Textbook German is quite different to what people actually speak on the streets.

You can study German grammar for years, but when you hit the streets of Berlin or Munich, you’ll encounter a lively, everyday side of the language.

That’s because Germans use a lot of slang, or Umgangssprache (colloquial speech).

Learning slang isn’t just about sounding cool.

It’s an essential part of understanding the culture, connecting with locals, and improving your overall listening comprehension.

To help you sound more like a native and less like a textbook, I’ve put together a list of the most common German slang words you’ll hear every day.

Alter (dude)

If there’s one German slang word you’ll hear absolutely everywhere, it’s Alter.

Literally translating to “older” or “old one,” it’s the German equivalent of saying “dude,” “man,” or “mate” in English. It’s mostly used among younger people and friends.

You can use it to get someone’s attention, greet a friend, or express surprise. If you’re really shocked by something, you might even stretch it out: Allllter!

Krass (crazy / extreme)

Krass is an incredibly versatile word. Depending on the context, it can mean “crazy,” “awesome,” “extreme,” or “shocking.”

If a friend tells you they just won the lottery, you say krass! If they tell you they just broke their leg, you also say krass!

It’s the perfect reaction word when you’re surprised by something, whether that surprise is good or bad.

Geil (awesome / cool)

This is a word you need to use with a little bit of caution, but it’s deeply embedded in German slang!

Historically, geil translates to “horny.” However, in modern German slang, it’s used exactly like the English words “awesome,” “cool,” or “wicked.”

You can use it to describe a great party, delicious food, or a cool new car. Just be sure to only use it in informal settings with friends-don’t say it to your boss!

Quatsch (nonsense)

When someone says something utterly ridiculous or untrue, you can shut it down quickly with the word Quatsch.

It means “nonsense,” “rubbish,” or “baloney.” Germans are known for being direct, and this word is a great way to playfully disagree with someone or dismiss a silly statement.

Moin (hello - northern Germany)

German has a lot of regional variations, especially when it comes to greetings. If you travel to Northern Germany (like Hamburg, Bremen, or the Baltic coast), you’ll hear Moin everywhere.

While it sounds like the word Morgen (morning), it’s actually used all day long as a friendly “hello.” Sometimes people will even say it twice: Moin moin!

Servus (hello / goodbye - southern Germany)

If you head to the opposite end of the country to Bavaria (or hop over the border to Austria), Moin disappears completely. Instead, you’ll hear Servus.

Servus comes from Latin, and it’s a polite but friendly way to say both “hello” and “goodbye.”

Digga (bro / mate)

Digga (sometimes spelled Dicker) originally comes from the Hamburg hip-hop scene, but it’s exploded into mainstream youth culture across all of Germany.

It literally comes from the word for “fat” (dick), but it has nothing to do with weight. It’s simply another way to say “bro,” “homie,” or “mate,” very much like Alter.

Bock haben (to be up for something)

Literally, Bock means a male goat or a ram. But in German slang, Bock haben means “to be in the mood” for something or “to be up for” doing something.

If you really don’t want to do something, you can say you have null Bock (zero interest).

Bescheuert (stupid / crazy)

When a situation, a rule, or even a person is acting totally stupid, dumb, or absurd, Germans use the word bescheuert.

It’s a bit stronger than just saying something is silly, but it’s not a deeply offensive curse word. You’ll hear it a lot when someone is complaining about traffic, the weather, or a bad day at work.

Jein (yes and no)

Is the answer yes? Is it no? Why not both!

Jein is a brilliant portmanteau (a combination of two words): Ja (yes) + Nein (no) = Jein.

You use this when someone asks you a yes-or-no question, but the real answer is complicated. It essentially means “Yes, but…” or “Well, yes and no.”

German slang word summary table

To help you study and review these phrases, here’s a quick HTML table summarizing all the slang words we covered today:

Using German slang

Incorporating these 10 slang words into your vocabulary will instantly make you sound more natural and less like a beginner.

The best way to get comfortable with Umgangssprache is to listen to native speakers. Try watching German YouTube videos, listening to German podcasts, or doing an online language exchange.