German words expats should know: Krass

Only the German language could have a “hip and trendy” youth slang word that actually has its roots in Latin. Today we take a look at the word “krass”, which should be high on your list of German terms to learn if you want to sound like a native (and one who’s down with the kids).

Krass meaning in English

A word that’s very common in everyday speech - particularly among younger Germans - but wouldn’t necessarily go down well at your local church or during an important board meeting at work, krass literally means “blatant” or “stark."

It originates from the Latin term “crassus," which means “gross” or “coarse." By the 18th century, krass was being used in Germany to describe somebody with little life experience. In the 19th century dictionary, the Brothers Grimm defined it as “clumsy, coarse, then bad, terrible, dreadful… a superlative power word popular in some circles.” 

Krass: Slang for just about everything, good or bad

Nowadays, common usage of the word in Germany has tended towards the Grimm brothers’ latter definition. Krass is a slang word that can be used to describe just about anything - whether good, bad or just plain surprising - to intensify meaning. When things get extreme, you can say, “Krass!” 

So, if you’ve just eaten the best plate of food you’ve ever tasted, you might say that it was “Krass." If you’ve had the most embarrassing encounter with an ex, you might also describe that as “Krass." If something laugh-out-loud hilarious happens, it’s “Krass," but so is the most disgusting thing you’ve ever seen.

“Was ein krasser Typ!” you might say, or, “Das Essen war krass!” Usually, you should be able to deduce whether the word is being used in a positive or a negative sense from the context. 

Krass can also be used on its own as a response to something, where nothing else is required except an affirmation of opinion. For instance, it would be an equally appropriate response to the sentence, “I won 500 euros on the lottery today!” as to “Someone stole my phone on the U-Bahn today!” “Krass!” 

The only German slang you’ll ever need

Once you get used to saying it, it can be hard to stop - a restaurant, a coffee, a colleague, a lamppost, everything can be krass. It’s the only word you’ll ever need.