Word of the Week: Backpfeifengesicht (2024)

FAQs

Is backpfeifengesicht a bad word? ›

Backpfeifengesicht describes someone who you feel needs a slap in the face. You may want to be careful if and when you use this one: it's best used among good friends unless you're wanting to cause tension!

Backpfeifengesicht

Literal Meaning – “A face begging for a slap.” Explanation – Simply put, Backpfeifengesicht means a “slappable face”. But the truth is, it has no equivalent in the English language. Backpfeifengesicht is a German word whose English translation falls short of conveying its true meaning.

How to pronounce Backpfeifengesicht. Explaining the word Backpfeifengesischt might be a bit of a wordy exercise, but using it it is, thankfully, very simple. You'd simply say someone has a Backpfeifengesicht, as in: “Er hat ein richtiges Backpfeifengesicht” (he has a really slappable face).

This is one of those strange words that's uniquely German with no English equivalent. The word Backpfeife means “punch/slap” (on the cheek/face) and Gesicht means “face”. The word Backpfeifengesicht therefore means something along the lines of “a face that's begging to be slapped” – or punched. Or hurt.

Scheiße. One of the most common bad words in German, scheiße, has several creative constructions that mirror the English use of “sh*t.” Oh Scheiße!

Dummkopf is a mild insult that translates to “idiot” or “stupidhead.” While it's not the most offensive word on this list, it's still considered impolite and should be avoided.

Examples: Er hat ein richtiges Backpfeifengesicht; er ist total lästig. Das freche Fräulein hat ein Backpfeifengesicht. The cheeky young lady has a slappable face.

If you want to say the word “no” in German, you would simply say, “nein.” It sounds very close to the pronunciation of the English word for the number nine.

Schadenfreude is a combination of the German nouns Schaden, meaning "damage" or "harm," and Freude, meaning "joy." So it makes sense that schadenfreude means joy over some harm or misfortune suffered by another.

The German expression Kummerspeck – meaning 'grief. bacon' – refers to the excess weight gained from. emotional over-eating.

Why is Germany called Germany in English? ›

The Latin word or term "Germania," from which the English name "Germany" is derived, was used by the Romans to describe the areas beyond the Rhine where various Germanic tribes had settled.

Fremdschämen refers to vicarious or second-hand embarrassment. If someone does something so cringe or embarrassing that you feel embarrassment on their behalf, that is fremdschämen.

'Backpfeifengesicht'—a German word meaning "a face badly in need of a fist"—is a word people all over the world can appreciate. 51 Wonderful Words With No English Equivalent.

1. Purzelbaum. The German word Purzelbaum can sound particularly aggressive if the “r” is rolled and followed by pronouncing the “z” as a sharp “t” combined with a hissing sound. Its meaning doesn't quite match its sound.

Schadenfreude is a combination of the German nouns Schaden, meaning "damage" or "harm," and Freude, meaning "joy." So it makes sense that schadenfreude means joy over some harm or misfortune suffered by another.