German Slang: 15 Words Locals Actually Use
German slang adds color and personality to the language, making conversations feel more genuine. Textbooks often miss out on these expressions because they focus on formal language, which can make learning feel a bit stiff and less relatable.
Slang sticks when you say it
Reading a slang list does nothing. Say these out loud and get corrected. That is how real German lands.
15 German slang words worth knowing
| Slang | What it means | Hear |
|---|---|---|
| Alter Used among friends to address each other casually. Was geht, Alter? (What's up, dude?) | dude or mate | |
| Bock haben Commonly used when someone wants to do something fun. Hast du Bock auf ein Bier? (Are you in the mood for a beer?) | to be in the mood for something | |
| Kohle Used informally, often among younger people. Ich habe keine Kohle. (I have no money.) | money | |
| Geil Used to express excitement or approval. Das Konzert war echt geil! (The concert was really awesome!) | cool or awesome | |
| Quatsch Used to dismiss something silly or untrue. Das ist doch Quatsch! (That's just nonsense!) | nonsense | |
| Chillen Often used when hanging out with friends. Lass uns einfach chillen. (Let's just relax.) | to relax | |
| Moin Commonly used in Northern Germany at any time of day. Moin, wie geht's? (Hello, how's it going?) | hello | |
| Läuft bei dir Used to acknowledge someone's success or good fortune. Du hast einen neuen Job? Läuft bei dir! (You got a new job? You're doing well!) | you're doing well | |
| Fett Used to describe something impressive. Das Auto ist fett! (The car is awesome!) | great or awesome | |
| Baba Casual way to say goodbye, often among younger people. Ich muss jetzt gehen, baba! (I have to go now, goodbye!) | goodbye | |
| Schnack Used when referring to a casual conversation. Lass uns einen Schnack halten. (Let's have a chat.) | chat or talk | |
| Komm klar Used to encourage someone to manage their situation. Du musst echt mal komm klar. (You really need to get it together.) | get it together | |
| Bisschen Commonly used to soften requests or statements. Kannst du mir ein bisschen helfen? (Can you help me a little bit?) | a little bit | |
| Zocken Used among gamers or younger people. Ich werde heute Abend zocken. (I will play video games tonight.) | to play video games | |
| Abhängen Used when spending time casually with friends. Wir hängen heute Abend ab. (We're hanging out tonight.) | to hang out |
One honest tip
Use slang in informal settings with friends to sound natural and relatable. Avoid overusing it, as it can come off as forced or insincere.Don't just read it. Say it.
Slang you only read stays dead. The point of slang is sounding natural out loud, and you only get there by speaking. SPAIKING lets you practice real German with a coach that listens and corrects you in real time. Two free conversations to start, no card.
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Frequently asked questions
Is it okay to use slang in formal situations?
Generally, it's best to avoid slang in formal settings, as it can be seen as unprofessional.