It’s sausage to me: 10 most useful German phrases you need

Essential German slang includes "Das ist bescheuert" (that sucks), "Na?" (how're you doing?), "Das ist mir Wurst" (I don't care/it's sausage to me), and "Ich habe die Nase voll" (I'm sick of it). These 10 contemporary phrases help expats communicate beyond formal German learned in textbooks, covering everyday situations from ordering beer ("Ich besorge das Bier") to expressing frustration or describing mediocre experiences ("Nul acht funfzehn").

Learning formal German through Schiller's plays and Goethe's poems doesn't make you fluent in contemporary German. Whether you're moving to Germany or improving your language skills, these colloquial expressions, from "Kein Schwein war da" (nobody was there) to "Der spinnt" (he's nuts), help you sound more natural in everyday conversations.

10 Most Useful German Phrases

1. Das ist Bescheuert, that's ridiculous

Bescheuert is the catchall word for 'bad'. Das ist bescheuert means 'that sucks'. Got stood up? Das ist bescheuert. U-Bahn late? Das ist bescheuert. Whatever you don't like, it's bescheuert.

2. Na?, so?

Friends say "Na?" to ask "How're you doing?" Also used when the topic is understood: saying it to someone who had a big date means "So how'd it go? Details!" Not to be confused with "Na und?" (so what?).

3. Das ist mir Wurst, what do I care?

More emphatic than 'das ist mir egal' (I don't care). Literally 'it's sausage to me', meaning 'I don't care, it's all the same' or 'I couldn't care less'.

4. Ich besorge das Bier, I'll get the beer

Besorgen means 'to take care of', used informally for 'get something' or 'pay for something'. Useful at Oktoberfest or gatherings. Your friend will probably offer food, and when asked Bratwurst or Knackwurst, answer "Das ist mir Wurst" for a German pun!

5. Kein Schwein war da, nobody was there

Schwein (pig) is possibly the most-used German word. Kein Schwein war da (nobody was there), Schweinearbeit (tough job), Schweinegelt (ridiculously expensive). Call someone Schwein, insulting. Armes Schwein (poor pig), feel sorry for them. Schwein haben (to have pig), be lucky!

6. Der spinnt, he's nuts

Spinnen originally meant 'to spin' yarn but now means 'to be crazy' (possibly derived from mental asylum inmates spinning yarn). Often accompanied by moving palm side-to-side in front of face. Sometimes just the hand gesture.

7. Langsam langsam, little by little

Langsam means slow/slowly. Repeating it means 'little by little' or 'step by step', not 'very slowly'. Good noncommittal answer to "How's your German coming along?"

8. Das kannst du deiner Oma erzählen, tell it to your grandmother

Response to an unbelievable claim. "I'm studying German three hours daily. I'll be fluent in a week." "Oh yeah? Das kannst du deiner Oma erzählen!"

9. Nul acht funfzehn (0-8-15), standard issue/mediocre

The standard WWI rifle. Now a classy insult meaning "Meh" or mediocre. Useful for describing less-than-memorable experiences.

10. Ich habe die Nase voll davon, I'm sick of it

Literally 'I have the nose full', meaning sick of something/someone. "Enough already, Ich habe die Nase voll von German phrases."