most recognisable German swear words.
Its literal meaning is "shit", and it's frequently used to express frustration, anger, disappointment or surprise.
For example, imagine realising you've forgotten to give someone the keys to your flat.
«Scheiße! Mir ist gerade eingefallen, dass ich heute Morgen vergessen habe, Layla den Schlüssel zu geben!»
«Oh nein! Dann kommt sie ja gar nicht in deine Wohnung. Was machen wir jetzt?»
You might also hear Scheiße used to describe a bad situation.
Although it's common in everyday German, Scheiße is still vulgar.
How strong is it? Stronger than Mist or verdammt. It's widely used in casual speech, but you should avoid it in formal or professional situations.
3. Was zur Hölle – What the Hell
Was zur Hölle is a German expression used to communicate surprise, disbelief, anger or confusion.
It's like saying "what the hell" in English.
The word Hölle means "hell", and the expression often appears at the beginning of a question.
For example:
«Was zur Hölle ist hier los? Wieso seid ihr alle in meiner Wohnung und habt euch als Tiere verkleidet?»
«Das können wir alles erklären. Es sollte eine Überraschung werden ...»
You'll also encounter similar expressions such as Was zum Teufel?, which means roughly the same thing.
How strong is it? Informal and fairly forceful, but not especially vulgar. It can sound angry or confrontational depending on how you say it.
4. Mist – Damn / Crap
Mist is one of the milder German swear words.
Literally, it means "manure" or "dung", but as an exclamation, it's closer to "damn" or "crap" in English.
It's useful when something goes wrong.
For example:
«Das Fußballspiel lief schlecht für uns. Unser Team hat verloren.»
«Wirklich? Mist! Dann müssen wir jetzt bis zur nächsten Saison warten.»
Note
Mist is also a classic German false friend.
How strong is it? Very mild. It's one of the safer expressions to recognise and use in everyday situations, although it's still informal.
5. Blöd – Stupid / Silly / Annoying
Blöd isn't strictly a swear word; it's a common German adjective meaning "stupid", "silly", "dumb" or "annoying", depending on the context.
It's often used when something is frustrating or unfortunate.
For example:
«Das ist wirklich blöd, dass der Mathelehrer dich beim Schummeln erwischt hat.»
«Wenn du es ihm nicht gesagt hättest, hätte er es nicht bemerkt. Du bist echt blöd.»
Notice how the meaning changes between the two sentences: the first, blöd describes an unfortunate situation, whilst the second is directed at a person and becomes an insult.
You might also hear:
How strong is it? Usually mild when describing a situation, but more insulting when directed at someone.
6. Spinner – Weirdo / Idiot
Der Spinner is an informal German insult used to describe someone as strange, foolish or unreasonable.
Depending on the context, it can mean "weirdo", "idiot" or something similar.
For example:
It can be used playfully between friends, but it can also be genuinely insulting.
The tone makes a big difference.
How strong is it? Mild to moderately insulting. Among friends it can sound teasing and playful, but directed at a stranger it may come across as rude.
7. Depp – Fool / Idiot
Der Depp is another informal German insult.
It describes someone who has done something foolish or behaved stupidly.
For example:
It's a fairly direct insult.
You might hear it in everyday conversations, particularly when someone is annoyed by another person's behaviour.
How strong is it? A mild to moderate insult. It's less vulgar than many stronger German insults, but still impolite when directed at someone.
8. Penner – Bum / Loser
Der Penner is an insulting German word that can refer to someone considered lazy or unpleasant.
Historically and in some contexts, it can also be used as a derogatory term for a homeless person.
Here's an example sentence:
Because of the word's associations, it's not one we'd particularly recommend adopting as a learner.
How strong is it? Potentially quite insulting. It's useful to understand when you hear it, but best avoided in your own speech.
9. Dussel – Fool / Clumsy Idiot
Der Dussel is a relatively mild German insult used for someone who is clumsy, forgetful or has done something foolish.
Compared with Depp or Penner, it often sounds more old-fashioned or playful.
For example:
Dussel can be used to describe yourself, in which case it often sounds more affectionate or self-deprecating than genuinely insulting.
How strong is it? Very mild. It's often playful, although it can still be rude if used to belittle someone.
Where to Go From Here
German has no shortage of colourful ways to express frustration.
From the relatively harmless Mist! to the more forceful Scheiße!, these expressions are part of everyday spoken German.
And while you probably don't need to start calling people Depp or Spinner, understanding these words will make it easier to follow informal conversations.
If you're interested in expanding your vocabulary beyond swear words, explore our German vocabulary lists 📋
They're a good place to learn expressions that are useful in everyday situations without risking an argument!