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GERMAN LANGUAGE

9 German exclamations that will make you sound like a local

Whether you're cursing your rotten luck or expressing your surprise, knowing these German interjections is a sure-fire way to showcase your personality while speaking a foreign language.

Published: 7 July 2023 15:01 CEST
Updated: 17 October 2023 14:44 CEST
A woman shouts down the phone in an office.
A woman shouts down the phone in an office. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/dpa-tmn | Christin Klose

With its brain-aching grammar and endless regional dialects, German is a language that’s famous for its complexity. But, just like other languages, it also has a simple and spontaneous side: its colourful range of exclamations.

These punchy German phrases are perfect for when you just need to vent your feelings, whether you’re frustrated, impressed or a little bit taken aback.

And though you don’t often find them in beginners’ German books, they do have a major upside for language learners: a well-placed interjection or exclamation can help you express yourself to whoever’s around, and can easily cut through any language barriers that may exist.

Get to grips with these expressions, and you’ll never need to reach for “genau” (exactly) again.

Ach so

Sometimes it takes a little while for the penny to drop, especially if someone’s explaining something to you in German, and these two little words are absolutely perfect for those times. Said either with a thoughtful or vaguely surprised inflection, this helpful little phrase is used to convey understanding.

In English, you might translate “ach so” as “oh, right” or, “oh… I see!”, or even, “aha!” if you’re having a lightbulb moment. For example, if someone informs you that you’re standing in the wrong queue at the cinema, a simple: “Ach so… danke” will suffice to let them know you’ve understood. Or if you’re wondering why your friend hasn’t turned up yet and you realise it’s the wrong day, you could say to no-one in particular: “Ach so, Marina wollte morgen vorbeikommen!” (“Aha! Marina wanted to come tomorrow”!)

READ ALSO: German word of the day: Ach so

Hoppla!

You’re with friends at the Kneipe and you offer to get the drinks, but as you’re walking back with a tray full of beers you lose your footing a little and watch as the glasses wobble and clink together ominously. Hoppla! That was close.

For those clumsy “whoops” moments, this fun word can come in very handy, or its equally silly alternative, “Uppsala”, which is both the name of a town in Sweden and another way of saying “oops!”.

Mist!

Bernd das Brot

A woman photographs a statue of the popular TV character Bernd das Brot in Erfurt. Photo: picture alliance / dpa | Martin Schutt

A favourite slogan of the depressive TV character Bernd das Brot, “Mist!” is a simple way to curse your rotten luck. Literally meaning “dung”, it can be used for those everyday misfortunes that just make your day that little bit harder. Turned up at the S-Bahn station just as the train pulls away? Mist! Step out of the hairdressers as it starts to pour with rain? Mist! Arriving home and the key breaks off in the lock? Mist!

Of course, for those really bad days you can use the more forceful alternative, “Scheiße!” (sh*t), but “Mist” is definitely a more family-friendly alternative.

Echt?

Literally meaning “really?” or “for real?” “echt” is a great word to have up your sleeve for a range of conversational situations. Primarily, you’ll use it to express surprise or disbelief – it’s a great interjection to use when your friend is telling you a shocking or unbelievable story, for example, or if someone surprises you by making a thoughtful gesture.

Alternatively, you can use it in a sarcastic tone to make it clear you disapprove of someone’s behaviour. If the driver ahead cuts you off, for instance, you could mutter an irritated “ugh, echt?” (for real?) to show just how annoyed you are.

READ ALSO: 10 ways to express surprise in German

Ach, nee

Another super versatile expression, “ach, nee” can either be used to express minor disappointment, dismay or resignation as a sarcastic response to someone stating the obvious.

In English, it literally translates as “oh no”, and is often used in similar situations. For example, if your friend tells you there’s a rail strike on the day you plan to travel on holiday, an “ach, nee” can show your disappointment at the news. That said, if your bike gets stolen and someone points out you’ll have to walk home instead, a cutting, “ach, nee!” can also express something along the lines of: “well, duh!” or “no sh*t, Sherlock!”.

Annoyed woman on phone

A woman expresses annoyance while talking on the phone. Photo: picture alliance/dpa/dpa-tmn | Tobias Hase

Verdammt!

It’s good to vent your frustration sometimes, and what better way than with a loud exclamation of “verdammt!”, which is the German equivalent of “dammit!”.

For example, if you’re trying to fix something fiddly and end up making it worse instead, throwing down your spanner with an emphatic “verdammt!” will let everyone know that you’re at the end of your tether and shouldn’t be bothered right now.

Geil!

Woah, did you see that crazy trick that guy just did on the skateboard? Geil! Or that insanely luxurious holiday apartment your friend has booked for your summer getaway? Noch geiler! 

If you want to show how impressed you are by something, or how cool you find it “geil!” – meaning awesome – is the perfect way to do it. This punchy little statement is very colloquial, so you probably wouldn’t use it in a business meeting, but among friends it’s a simple yet effective way to show that you’re bowled over by what they’re saying, along with words like “klasse”, “toll”, and “krass”.

READ ALSO: German word of the day: Geil

Meine Güte!

If you’re slightly taken aback or surprised by something, “meine Güte” is a great expression to have up your sleeve. It can be used much like the English “my goodness” as a politer (and less blasphemic) version of “my god”. For example if you’ve noticed it’s later than you thought you could say: “Meine Güte, es ist schon 12!” (My goodness, it’s twelve already!).

You can also use it a little like the English “for goodness’ sake” if you’re feeling a little frustrated by something. For example, if a friend is beating around the bush, you could implore them, “meine Güte, sag’s mir einfach!” (for goodness’ sake, just tell me) to show your mild impatience.

Igitt

After a week away on holiday, you’re relieved to get back home, but as you open the door to your apartment a putrid odour hits you in the face. Igitt! How disgusting! It seems like you forgot to take out your Biomüll (organic waste) before going away again – and in the height of summer as well.

Pronounced like this, you can use “igitt!” in place of “ew” or “yuck” whenever you encounter something that turns your stomach.

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GERMAN LANGUAGE

‘Umpf’: Six noises to help you sound like a German

You may think fancy vocab is the only way to impress your friends in German, but these quirky noises could actually be the key to sounding like a local.

Published: 24 April 2024 17:23 CEST
Updated: 28 April 2024 08:39 CEST
'Umpf': Six noises to help you sound like a German

For most German-language learners, it’s a familiar scenario: you kick off your language journey with textbooks and courses and eventually start to get comfortable with the tricky grammar and vocabulary.

But as soon as you start talking to a native speaker, you’ll probably hear several words you’ve never heard before – and even a few confusing noises that are hard to decipher.

These funny sounds – which are usually described as discourse markers by linguists – can be used to express anything from exhaustion to surprise, or even to check whether the person you’re talking to is listening.

If you want to sound like a native, it’s worth getting familiar with these quirky noises and trying to incorporate them in your everyday speech.

The good news is that they’re a lot more fun to use than the tricky words you learn in language schools.

What’s more, they’re an easy way to add some natural flair and personality to your German.

READ ALSO: What are the different levels in German and how do I reach them?

Tja

Hearing this word can be confusing for foreigners, because it may sound an awful lot like “ja”, or yes.

But rather than being an affirmative response to a question, ‘tja’ is often used ahead of a contradiction or as an expression of scepticism, similar to the English word “well”.

You may also hear “tja”, or even “ja”, simply used as filler words for the speaker to buy time to think about what they’re saying. For example, if a stranger asks you if the next train to Dresden leaves from Platform 3, you may respond with “Ja… nein”, if you aren’t quite sure of the answer.

Another key meaning of ‘tja’ is best summed by a meme that defines it as a the typical German response to the apocalypse, nuclear war, alien attack or having no bread in the house.

When something catastrophic has happened – like the apolocalypse or an empty bread shelf – it can be taken to mean either “I told you so” or “sh*t happens”, casting an ironic light over the gloomy situation.

Here’s how you pronounce it.

Hä

This is a word you won’t read in the German textbooks, but “hä” is a sure-fire way to sound more German in your conversations.

Much like the English “huh?”, you can use “hä?” to express surprise or incomprehension. If a friend from your German course tells you they actually enjoy learning German grammar, then a disbelieving “hä?” is probably an apt response.

In a more banal context, if you haven’t quite understood what somebody’s said, a gentle “hä?” could stand in for the more polite and formal, “wie bitte?”.

A word of warning, though: “hä?” is viewed as very informal and can even be construed as rude in certain situations, so be sure to only use it among people you’re very friendly and familiar with.

Here’s how you pronounce it.

READ ALSO: German word of the day – Hä?

Ne

Whether you’re a fan of German podcasts or have a few German friends who enjoy to speak at length about the world, you’ve probably come across ‘ne’ at some point or other.

It’s generally used at the end of sentences to check that the other person is listening and has understood, similar to the English “right?” or “you know?”.

For that reason, it often has a high inflection, as if you’re asking a question – though you don’t necessarily expect a response.

So next time you embark on a long rant in German, try interjecting a “ne?” or two. This can add variety to your tone and at the very least ensure the other person hasn’t fallen asleep halfway through.

Here’s how it’s pronounced.

Auwa

When a German child trips and falls over at the Spielplatz, the first thing they may shout is, “Auwaaaaa!” before calling on their parents to come and comfort them.

But it’s not just the little ones who use this noise to express pain in Germany – adults will also emit an occasional “auwa!” if they accidentally stub their toe.

A sad teddy bear with broken arm

A sad teddy bear with a broken arm. “Auwa” is the most German way to respond to a painful accident. Photo: Photo by Trym Nilsen on Unsplash

An alternative to “auwa” is the more English-style “auch!”, which is pronounced the same as “ouch!” but spelled differently. This can also be used to respond to a comment that stings a little, as a good-natured way of letting someone know your feelings were hurt.

Here’s how “auwa” is pronounced.

Puh

Though hearing this word may bring some toilet humour to mind, “puh” has less to do with bodily functions than you might expect.

It’s actually more similar to the English word “phew”, which is used to express tiredness or relief.

One scenario you might use “puh” is after running to the bus stop to catch the last bus home. Once you sprint through the doors and sink into your seat, you may let out an exhausted “puh!” to show your relief at having made it.

Before you forget the more childish connotations entirely though, it’s worth knowing you can also use “puh” when encountering something disgusting.

If it’s your turn to take out the Biomüll and the rotten vegetables are starting to emit a foul odour, you might say, “Puh! Es stinkt!” (Ew! It stinks!”), before hurrying to the bins as fast as you can. 

Here’s how it’s pronounced.

READ ALSO: 12 colourful German expressions that’ll add swagger to your language skills 

Uff / Umpf

If you’ve ever eaten an entire bowl of Käsespätzle, you probably know the sensation of feeling so full you’re about to burst.

For precisely this situation, you’ll need to know “umpf” or “uff”. Both of these words neatly sum up that feeling of being stuffed to the brim with food – but not necessarily in a bad way.

A bit like “oof!” in English, “uff” and “umpf” are ways of showing that you’re both sated and a little bit sleepy after a big meal. With Germany’s very hearty cuisine, they’re both expressions that you’ll need in your life fairly often.

Here’s how “uff” is pronounced.

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