Youth Language: Current Words from Young People

Language is always changing, especially with young people. Many new words appear and disappear. Sometimes words come from other languages, for example from English, or they get a new meaning. Other words are only known in certain regions or groups. There are also many internet terms that come from social media like Instagram or TikTok.

Typical Youth Language Words

You hear some words again and again when young people talk to each other. Here are a few examples:

• safe: This word comes from English and means something like "sure," "definitely," or "of course."

• Example: "Wollen wir vorher noch was essen? Safe!" (Yes, of course!)

• ballern: This word has several meanings. It can mean drinking a lot of alcohol or smoking. But it can also mean doing something with great intensity or speed.

• Example: "Lass mal aufs Klo gehen und ballern." (Let's go to the bathroom and drink alcohol or smoke.)

• cringe: This comes from English and describes something that is embarrassing or awkward.

• Example: "Das war voll cringe, als er das gesagt hat." (That was really embarrassing/awkward when he said that.)

• crazy: This word also comes from English and means "mad" or "great."

• Example: "Die Party war crazy!" (The party was crazy/great!)

• long/lange: This also comes from English (laughing) and means "funny" or "witty."

• Example: "Das war so long!" (That was so funny!)

• digga/digger: This is a casual way to address a friend or buddy. It's similar to "mate" or "pal."

• Example: "Hey, Digga, was geht ab?" (Hey, mate, what's up?)

• sheesh: This word expresses surprise, disbelief, or even slight disapproval, often as an exclamation.

• Example: "Sheesh, ist das heiß heute!" (Wow, it's hot today!)

• goofen: This word means making unnecessary trouble.

• Example: "Hör auf zu goofen!" (Stop making trouble!)

• auf Lock: This means being relaxed and easy-going, or doing something without much effort.

• Example: "Ich mache das morgen auf Lock." (I'll do that tomorrow, nice and easy.)

• gut/guter Mann: This describes someone who is loyal or behaves well. It's a positive term.

• Example: "Er ist ein guter Mann." (He is loyal/reliable.)

• im Flow sein: This means being very focused and creative and staying on track with something.

• Example: "Ich bin gerade voll im Flow beim Schreiben." (I'm really in the zone with my writing right now.)

• eskalieren: This word is often used when a situation gets out of control or becomes very intense, especially at parties.

• Example: "Die Party ist voll eskaliert!" (The party got really wild!)

• gestört: This word is often used to describe something as very good, awesome, or incredible. But it can also have its original meaning of "not normal."

• Example: "Das Konzert war gestört gut!" (The concert was incredibly good!)

Anglicisms in Youth Language

Many words in youth language come from English. These words are called Anglicisms. They are often incorporated into German sentence structure and sometimes take on a slightly different meaning.

• nice: Comes from "nice" and means "very good," "great," or "cool."

• Example: "Das ist sehr nice!" (That's very nice!)

• lit: Comes from "lit" (illuminated, on fire) and means "great," "awesome," or "exciting." It's often used for parties or events.

• Example: "Die Party war lit!" (The party was lit!)

• ghosting: This means someone suddenly stops contact with a person without explanation, especially online or via messenger services. You basically become a "ghost."

• Example: "Er hat mich einfach geghostet." (He just ghosted me. He stopped replying and broke off contact.)

• catfish: This describes a person who pretends to be someone else online to deceive others.

• Example: "Ich wurde von einem Catfish betrogen." (I was tricked by a catfish. Someone deceived me online by using a fake identity.)

Regional and Special Expressions

Some words are only known in certain regions of Germany or in special groups.

• haxen (from Munich): If you are drunk, you are "haxe."

• Example: "Nach der Feier war ich voll haxe." (After the party, I was very drunk.)

• schnieke: This means "chic," "elegant," or "fashionable." It's used to describe something or someone as cool or good-looking.

• Example: "Deine neue Jacke ist voll schnieke." (Your new jacket is very chic/cool.)

• Fitna (from Arabic): This word means someone making unnecessary trouble or stirring up unrest.

• Example: "Er macht schon wieder Fitna." (He's causing trouble again.)

• 31 (einunddreißig): This word is known in the rap scene and means "traitor." It comes from a song.

• Example: "Du bist so ein 31er." (You're such a traitor.)

• wyld/wild: This comes from "wild" and is used to describe something as extreme, awesome, or especially cool.

• Example: "Das war wyld!" (That was awesome/incredible!)

Spellings in Youth Language

The way young people write can also differ, especially in messages or chats.

• nh: This is a short form for "ne" or "nicht." It's often used at the end of a sentence to form a question or seek agreement.

• Example: "Wir sehen uns später, nh?" (We'll see each other later, right?)

• sus: This comes from the English "suspicious" and is used when you find something strange or suspicious.

• Example: "Das ist voll sus, was er da macht." (That's really suspicious, what he's doing.)

Youth language is diverse and changes quickly. These examples give you an insight into the words that young people use today.