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Interjections in German: how to use them correctly
21.01.2025
4 minutes to read
Interjections in German are small words that make speech lively and emotional. They help to express joy (Juhu!), surprise (Oh!), disappointment (Ach!), and sometimes even dissatisfaction (Mann!). Without them, phrases sound too dry, like a textbook text. But you need to use interjections correctly - not all of them are suitable for every situation. Let's find out what interjections there are in German and how to avoid embarrassment when using them!
Table of contents
Interjections in German come in many forms: some convey emotions, others help you sound more natural in conversation. Let's categorize them in order not just to remember them, but to actually use them in speech.
1- Emotional interjections
These are the most vivid interjections that express joy, surprise, annoyance and other emotions.
- Oh!” is the classic ‘Oh!’ for surprise. Oh, das ist ja toll! (Oh, that's awesome!)
- Ach! - expresses disappointment or relief. Ach, schade! (Ach, schade!)
- Juhu! - joy and delight. Juhu, wir haben Ferien! (Yay, we're on vacation!)
- Igitt! - disgust. Igitt, das ist ja eklig! (Ew, that's disgusting!)
- Aua! - pain. Aua, das tut weh! (Ouch, it hurts!)
2. Colloquial insertions for naturalness
These words don't have a specific meaning, but they make speech more lively and more like real German.
- Tja... - something like “Well...” when you are thinking. Tja, ich weiß nicht. (Well, I don't know.)
- Ähm... - 'Ähm...', a pause as you pick up the words. Ähm, also... was wollte ich sagen? (Ähm, also... was wollte ich sagen?)
- Na ja... - “Well, yes...” if you don't quite agree. Na ja, könnte besser sein. (Well, yes, it could have been better.)
3. Interjections to attract attention
These words are used to call someone out or start a conversation.
- He! - “Hey!” He, warte mal! (Hey, wait!)
- Hallo! - greeting or calling attention. Hallo, hören Sie mich? (Hallo, can you hear me?)
- Psst! - a request to be quiet. Psst, sei leise! (Shh, be quiet!)
4. Irritation and discontent
If you don't like something, Germans also use interjections.
- Mann! - something like “Mann!” Mann, ist das nervig! (Mann, how annoying!).
- Mist! - the soft equivalent of a swear word, like “Shit!” Mist, ich habe den Bus verpasst! (Shit, I missed the bus!)
- Tststs... - a clucking sound that expresses judgment. Tststs, das ist doch nicht in Ordnung! (Tststs, das ist doch nicht in Ordnung!).
5. Interjections of politeness
To sound friendly, you can add these interjections to your speech:
- Oh! - surprise, but also an expression of sympathy. Oh, das tut mir leid! (Oh, I'm so sorry!)
- Hm... - thinking before agreeing. Hm, okay... (Hm, okay...).
- Ach so! - “Ach so!” Ach so, jetzt verstehe ich! (Ach so, jetzt verstehe ich!)
1- Emotional interjections
These are the most vivid interjections that express joy, surprise, annoyance and other emotions.
- Oh!” is the classic ‘Oh!’ for surprise. Oh, das ist ja toll! (Oh, that's awesome!)
- Ach! - expresses disappointment or relief. Ach, schade! (Ach, schade!)
- Juhu! - joy and delight. Juhu, wir haben Ferien! (Yay, we're on vacation!)
- Igitt! - disgust. Igitt, das ist ja eklig! (Ew, that's disgusting!)
- Aua! - pain. Aua, das tut weh! (Ouch, it hurts!)
2. Colloquial insertions for naturalness
These words don't have a specific meaning, but they make speech more lively and more like real German.
- Tja... - something like “Well...” when you are thinking. Tja, ich weiß nicht. (Well, I don't know.)
- Ähm... - 'Ähm...', a pause as you pick up the words. Ähm, also... was wollte ich sagen? (Ähm, also... was wollte ich sagen?)
- Na ja... - “Well, yes...” if you don't quite agree. Na ja, könnte besser sein. (Well, yes, it could have been better.)
3. Interjections to attract attention
These words are used to call someone out or start a conversation.
- He! - “Hey!” He, warte mal! (Hey, wait!)
- Hallo! - greeting or calling attention. Hallo, hören Sie mich? (Hallo, can you hear me?)
- Psst! - a request to be quiet. Psst, sei leise! (Shh, be quiet!)
4. Irritation and discontent
If you don't like something, Germans also use interjections.
- Mann! - something like “Mann!” Mann, ist das nervig! (Mann, how annoying!).
- Mist! - the soft equivalent of a swear word, like “Shit!” Mist, ich habe den Bus verpasst! (Shit, I missed the bus!)
- Tststs... - a clucking sound that expresses judgment. Tststs, das ist doch nicht in Ordnung! (Tststs, das ist doch nicht in Ordnung!).
5. Interjections of politeness
To sound friendly, you can add these interjections to your speech:
- Oh! - surprise, but also an expression of sympathy. Oh, das tut mir leid! (Oh, I'm so sorry!)
- Hm... - thinking before agreeing. Hm, okay... (Hm, okay...).
- Ach so! - “Ach so!” Ach so, jetzt verstehe ich! (Ach so, jetzt verstehe ich!)
What are interjections in German?
Derived interjections
In addition to regular interjections, which consist of a single word (Oh!, Ach!, Mist!), German has derived interjections, which are whole constructions that also express emotion, but sound a little more complex. They can consist of several words or be modified versions of existing expressions.
1. Interjections-reactions to the situation
These expressions help to express surprise, disbelief, or delight when the words themselves do not come to mind.
- Ach, du meine Güte! - “Oh my God!” This is an expression of surprise or slight consternation.
- Oh Mann! - “Oh my God, here we go...” Used when something is annoying or disappointing.
- Meine Güte! - “My joy!” (literally), but actually means something like “Oh wow!” or “Gee!”
- Na sowas! - “Wow!” Suitable for expressing surprise.
2. Derived interjections in colloquial speech
They help to sound natural and add emotion to ordinary phrases.
- Na, was geht? - “Well, how are you?” or “What's up?” (informally).
- Mensch! - “What the hell!” or “Shit!” Often expresses annoyance.
- Tja, was soll man machen... - “Well, what can you do...” When nothing can be changed.
- Nanu? - “Oh, what's that?” A slight surprise when something doesn't go as expected.
3. Derivative interjections in polite speech
These expressions will help you sound friendly without sounding too harsh.
- Ach, wie schön! - “Ah, how beautiful!” or “How nice!”
- Na gut! - “Na gut!” Agreement without much enthusiasm.
- Also bitte! - “Well please!” or “No way!” depending on the intonation.
4. Long emotional reactions
When one word is not enough, Germans use whole phrases, which are also considered interjections.
- So ein Mist! - “Holy shit!” or “What a nightmare!”
- Das gibt's doch nicht! - “This can't be happening!”
- Himmel, Arsch und Zwirn! - “Thunder and lightning!” or “Fuck me!” (roughly, but without swearing).
1. Interjections-reactions to the situation
These expressions help to express surprise, disbelief, or delight when the words themselves do not come to mind.
- Ach, du meine Güte! - “Oh my God!” This is an expression of surprise or slight consternation.
- Oh Mann! - “Oh my God, here we go...” Used when something is annoying or disappointing.
- Meine Güte! - “My joy!” (literally), but actually means something like “Oh wow!” or “Gee!”
- Na sowas! - “Wow!” Suitable for expressing surprise.
2. Derived interjections in colloquial speech
They help to sound natural and add emotion to ordinary phrases.
- Na, was geht? - “Well, how are you?” or “What's up?” (informally).
- Mensch! - “What the hell!” or “Shit!” Often expresses annoyance.
- Tja, was soll man machen... - “Well, what can you do...” When nothing can be changed.
- Nanu? - “Oh, what's that?” A slight surprise when something doesn't go as expected.
3. Derivative interjections in polite speech
These expressions will help you sound friendly without sounding too harsh.
- Ach, wie schön! - “Ah, how beautiful!” or “How nice!”
- Na gut! - “Na gut!” Agreement without much enthusiasm.
- Also bitte! - “Well please!” or “No way!” depending on the intonation.
4. Long emotional reactions
When one word is not enough, Germans use whole phrases, which are also considered interjections.
- So ein Mist! - “Holy shit!” or “What a nightmare!”
- Das gibt's doch nicht! - “This can't be happening!”
- Himmel, Arsch und Zwirn! - “Thunder and lightning!” or “Fuck me!” (roughly, but without swearing).
Non-derivative interjections in German
Non-derivative interjections are simple, one-word expressions that convey emotion but do not require changes or complex constructions. They are as brief and clear as possible, suitable for quick reactions in any situation.
Immediate reactions These interjections help express a wide range of feelings, from surprise to annoyance.
- Ach! - “Ah!” A simple but strong expression of surprise or slight sadness. - Oh! “Oh!” Often used to express delight or admiration. - Mensch! - “Man!” Words of surprise or disappointment when something is not as desired.
Reactions to pain or trouble Non-derivative interjections help express displeasure, pain, or surprise at an unpleasant situation.
- Au! - “Ouch!” A simple response to pain. - Huch! - “Huch!” A slight fright or surprise. - Oje! - “Ouch!” More often used when something has gone wrong.
Surprise reactions With these interjections, German can express brief but vivid surprise.
- Wahnsinn! - “Madness!” To express overwhelming admiration. - Echt? - “Really?” Usually used when something seems unbelievable or difficult to comprehend.
Non-derivative interjections are often used in everyday speech, they are short and crisp, making them handy for quick reactions to any event.
Immediate reactions These interjections help express a wide range of feelings, from surprise to annoyance.
- Ach! - “Ah!” A simple but strong expression of surprise or slight sadness. - Oh! “Oh!” Often used to express delight or admiration. - Mensch! - “Man!” Words of surprise or disappointment when something is not as desired.
Reactions to pain or trouble Non-derivative interjections help express displeasure, pain, or surprise at an unpleasant situation.
- Au! - “Ouch!” A simple response to pain. - Huch! - “Huch!” A slight fright or surprise. - Oje! - “Ouch!” More often used when something has gone wrong.
Surprise reactions With these interjections, German can express brief but vivid surprise.
- Wahnsinn! - “Madness!” To express overwhelming admiration. - Echt? - “Really?” Usually used when something seems unbelievable or difficult to comprehend.
Non-derivative interjections are often used in everyday speech, they are short and crisp, making them handy for quick reactions to any event.
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