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How to Say ‘Jerk’ in German

Der Mistkerl

dair MIST-kairl

[dair MIST-kairl]

💬 Usage Tip: This is Mist plus Kerl "guy", so literally a "crap guy". German builds plenty of insults by gluing words together like this.

Phrase Breakdown

Der

[dair]

the

Feminine article in the dative case, used after 'in' for location.

Example

Das steht in der Zeitung.

That's in the newspaper.

Mistkerl

[MIST-kairl]

bastard / scumbag

Insult for a nasty, mean man; literally 'manure guy'.

Example

Dieser Mistkerl hat mich belogen!

That bastard lied to me!

Guides for German learners

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