Why do Germans keep saying "Alter"?
- Sarah
- Aug 7
- 2 min read
Why do Germans keep saying "Alter"? And 5 everyday words your German friends love – but you probably don't get (yet).
"Alter” isn’t just about age. It’s one of those words Germans throw into everyday speech – all the time.
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1. “Alter!” – Not just “old man”
When Germans say Alter, they’re (usually) not talking about your age.
It’s more like:
“Alter!” = “Whaaat?!”
“Ey, Alter…” = “Dude…”
“Krass, Alter.” = “Wow, that’s intense.”
It’s casual, slightly edgy, and mostly used with friends – but it’s rarely offensive.
Tip:
You don’t have to use it yourself – but it’s good to recognise when it’s being used. And no, it’s not about your wrinkles.
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2. “krass” – The Swiss Army knife of adjectives
Krass is basically the German version of “wow”.
But with more range.
“Das war krass!” = impressive
“Krass, wie teuer!” = shocked
“Krasser Typ.” = strong/cool guy
Depending on the tone, *krass* can be positive, negative or just plain surprised.
Tip:
The trick is in the tone. That’s what gives krass its meaning.
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3. “Echt jetzt?” – Really? Seriously? Are you joking?
If a German looks at you and says:
“Echt jetzt?”
they could mean several things:
Surprised: “Really?”
Ironic: “Are you serious?”
Annoyed: “You actually did that?”
Tip:
Pay attention to their voice and face.
It’s all about the *attitude* behind the phrase.
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4. “Bock haben” – To feel like doing something (or not)
You’ll hear this one all the time:
“Ich hab keinen Bock.” = I can’t be bothered.
“Hast du Bock auf Kino?” = Fancy going to the cinema?
“Mega Bock aufs Wochenende!” = Can’t wait for the weekend!
Fun fact: Bock literally means “goat”. But in slang, it’s all about motivation and mood.
Tip:
Use “Bock haben” carefully – kein Bock can come across as lazy or negative.
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5. “Na?” – The shortest conversation in German
One syllable. One question.
And sometimes – one full conversation.
“Na?” can mean:
“How are you?”
"Everything OK?”
"Are you ready?”
And the answer?
Usually just: “Na.” Or a nod. Or a smile.
Tip:
If someone says 'Na?' to you, don’t panic. It’s small talk – German style.
Why I’m writing this blog?
Because I talk about these things with our students at GermanMind every day.
Grammar is important – of course.
But these are the words that bring German to life.
The real, human, emotional German you won’t find in your textbook.
And if you want to speak German confidently – you need this stuff.
At GermanMind, we don’t just teach rules.
We teach what people actually say.
👉 Want more tips like this?
German doesn’t have to be hard – it just has to be real.
Whether you're learning online or at our school in Dublin, our next courses are open now. From grammar to culture – we’ve got you covered.
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