böser Junge
The English phrase "bad boy" is translated into German as böser Junge.
böser Junge is used to describe a male child who behaves poorly or disobeys rules.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
If you wish to use an informal term to describe a rough and mischievous person, you can use Rabauke.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Southern Germany and Austria, the term Schlawiner is frequently used to describe a mischievous person.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase böser Junge uses the strong declension of the adjective because it follows the indefinite article ein. The plural form is böse Jungen. When the phrase is used as the direct object of a sentence, it takes the accusative form den bösen Jungen.
Did you know?
- While böser Junge describes a child, the word böse can shift from meaning 'naughty' to 'evil' depending on whether the subject is a child or an adult.
- The common plural Jungs is a borrowing from Low German and bypasses the standard High German grammar rule for forming plurals.
- While Junge is the standard today, the word Knabe was historically the primary term for 'boy' in German.
Examples in context
- Tom ist ein böser Junge.Tom is a bad boy.This sentence is useful for identifying someone as a böser Junge.Tatoeba #1941193 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #1025204 by CK
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Felix are talking about a child in the park.
- FelixSiehst du den kleinen Jungen dort?Do you see that little boy there?
- JuliaJa, er ist ein böser Junge.Yes, he is a bad boy.
- FelixWarum denkst du das über ihn?Why do you think that about him?
- JuliaEr hört einfach nicht auf seine Mutter.He just doesn't listen to his mother.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Junge, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
