10 Lovely Terms of Endearment to Woo Germans from Munich to Cologne (2023)

10 Lovely Terms of Endearment to Woo Germans from Munich to Cologne (1)

By emilycataneo Last updated:

There’s a certain stereotype about the German language; namely, that it’s harsh.

The language of commands. Of exacting precision. Of philosophy.

But could German be a language of love?

Read on to find out.

Contents

  • Key Things to Know AboutGerman Terms of Endearment
  • 10 German Terms of Endearmentto Know
    • 1. Schatz(der)
    • 2. Maus(die)
    • 3. Hase (der)
    • 4. Bärchen
    • 5. Liebling(der)
    • 6. Engel (der)
    • 7. Schnucki (das)
    • 8. Perle (die)
    • 9. Süße (die) / Süßer (der)
    • 10. Zaubermaus

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Key Things to Know AboutGerman Terms of Endearment

1. Many of them are derived from animal names.

In English, we say “sweetie,” “honey,” “babe” or, maybe, if we’re elderly grandmas, “pumpkin.” German terms of endearment, however, stem largely from the animal world. If you’ve ever wanted to call your girlfriend “little bear” or “magic mouse,” you’ve come to the right language.

2. Many of them are suitable for children or significant others.

Some of German’s pet names are interchangeable for children or partners. Others are better suited to one or the other. Make sure to pay attention to the difference, so you don’t embarrass yourself by calling your new German boyfriend by the same pet name his mother used for him when he was five.

3. When it comes to “I love you” in German, there are a few crucial differences in the way you say it.

In English, you either tell someone you like them or you love them. In German, there’s a step between like and love.Ich habe dich lieb(I love you) is a less intense version of Ich liebe dich (I love you). Make sure you’re saying what you mean—you don’t want to scare off your new suitor!

4. They’re all about diminutive forms.

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Diminutive forms in German are basically the cute version of a word; as you can imagine, many terms of endearment rely on the diminutive forms of ordinary German words.

You form the diminutive by adding -chen or -lein to the end of a word. So, for example, Bär (bear) becomes Bärchen (little, cute bear). You can also make a German word cute by adding -i to the end. For example, Maus (mouse) would become Mausi.Remember that diminutive nouns are always neutral, so they take the das pronoun.

One way to get past the confusion is to learn how native Germans use these words. The FluentU program might help because it takes authentic German videos and turns them into language lessons, so you can watch how Germans use affectionate terms while utilizing the learning features to cement your new vocabulary in your mind.

And now, for the sweet German terms that melt hearts.

10 German Terms of Endearmentto Know

Learn these terms of endearment, and you’ll be wooing Germans from Munich to Cologne in no time.

1. Schatz(der)

What does it mean literally?

Jewel, gem or treasure.

Who should you use it for, and howpopular is it?

Schatz is the most common German term of endearment, according to surveys. Couples all over the country call each other thispet name or one of its many cute forms, such asSchätzchen (little treasure) or Schatzi (little treasure).

It’s also very common to use with children. Go to any playground in Berlin and you’ll hear the word Schatz flyingaroundfrom moms and dads.

2. Maus(die)

What does it mean literally?

Mouse.

Who should you use it for, and how popular is it?

Believe it or not, you can use this term of endearment for your significant other, although it’s also quite common for use with small children.If you’re using it with a child, however, you might want to transform it into the diminutive form, Mäuschenor Mausi (both mean “little mouse”).

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This name is more popular for women, and it ranks in the top five of popular German terms of endearment.

3. Hase (der)

What does it mean literally?

Bunny.

Who should you use it for, and how popular is it?

Rumor has it that this one’s more commonly used for woman than for men, so tread carefully if you’re using it with a boyfriend or husband. Like Maus (mouse), Hase can be made cuter with diminutives, such as HäschenorHasi.

4. Bärchen

What does it mean literally?

Little bear.

Who should you use it for, and how popular is it?

Anyone! Boyfriend, girlfriend, husband, wife, child—although it’s most commonly used by and formen and women in same-sex relationships. Just stay away from using the non-diminutive form of bear (Bär), since bearsdon’t fit into the cute cuddly paradigm of other German terms of endearment.

This is a popular one—like Maus, it ranks in the top five.

5. Liebling(der)

What does it mean literally?

This word translates roughly to the English “darling,” although it can also be used to mean “favorite,” as in “mein Lieblingsfilm” (my favorite film).

Who should you use it for, and howpopularis it?

Like “darling,” you can use this one for anyone, although it lacks the creative flair of German’s animal nicknames. It doesn’t crack the top five in popularity, but you’ll find it in the top ten.

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6. Engel (der)

What does it mean literally?

Angel.

Who should you use it for, and how popular is it?

Engel is more popularly used to nickname women than men, although it’s also popular for men in same-sex relationships.

7. Schnucki (das)

What does it mean literally?

This one has no direct English translation. It’s basically a cute-sounding word made up to express love. It’s not dissimilar to “sweetie-pie,” though.

Who should you use it for, and how popular is it?

You can use Schnucki for whoever you want. It ranks in the top ten of common terms of endearment as well.

8. Perle (die)

What does it mean literally?

Pearl.

Who should you use it for, and how popular is it?

Although it’s unusual and striking, this name isn’t very common or popular. It’s most often heard in the Ruhr Valley, in the industrial areas in Western Germany.

9. Süße (die) / Süßer (der)

What does it mean literally?

Sweet.

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Who should you use it for, and how popular is it?

Süße lands in the top ten, so it’s a fairly popular name in Germany, suitable for just about anyone. Remember that because Süße is an adjective in German, it receives different endings based on the person it’s describing (a man would be Süßer, a woman would be Süße).

10. Zaubermaus

What does it mean literally?

Magic mouse.

Who should you use it for, and how popular is it?

All right, admittedly, Zaubermaus isn’t a very common term of endearment here in Germany. But, hey, hopefully it givesyouan idea of the breadth and creativity (not to mention the oddity) of German pet names.

After all, if we’re talking about uncommon pet names, besides Zaubermaus, we have dieSchnecke (snail),dieBiene (bee) and derMausebär (mouse bear).

Clearly, despite German’s reputation as a harsh and brutal language, there’s no shortage of ways to show your affection for your children, your husband, wife, girlfriend, boyfriend or even close friend.

English’s sweetie, honey and darling really don’t come close to a language where you can describe your partner or new romantic interest as a pearl or a bee—or really, as anything you want (some German couples even call their loved ones less-than-flattering nicknames like Schlumpfor “smurf.”)

So what are you waiting for?

Practice and memorize these ten terms of endearment, study up on your romantic German phrases and learn a romantic song in German.

You’ll be wooing your new Freund (boyfriend) or Freundin(girlfriend) in no time at all.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)

FAQs

How do you call someone lovely in German? ›

Nett “nice” and toll “great” are frequently used words for all people, animals, locations, and events.
  1. Süß “cute” German. ...
  2. Hübsch “pretty” German. ...
  3. Nett “nice” German. ...
  4. Toll “great” German. ...
  5. Schön “beautiful” German. ...
  6. Hinreißend “gorgeous” German. ...
  7. Gut aussehend “good-looking” German. ...
  8. Atemberaubend “breathtaking” German.
Jan 28, 2022

How do you say beautiful in German for guys? ›

“Beautiful” in German – Schön

In German, you can use schön to tell someone they're “lovely” or “beautiful”. But it's also common to say it with more intensity: wunderschön, or “very beautiful”. Du bist wunderschön means “you're very beautiful!”

What is the German word for sweetheart or darling? ›

Liebling is a gender-neutral term, Liebes is a female term, both mean “darling” or “sweetheart”.

How do Germans express love? ›

Unlike other languages, the German expression “Ich liebe dich” is almost exclusively used in romantic relationships. Nevertheless, Germans like to express their love for their friends and family too. In most cases, they say “Ich hab' dich lieb,” which could be translated as “I have love for you.”

What is the sweetest word in German? ›

Schatz, Liebling, Kuschelbär (pet names)

I have to admit that I don't use these in my relationship and hear them very seldom from others. When I do hear any of them, it's usually Schatz, which literally translates to “treasure.” Liebling translates to “favorite” or “beloved,” while Kuschelbär means “cuddle bear.”

How do you compliment a German guy? ›

Top 10 German Compliments
  1. 'Du siehst heute toll aus' is a unisex statement that means you look fantastic today. ...
  2. 'Du bist sehr schön' means you're beautiful. ...
  3. 'Du siehst umwerfend aus! ...
  4. 'Gelb steht dir' means 'yellow just suits you well. ...
  5. 'Deine Frisur gefällt mir' means 'I just love your hairstyle.
Jan 25, 2022

What is German slang for darling? ›

Liebling (darling)

"Liebling" is about as close as German comes to the English "darling." While the expression contains the word for love - "Liebe" - it's also borrowed for other purposes. Liebling can be used as a prefix meaning "favorite." Your "Lieblingsbuch," for example, is your favorite book.

What is the German term of endearment for a man? ›

In German, süß is an adjective meaning “sweet”. You can use it as a noun to address a loved one. In this case, it becomes capitalized and is inflected for gender. If you're addressing a man, it should be Süßer, for example mein Süßer – my sweet (man).

How do Germans express excitement? ›

German Interjections to Express Joy

In English you can express joy by saying “Hooray!”, “Yay!”, or if you're feeling traditional, “Yippee!” German also has several words for “hooray”: Hurra (pronounced with a light breath in), Jippi and Juhu.

What is German slang for hottie? ›

hottie {noun}

heißer Typ {m} [coll.]

What do you call babe in Germany? ›

babe {noun}

Puppe {f} [fam.] Schatz {n} [fam.]

What is the German romantic term of endearment? ›

Schatz is the most common German term of endearment, according to surveys. Couples all over the country call each other this pet name or one of its many cute forms, such as Schätzchen (little treasure) or Schatzi (little treasure). It's also very common to use with children.

What do Germans call their mates? ›

You might have guessed it, Freund/Freundin is the most common word to say friend in German. While Freund refers to the male form, Freundin refers to the female form. Freund/Freundin describes a close friendly relationship with the person.

Are Germans touchy feely people? ›

Germans are, as a whole, not especially touchy-feely type people, so the lack of intimate physical touch also functions as a bonus lifehack of living and working in Germany. Organize yourself and pay attention to details.

What is the German symbol of love? ›

A blue flower (German: Blaue Blume) was a central symbol of inspiration for the Romanticism movement, and remains an enduring motif in Western art today. It stands for desire, love, and the metaphysical striving for the infinite and unreachable.

What are cute nicknames in German? ›

“Liebling” & More Sweet German Nicknames To Call Your Loved Ones
  • Snail: Schnecke, Schneckchen.
  • Darling: Liebling.
  • Angel: Engel, Engelchen, Engelein.
  • Sweetie pie: Schnucki.
  • Treasure: Schatz.
  • Sweetheart: Liebchen.
  • Cutie: Schnuckelchen, Schnuckel, Schnuckiputzi.
  • Pearl: Perle.
Feb 1, 2023

What does Schatzi mean? ›

schatzi in American English

(ˈʃɑːtsi) noun. slang. sweetheart; darling. [1955–60; ‹ G Schatzi (orig.

How do Germans say pretty? ›

Hübsch can mean handsome, cute or pretty and can be used interchangeably for males and females.

How to flirt with German boys? ›

Calm Down And Have An Actual Conversation (For Awhile)

The love language that Germans best understand — at least early on in the game — is intellectual conversation, not smarmy pickup lines and handsy body language. Ideally, you'll want to keep the conversation stimulating and avoid dull small talk.

Are German men romantic? ›

German men are more romantic and say "I love you" more often than their female counterparts, according to a poll released by Reader's Digest on Tuesday.

How do Germans show respect? ›

A quick, firm handshake is the traditional greeting. Titles are very important and denote respect. Use a person's title and their surname until invited to use their first name. You should say Herr or Frau and the person's title and their surname.

What is the German word for kiss? ›

The English word kiss is related to the German word küssen by way of the Old English cyssa. It also has cognates in Dutch, Danish and Swedish.

What does putzi mean in German? ›

Putzi. (das) baby [österr.] (das) baby [österr.], a dog name.

What is bub in German slang? ›

Noun. A young brother; a little boy; a familiar term of address for a small boy.

What do Germans love to talk about? ›

When it comes to small talk, Germans rarely chat about personal matters at first. Instead, they focus on sports, traveling, movies or cooking. You should avoid potentially controversial topics like politics or religion, reserving them for good friends only.

How do you get German people to like you? ›

3 Tips To Make German Friends
  1. Learn The German Language. Germans are more receptive to foreigners when they make an effort to speak German. ...
  2. Be Patient When Making Friends In Germany. Germans need time to warm up to new people. ...
  3. Stick To Your Word. One of the main foundations of friendship for Germans is trust.
May 13, 2022

What endearments do men like to be called? ›

125 Cute Nicknames To Call Your Boyfriend
  • Darling.
  • Stud Muffin.
  • Boo Bear.
  • Mister Man.
  • Baby.
  • Sweets.
  • Bubba.
  • Captain.
Feb 15, 2023

How do Germans feel about touch? ›

Physical Contact: People tend not to touch one another very much during communication unless they are close friends. Touching someone on the shoulder or arm to emphasise a point is generally acceptable, but can otherwise be seen as a sexual advance.

How do Germans start a relationship? ›

Unlike some cultures, which are comfortable with the idea of meeting a stranger for an hour or so before arranging a proper date, Germans prefer to take their time. They generally like to meet potential partners through trusted circles, where they can gradually get to know someone before building a relationship.

Do Germans kiss when they meet? ›

The most common greeting is a handshake with direct eye contact. Men usually greet women first and wait for them to extend their hand. Close friends may hug to greet and younger people may kiss one another on the cheek. "Guten Tag" (Good day) or “Hallo” (Hello) are the most common verbal greetings used in Germany.

What are German words for pretty girl? ›

The phrase 'pretty girl' is translated as schönes Mädchen (pronounced: SHUO-nehs MEHD-chehn) or hübsches Mädchen (HUEB-shehs MEHD-chehn).

What does Weiner mean in Germany? ›

Etymology. From German Wienerwurst, from Wiener (“of Vienna, Viennese”) +‎ Wurst (“sausage”), because sausages were originally made in Vienna, Austria. In Germany today this sausage is known as Wiener Würstchen (“small sausage from Vienna”), but in Vienna it is called a Frankfurter (“from Frankfurt”).

What does Shawty mean? ›

Shawty, shorty, shauty or shortie is a slang term from African American Vernacular English used as a term of endearment but also frequently heard as a catcall. After the 1990s, the term has largely referred to a young and attractive woman. Some people consider this term condescending and pejorative.

What does BAE mean in Germany? ›

bae [Am.] [ coll.] [ short for babe, baby] [term of endearment] Schatzi {n} [ugs.] [ Kosename unter Liebenden] bae [Am.] [

What is the nick name for Germans? ›

Boche (pejorative)

Pronounced [boʃ], boche is a derisive term used by the Allies during World War I, often collectively ("the Boche" meaning "the Germans"). It is a shortened form of the French slang portmanteau alboche, itself derived from Allemand ("German") and caboche ("head" or "cabbage").

What is petting German? ›

Knutscherei {f} petting (also: necking, smooching, hugging and kissing) knutschend.

What is a German wife called? ›

ˈfrau̇ plural Frauen ˈfrau̇(-ə)n. sometimes disparaging. : a German married woman : wife.

What do Germans call their sweethearts? ›

Liebling (darling)

"Liebling" is about as close as German comes to the English "darling." While the expression contains the word for love - "Liebe" - it's also borrowed for other purposes. Liebling can be used as a prefix meaning "favorite." Your "Lieblingsbuch," for example, is your favorite book.

Do Germans use terms of endearment? ›

Gender Neutral Terms of Endearment

Schatz and its variations, Schätzchen and Schatzi (“little treasure”) is the most common term of endearment in German by far. It is capitalized like all German nouns. Almost all German-speaking couples call each other this, and it's also commonly used with children.

What do you call Babe in Germany? ›

babe {noun}

Puppe {f} [fam.] Schatz {n} [fam.]

What are German kisses? ›

Here's the answer... This weekend, a French friend told me that a German kiss is basically a French kiss but you swirl your tongue around in circles. Have you ever heard of that bad boy before? Have you done it?

What do you say to your German boyfriend? ›

Say something lovely and cute in German to your sweetheart
  • Ich liebe dich jede Sekunde meines Lebens. ...
  • Du bist so wunderschön! ...
  • Dein Lächeln verändert meinen ganzen Tag. ...
  • Alles, was ich jemals wollte, war dich zum Lächeln zu bringen. ...
  • Niemand ist perfekt, aber du bist perfekt für mich.

Do Germans greet each other with a kiss? ›

The most common greeting is a handshake with direct eye contact. Men usually greet women first and wait for them to extend their hand. Close friends may hug to greet and younger people may kiss one another on the cheek. "Guten Tag" (Good day) or “Hallo” (Hello) are the most common verbal greetings used in Germany.

What is the meaning of Schotzie? ›

noun. slang. sweetheart; darling. [1955–60; ‹ G Schatzi (orig.

What does Schatz mean? ›

A term of endearment in German-speaking countries, comparable to "honey" or "darling" in English.

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