154 German Words That Don't Translate - Does Not Translate

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Gespannt sein·A neutral version of looking forward to something or being apprehensive about something.

Besserwisser·Someone who always knows better (pejorative).

(lit. Anticipation) Vorfreude·(n.) The joyful, intense anticipation that comes from imagining future pleasures.

asozial·Acting with utter disregard for social norms of decency.

Alter lass den Niveaulimbo·- Dude, refrain from participating in a limbo dance contest using the standard of refinement as the bar.

Schwarzfahren·Riding Black.

die Arschkarte ziehen (lit. to draw the ass-card)·To have bad luck.

Gretchenfrage·A question which aims directly at the core of an issue.

Mit der Tür ins Haus fallen·Falling with the door into the house.

Erlösungsfreudeschuldbewusstsein·Guilt at the relief of a loved one’s death.

(das passt) wie die Faust auf’s Auge·Expression used when observing clashing clothes/accessories/colors/etc.

Passive Armament·Protective equipment that prevents the police from giving you a nice proper beating.

Armutszeugnis [lit. proof of poverty·Proof of someones inadequacy, a pathetic display.

O-Ton·A phrase someone you know always says.

verpolen·V. to connect an electronic component or device incorrectly.

Zersetzungserscheinungen·Showing signs of dissolution, literally or figuratively.

Da haben wir den Salat!·- meaning something like Now we have the mess!. Salat (salad) is being used as a substitution for Chaos/Durcheinander (chaos/mess).

Duales Studium·A specific education type that lacks an English term.

Halt die Ohren steif!·Keep/hold your ears stiff, meaning roughly don't give up.

Fingerspitzengefühl·A sixth sense of sizing up the situation.

Mit Schmackes·Doing a physical task with vigor.

Trotzdem·Regardless, anyway, nevertheless, even so, still.

Scheinheilig·Seem to be holy; to be hypocritical/sanctimonious.

Brötchen holen·To fetch bread rolls.

verenden (v.), of animals·To die a slow and agonizing death.

Schadenfreude·DOES translate, but it's a verb in English.

– eating yourself hungry. Basically, the act of eating so slow and one after the other, that there’s more time inbetween to get hungrier than there is food to be full·Eating yourself hungry. Basically, the act of eating so slow and one after the other, that there's more time inbetween to get hungrier than there is food to be full.

Wegbier·A beer you have while commuting someplace.

scheinfrei (adj.) of students·Having passed all classes necessary to graduate (but possibly not the final exam and thesis).

Schilderwald·A confusing mess of sign posts, especially in road traffic.