Swear words in German

Swear words in German: where and when did they appear in German? Is there a gradation of “rudeness” in German swear words? Where can you use explicit language in Germany? You will learn the ugliest and most vile words in the article! (Read it only if you’re 18+)

Each of us has ever faced the need to make our speech more emotional, relieve psychological stress, or simply (often unconsciously) fill in a pause. In such situations, not only relatively neutral interjections come to the rescue, but also swear words. Today we will talk about abusive language in the German language!

The origin of German swear words

By the way, there is an interesting fact in linguistics: many obscene words in European languages ​​of the same language families originate from Proto-Indo-European, which means, they are related. It is very difficult to name the exact date when such words appeared in German.

The German language is quite rich in swear words; there are websites where you can find swear words from 1000 to 10000 or more words. Interestingly, in German, many curses are associated with the topic of shit and ass (der Arsch – ass, scheißen – to shit):

• erarschen – bullshit
• das Arschloch – bastard, motherf**ker
• Scheiß drauf! – screw it, f. it!
• bescheißen – screw over, swindle
• die Verarsche – prank
• das Miststück – bi**h, piece of sh*t
• vollscheißen – to shit

The main principle of the formation of obscene words in the German language is word formation by addition.

To form new curses, you can connect a variety of parts of speech, for example, nouns and adjectives, verbs and nouns, etc.

For example:

• der Arsch + das Gesicht = das Arschgesicht (bastard)
• lutschen + der Schwanz = der Schwanzlutscher (dork)
• kalt + der Arsch = arschkalt (bloody cold)

It all depends on your imagination!

What does a German say when he is just angry and when he is very, very angry?

As a rule, we can still (consciously or not) determine our emotion, for example, the degree of anger or joy, and in accordance with this, select and use the most appropriate swear word for the situation. This happens in any language.

In German, obscene vocabulary has a certain structure, which we will now consider:

•  Fluchwörter – rude expressions with the help of which the speaker expresses vivid emotions, for example, anger, disappointment or a wish for something bad to happen.

For example:

• Fahr zur Hölle! – Go to hell!
• Halt die Fotze! – Shut the f**k up!
• Leck mich am Arsch! – F**k you in the ass!
• Du gehst mir auf den Sack! – You’re pissing me off!
• Ein Scheißdreck werde ich tun! – I ain’t doing nothing!
• Verpiss dich! – F**k you!

• Schimpfwörter are needed in order to endow any object (person or object) with negative properties, thereby offending or humiliating him. They are often formed from words such as “shit” (and everything associated with it) and all kinds of names for body parts, as well as animals.

For example:

• der Mistkerl – bastard, prick, son of a b**ch
• der Fotzenlecker – pu**y licker
• der Wichser – wanker, motherf**ker
• Alter Muschi! – Old f**k!
• Ah du Schwein! – Oh, you pig!

•  Vulgarismen(vulgarisms) – in fact, this group of words includes words from the previous two categories in everyday speech, they are not necessary used to offend someone. So, for example, with the help of vulgar expressions, a person can strengthen his statement or show an attitude towards any routine phenomenon.

For example:

• Scheiß drauf! – Screw it!
• Mir ist es scheißegal! – I don’t give a shit!
• Verdammte Scheiße! – Damn it!

Where you can and where you can’t use foul language in Germany

Very often the very Schimpfwörter are used in colloquial speech. It is important to understand that this is permissible only in the circle of friends or loved ones, and only if they accept this behavior. In other cases, their application will look rude, and often even indecent and outrageous. You can, of course, scold, for example, a careless driver, but it will also still look very impolite.

Vulgarisms are found in the conversations of young people.

Fluchwörter are found in literary works, as, for example, words of some writers. In oral speech, they also occur periodically, but are considered a soft version of foul vocabulary.

And, of course, it is important to note that none of the above categories are suitable for communicating in a formal business style.

The German favorite word “scheiße” – swear word or not?

As for the beloved German “scheiße”, in oral speech, like other Schimpfwörter , it is permissible. However, it is worth noting that sometimes in Germany, for example, an elderly or very well-mannered and intelligent German may be offended and take this word for unacceptable rudeness, so for someone scheiße will become an analogue of the harmless “damn!” and for someone it will be an analogue of the word “f*ck!”, “bulls**t”.

It is clear that “scheiße  is not the most “bombastic” expression. However, many quite decent people calmly use it in everyday life in a variety of combinations. Germans can often “decorate” a slight emotion of disappointment or anger using this word. But you don’t need to get too carried away with them.