Trottel
/ˈtʁɔtəl/
The German word for bozo is Trottel.
Trottel is a slang term used to describe a stupid or foolish person.
Meaning: (slang) a stupid or foolish person (noun)
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Trottel is an informal, colloquial term used to insult someone's intelligence or competence.
How does it change in a sentence?
The word Trottel is the same in both its singular and plural forms.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈtʁɔtəl/
Did you know?
- In German, you can add the prefix Voll- to the word to create Volltrottel, which intensifies the insult to mean a 'complete bozo'.
- Although it is used widely in Germany, Trottel originally stems from Austrian German dialects.
- The word may be linked to the verb trotteln, which means to wander aimlessly or saunter without a destination.
Examples in context
- Der Verkäufer hat uns die falsche Ware geliefert. Was für ein Trottel!The salesman delivered the wrong goods. What a fool!
- Da hast du dich aber richtig blamiert. Du bist so ein Depp!You really embarrassed yourself there. You're such a dope!
- Warum machst du das immer? Bist du wirklich so ein Blödmann?Why do you always do that? Are you really such a numbskull?
- Er ist ein echter Trottel.He is a real bozo.
- Pass auf, du Trottel!Watch out, you bozo!
- Welcher Trottel hat das gemacht?Which bozo did that?
Example conversation
Felix and Hannah are looking at a broken lamp.
- FelixWer war dieser Trottel?Who was this bozo?
- HannahIch weiß es nicht, Felix.I don't know, Felix.
- FelixDer Trottel hat die Lampe kaputt gemacht.The bozo broke the lamp.
- HannahDas ist wirklich ärgerlich.That is really annoying.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry Trottel, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Trottel, CC BY-SA 4.0.
