39 Funny German Words and Phrases You Need to Know

Although many people think German is an intimidating language with harsh sounds and plenty of tongue twisters, that's not necessarily true. While one side of the German language may be a bit rough at times, the other side is filled with compound nouns that have hilarious English translations. To give you some context, here are 39 funny German words and phrases you need to know.

30 Funny German Words With Their Literal Translations

The German language is full of weird German words and phrases, many of which carry quite comical literal translations. This is bound to happen whenever you learn a new language, but when you start to grow your German vocabulary, you'll get a feel for the importance of compound words. Over time, long German words become eaiser to understand and you may even make a few up on your own! To help you get started, here are some funny words in German that you may actually use in everyday conversation.

1. der Dreikäsehoch

Literal translation: "Three cheeses high"

Meaning: A short or small child.

This trio of hilarious German words is meant to be a playful term to describe a child who is still very young and short, as if they’re only "three cheeses" tall. While the exact origin of why "cheeses" are used as a measurement is unclear, it conveys a sense of something tiny but precious—much like a toddler. It’s often used affectionately by parents or grandparents.

2. der Innerer Schweinehund

Literal translation: "Inner pig-dog"

Meaning: Your inner laziness or weaker self.

These quirky German words refer to the internal voice or resistance that holds you back from doing something difficult or unpleasant, like working out or waking up early. Germans speak about this "inner pig-dog" as the part of your psyche you have to overcome to be productive or disciplined. It humorously personifies procrastination and self-sabotage. In some instances, it may even be used as a playful German insult.

3. das Luftschloss

Literal translation: "Air castle"

Meaning: An unrealistic dream or fantasy.

"Luftschloss" is a German noun that describes an idea or plan that’s more of a fantasy than a practical reality. Much like "building castles in the air" in English, it refers to something that sounds great but lacks the grounding to actually happen. It’s used to highlight the unattainability of overly ambitious or fanciful ideas.

4. die Speisekarte

Literal translation: "Dish card"

Meaning: Menu

In German restaurants, the "Speisekarte" is what you ask for to see the food options available. While the literal translation "dish card" makes it sound like it would be a small index card, it’s simply the word for a menu.

5. die Eselsbrücke

Literal translation: "Donkey’s bridge"

Meaning: Mnemonic or memory aid.

An “Eselsbrücke” helps you remember difficult information by creating a simple trick or association. The word originates from the idea of making it easier for a donkey to cross a river by building a bridge. Similarly, a mnemonic bridges the gap in your memory, making complex things easier to remember. 

6. der Donnerbalken

Literal translation: "Thunder beam"

Meaning: Outdoor toilet or latrine.

Historically, a "Donnerbalken" was a wooden beam placed over a pit to be used as a makeshift toilet, often found in military camps or rural areas. The "thunder" part humorously refers to the loud noises people might make while using the bathroom. It's a crass but clever way to describe such a basic, noisy setup.

7. der Wildpinkler

Literal translation: "Wild pee-er"

Meaning: Someone who urinates in public.

This funny German word is a slightly cheeky term for someone who can’t resist the urge to relieve themselves outdoors, whether out of necessity or disregard for public decorum. It describes someone who doesn’t bother finding a bathroom when nature calls.

8. der Handschuhe

Literal translation: "Handshoe"

Meaning: Glove

This is one of those perfectly logical German compounds where the meaning is clear from the words. A glove is, quite literally, a "shoe for your hand." It’s an everyday item, yet the literal translation makes it sound amusing because English doesn’t use such direct descriptions for clothing.

9. der Drahtesel

Literal translation: "Wire donkey"

Meaning: Bicycle

Another funny German word, "Drahtesel," is used for bicycles because they are similar to simple, dependable means of transport (much like donkeys in the past). However, this term is more commonly used to describe an old, rusty bike rather than a new or modern one.

10. der Scheinwerfer

Literal translation: "Shine thrower"

Meaning: Headlight or spotlight

A "Scheinwerfer" throws light forward, which makes the literal translation spot-on. Whether it’s the headlights on a car or stage lights in a theater, "Scheinwerfer" are devices designed to illuminate the space ahead, making the term highly descriptive and practical.

11. das Sitzfleisch

Literal translation: "Seat meat"

Meaning: The ability to sit still for long periods.

"Sitzfleisch" refers to someone’s ability to endure sitting for extended periods, whether at work, in school, or while studying. It can also be used to say you've gained a little bit of extra weight. More often, Germans use this phrase to indicate patience or diligence, as it takes a lot of "seat meat" to stick to a task that requires hours of sitting, especially when learning German. To help give your language journey some variety, download Tandem today and match with a native speaker.

12. der Stubentiger

Literal translation: "Room tiger"

Meaning: Domestic cat

This funny German term refers to a pet cat that tends to stay indoors yet still prowls around. Though they may not be as fearsome as real tigers, house cats carry themselves with that same feline pride, and "Stubentiger" captures that miniature version of tiger-like behavior in a domestic setting. However, die Katze is used much more often in everyday language.

13. das Fernweh

Literal translation: "Distance ache"

Meaning: A deep longing to travel or explore faraway places.

"Fernweh" is the opposite of "Heimweh" (homesickness). It describes the intense desire to travel and explore the world, often felt by those with a wanderlust spirit. Although the literal translation puts it on the list of funny German words, "Fernweh" is quite poetic when you think about it.

14. das Flugzeug

Literal translation: "Flight stuff"

Meaning: Airplane

In typical German compound fashion, "Flugzeug" describes an airplane in the most straightforward terms—something that flies. It breaks down into "Flug" (flight) and "Zeug" (stuff), which could seem amusingly vague, but in context, it simply refers to any vehicle or apparatus that flies through the air.

15. das Zahnfleisch

Literal translation: "Tooth meat"

Meaning: Gums

This is another funny German word with quite a gruesome-sounding literal translation. Germans call the gums "Zahnfleisch" because they’re the fleshy part that supports your teeth (your tooth meat), making it a straightforward yet oddly graphic term.

16. die Schildkröte

Literal translation: "Shield toad"

Meaning: Turtle

There are also plenty of words for German animals that sound funny when broken down. For example, a turtle’s defining feature is its hard shell, which acts like a shield. The word "Schildkröte" combines "Schild" (shield) and "Kröte" (toad), likely due to the turtle's resemblance to a big toad covered in a protective shield.

17. die Fledermaus

Literal translation: "Flutter mouse"

Meaning: Bat

Bats, with their quick, erratic flight patterns and resemblance to small rodents, are known as "flutter mice" in German. It’s a literal description of what they are—furry creatures that flutter through the air.

18. das Erdferkel

Literal translation: "Earth piglet"

Meaning: Aardvark

This funny German word is the English equivalent of an aardvark. The aardvark is a burrowing mammal with a pig-like snout, so Germans call it "Erdferkel," which means "earth piglet." 

19. der Hexenschuss

Literal translation: "Witch's shot"

Meaning: A sudden sharp pain in the back (lumbago).

"Hexenschuss" refers to the sudden, stabbing pain often felt in the lower back, as if someone had shot you with an arrow or a spell. The "witch" part adds a mystical or sinister touch, potentially originating from believing that curses or magical forces caused sudden ailments.

20. das Meerschweinchen

Literal translation: "Little sea pig"

Meaning: Guinea pig

Despite its name, the guinea pig neither comes from the sea nor is it related to pigs. It’s thought that early sailors brought them to Europe from across the ocean, which may explain the "sea" part of the name, while "pig" comes from their squeaky sounds and stocky bodies.

21. die Versuchskaninchen

Literal translation: "Experiment rabbits"

Meaning: Guinea pigs (as in test subjects).

When Germans talk about "Versuchskaninchen," they’re referring to people or animals used in experiments. While English uses "guinea pigs" as a metaphor for test subjects, Germans use "rabbits" in this role, as rabbits are also commonly used in scientific experiments.

22. das Stachelschwein

Literal translation: "Spike pig"

Meaning: Porcupine

This hilarious German word for a porcupine captures its spiky, pig-like appearance. With its back covered in quills, the porcupine is humorously referred to as a "spike pig," which is an accurate yet funny visual description of the animal’s prickly defense system.

23. der Spaßvogel

Literal translation: "Fun bird"

Meaning: Joker or prankster

A "Spaßvogel" is someone who loves to make jokes and entertain others, often through pranks or humor. Germans affectionately call funny or witty people "fun birds," evoking the image of a cheerful, light-hearted person who spreads joy like a bird chirping in the morning.

24. der Tintenfisch

Literal translation: "Ink fish"

Meaning: Squid or octopus

Both squids and octopuses are known for their ability to squirt ink as a defense mechanism, and Germans aptly call them "ink fish" because of this.

25. die Naschkatze

Literal translation: "Treat cat"

Meaning: Someone with a sweet tooth

A "Naschkatze" is someone who loves to snack, especially on sweets. The term implies that this person sneaks or indulges in sugary treats the way a cat might sneak food off the table.

26. der Wasserhahn

Literal translation: "Water rooster"

Meaning: Faucet or tap

The funny German word for faucet, "Wasserhahn," literally means "water rooster." The connection to a rooster might seem odd at first, but it likely comes from the old-fashioned taps that resembled rooster heads.

27. die Nacktschnecke

Literal translation: "Naked snail"

Meaning: Slug

Since slugs are essentially snails without shells, Germans call them "naked snails." This hilariously accurate description points out the fact that slugs move around much like snails but without the protective shell. 

28. das Nashorn

Literal translation: "Nose horn"

Meaning: Rhinoceros

Rhinoceroses are famous for their large horns that grow right on their noses, so the German word for this massive animal is simply "nose horn."

29. die Warteschlange

Literal translation: "Waiting snake"

Meaning: Queue or line

In German, a long line of people waiting for something is referred to as a "waiting snake." The image of a long, winding snake creatively captures how people often queue up, sometimes stretching out in a long line. 

30. Feuchtfröhlich

Literal translation: "Wet and happy"

Meaning: Drunk or merry

"Feuchtfröhlich" is a funny German adjective that describes the jolly, happy mood that often accompanies drinking alcohol. "Wet" here refers to consuming drinks, while "happy" points to the good mood that follows. 

9 Funny Phrases in German and What They Mean

In addition to the several funny German words, there are also quite a few hilarious German phrases and idioms to add to your vocabulary. Some of the best (and funniest) include the following.

1. Leben ist kein Ponyhof

Literal translation: "Life is no pony farm."

Meaning: Life isn’t always easy or fun.

This German phrase is used to remind people that life isn’t all sunshine and rainbows. A "pony farm" conjures up an image of carefree happiness, but life, of course, involves challenges and hard work (and not nearly enough ponies). 

2. Alles hat in Ende, nur die Wurst hat zwei

Literal translation: "Everything has an end, only the sausage has two."

Meaning: All good things come to an end.

This humorous German phrase is a playful twist on the idea that everything in life has an ending, except sausages, which have two ends. It's often used to bring a lighthearted tone to the concept of finality or closure, whether you’re talking about events, relationships, or even parties.

3. Die beleidigte Leberwurst spielen

Literal translation: "To play the offended liver sausage."

Meaning: To sulk or overreact when feeling insulted.

This funny German idiom refers to someone being overly sensitive or acting as though they’ve been deeply offended, often without good reason. Why a liver sausage? It’s unclear, but the image of a sulking sausage is enough to make anyone smile. 

4. Ich glaube ich spinne

Literal translation: "I think I’m spider/spinning."

Meaning: "I can’t believe this" or "I must be crazy."

"Spinnen" can mean either "spider" or "spinning (yarn)", but it is used to say you're spinning out out control—often when someone is so shocked by something that they start to question their sanity. It’s similar to saying, "I think I’m going crazy!" in English. 

5. Das Blaue vom Himmel versprechen

Literal translation: "To promise the blue from the sky."

Meaning: To make unrealistic promises.

This German phrase refers to someone making impossible promises, often to impress or persuade someone else. The "blue from the sky" represents something unattainable and promising, while showing exaggeration or dishonesty.

6. Tomaten auf den Augen haben

Literal translation: "To have tomatoes on the eyes."

Meaning: To be oblivious or not see what’s going on around you.

This phrase is used when someone is completely missing something obvious. The idea is that having tomatoes on your eyes would block your vision, causing you to overlook something that’s right in front of you. 

7. Jezt haben wir den Salat

Literal translation: "Now we have the salad."

Meaning: Now we’ve got a mess.

This funny German idiom is used when something goes wrong or becomes chaotic, often after someone makes a mistake. It’s the equivalent of saying, "Now we’ve made a mess of things" in English. Why a salad? Perhaps because salad ingredients can end up in a messy mix, just like a situation that’s gone out of control.

8. Einen Zahn zulegen

Literal translation: "To add a tooth."

Meaning: To speed up.

This idiom originates from old cooking stoves, where turning up the heat involved moving a pot to a higher gear, or "tooth" on the stove’s mechanism. Nowadays, it means to hurry up, whether talking about working faster, driving quicker, or getting something done in less time.

9. Klappe zu, Affe tot

Literal translation: "Lid closed, monkey dead."

Meaning: The matter is settled, or the show is over.

This odd-sounding German phrase is speculated to originate from a few different places, like an old song or Low German. Despite where it came from, it's now used to signify the end of a situation, discussion, or activity, much like saying, "That’s a wrap."

Start Practicing Funny German Words With a Native Speaker Today

A lot of these funny German words can be used in everyday language, especially when talking about animals and various nouns. To help you make the most out of your new vocabulary words, download Tandem and match with a native German speaker today.

Tandem offers a unique language learning experience that will help you improve your German while learning to apply different German grammar rules in real conversations. All you need to do is download the app, sign up, and find a native speaker of your target language. Once you match, you’ll begin communicating through language exchange and one-on-one teaching. To join our worldwide community, sign up for Tandem today!