German Slang: 30 Everyday Words and Phrases Locals Actually Use

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Textbook German and real German are two different languages. Your grammar book will teach you "Das ist sehr gut" (That is very good). A German friend will say "Das ist voll krass" (That's totally insane). If you want to understand Germans in real life, you need slang.

This guide covers 30 essential German slang words and phrases. These are not obscure regional dialects — they are everyday expressions used across Germany, especially by younger speakers.

Essential German Slang Words

These are the slang words you will hear constantly in casual German conversation.

Krass

Krass is the Swiss Army knife of German slang. It can mean amazing, shocking, intense, extreme, or wild — depending on context and tone.

• Das ist krass! — That's crazy! / That's insane!
• Krass, oder? — Intense, right?
• Voll krass! — Totally wild!

You can use it for positive surprises ("You got the job? Krass!") or negative ones ("You crashed your car? Krass..."). Tone does the work.

Alter

Alter (literally "old man") is used like "dude" or "man" in English. It expresses surprise, frustration, or just serves as a filler word.

• Alter, was machst du? — Dude, what are you doing?
• Alter! — Man! / Come on!
• Ey, Alter! — Hey, dude!

Both men and women use "Alter" in casual speech. It is not gender-specific despite its literal meaning.

Study Tip: Watch German YouTube videos or listen to German podcasts to hear slang in natural context. Textbooks rarely include these words, so immersion is the only way to learn them naturally.

Geil

Geil technically means "horny," but in everyday slang it simply means "awesome" or "cool." This dual meaning surprises many learners.

• Das Essen ist geil! — The food is awesome!
• Geile Musik! — Awesome music!
• Mega geil! — Super awesome!

The slang meaning is so common that most young Germans use it without thinking about the original meaning. Context makes the intent clear.

Moin

Moin is a greeting from Northern Germany that has spread nationwide. It works at any time of day — morning, afternoon, or evening.

• Moin! — Hi! / Hey!
• Moin moin! — Hi hi! (slightly more enthusiastic)

Unlike "Guten Morgen" (good morning), Moin is not time-specific. People in Hamburg say "Moin" at 10 PM without blinking. For more German greetings, see hello in German.

Slang for Describing Things

Germans have a rich vocabulary for reacting to things. Here are the most common slang adjectives and reactions.

Intensifiers: Making Slang Stronger

Germans love stacking intensifiers before slang words.

• voll — totally: "voll cool" (totally cool)
• mega — mega: "mega geil" (mega awesome)
• ur- — super: "urgeil" (super awesome) — common in Austria
• total — totally: "total bescheuert" (totally stupid)
• echt — really: "echt heftig" (really intense)

"Voll" is the most versatile. You can put it before almost any adjective to intensify it.

Study Tip: Pick 3-5 slang words and try using them in your next German conversation or writing exercise. Active use beats passive memorization. Start with krass, geil, and Alter — they cover most casual reactions.

Slang Verbs

These slang verbs show up constantly in casual German speech.

Chillen

Borrowed from English. Means to relax, hang out, do nothing.

• Lass uns chillen. — Let's chill.
• Ich chille gerade. — I'm just chilling.

Labern

Labern means to talk nonsense or to ramble. It is mildly dismissive.

• Laber nicht! — Stop talking nonsense!
• Er labert immer so viel. — He always rambles so much.
• Was laberst du? — What are you on about?

Checken

Another English borrowing. Means to understand or to check.

• Checkst du das? — Do you get it?
• Ich check das nicht. — I don't get it.
• Check mal dein Handy. — Check your phone.

Pennen

Pennen is casual slang for sleeping. More informal than "schlafen."

• Ich gehe pennen. — I'm going to sleep.
• Er hat den ganzen Tag gepennt. — He slept all day.

Abhauen

Abhauen means to leave quickly, to take off, or to bail.

• Lass uns abhauen. — Let's get out of here.
• Er ist einfach abgehauen. — He just took off.
• Hau ab! — Get lost! / Go away!

Slang Phrases and Expressions

Full phrases are even more useful than individual words. These are expressions you will hear in everyday German conversations.

Na? — The One-Syllable Conversation Starter

Na? is uniquely German. It is a complete greeting, question, and conversation starter in a single syllable.

• Na? — Hey, what's up?
• Na, wie geht's? — So, how are you?
• Na ja... — Well... (expressing doubt)

When someone says "Na?" to you, the standard response is also "Na?" This back-and-forth can continue for several rounds before anyone says anything meaningful. It is the most German thing ever.

Bock — The Desire Word

The "Bock" family of phrases is everywhere in casual German.

• Hast du Bock? — Are you up for it?
• Ich hab voll Bock! — I'm totally up for it!
• Kein Bock auf Arbeit. — Don't feel like working.
• Null Bock auf alles. — Don't feel like doing anything.

Study Tip: Next time you listen to German media, keep a "slang journal." Write down every word you hear that is not in your textbook. After a week, you will have a personal slang dictionary that reflects how Germans actually speak.

Youth Slang (Jugendsprache)

German youth slang changes fast. Here are some current terms, but be aware — using these as an adult might get you an eye roll.

• cringe — embarrassing (borrowed directly from English)
• sus — suspicious (from English/gaming culture)
• flex — to show off (from English)
• lost — confused / clueless ("Du bist so lost" = You're so clueless)
• Ehrenmann / Ehrenfrau — literally "honor man/woman" — someone respectable, a real one
• Digga — dude / bro (variant of "Dicker," used like "Alter")
• safe — definitely / for sure ("Kommst du? — Safe!")

German youth slang borrows heavily from English. This trend has been accelerating for years. The annual "Jugendwort des Jahres" (youth word of the year) frequently picks English-origin words.

When to Use (and Not Use) Slang

Slang makes your German sound natural, but using it in the wrong context is awkward.

Use slang with:

• Friends and peers
• Casual conversations
• Social media and messaging
• Young people in informal settings

Avoid slang with:

• Job interviews and formal business settings
• Written exams and official documents
• Older people you do not know well
• Customer service situations

When in doubt, start formal. You can always switch to casual once the other person does. For formal German, review our guide on the difference between du and Sie.

Regional Slang Differences

Germany has strong regional dialects. Some slang words are specific to certain areas.

For more about German greetings across regions, see how to say hello in German and German goodbye.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

German slang is not optional — it is essential for understanding real conversations. Start with the five most useful words: krass, geil, Alter, Moin, and the phrase kein Bock. These alone will unlock a huge amount of casual German.

The best way to learn slang is through exposure. Listen to German podcasts, watch German YouTube, and pay attention to words your textbook never taught you. Over time, slang will feel as natural as the formal German you learned first.

For the more colorful side of informal German, check out our guide on German swear words. Or explore common German phrases for a broader mix of everyday expressions.