Nebel im Hirn
/ˈneːbəl ɪm hɪʁn/word by wordmasculine
The English phrase "brain fog" can be translated into German as Nebel im Hirn or Hirnnebel.
Meaning: mental condition (noun)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nebel im Hirn | /ˈneːbəl ɪm hɪʁn/ (word by word) | masculine |
| Hirnnebel | masculine |
Both terms are used to describe a mental condition. Hirnnebel functions as a direct equivalent for the English term "brain fog".
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase Nebel im Hirn is a literal translation of "fog in the brain".
Which one should you use?
Hirnnebel is a concise, single-word compound noun, while Nebel im Hirn is a more descriptive phrase.
How does it change in a sentence?
Both Nebel im Hirn and Hirnnebel are masculine nouns.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈneːbəl ɪm hɪʁn/
Did you know?
- While Hirnnebel sounds very clinical, a German speaker might more informally describe a lack of mental clarity by saying they have 'Schleier vor dem Kopf', meaning 'veils in front of the head'.
- While Hirnnebel is used in medical or online contexts, a German speaker might colloquially say they are verpeilt to describe the feeling of being mentally scattered or foggy.
- The German word Nebel shares a common ancient root with the Latin word nebula and the Greek word nephélē, both of which refer to clouds or mist.
Examples in context
- In meinem Kopf herrscht gerade totales Gedankenchaos.In my head there is total thought chaos right now.
Example conversation
Lukas and Julia are studying together in a library.
- LukasIch kann mich nicht konzentrieren, ich habe Nebel im Hirn.I can't concentrate, I have brain fog.
- JuliaDas kenne ich, wir sollten eine Pause machen.I know that feeling, we should take a break.
- LukasJa, ein kurzer Spaziergang würde mir helfen.Yes, a short walk would help me.
- JuliaGehen wir, Julia und Lukas brauchen frische Luft.Let's go, Julia and Lukas need fresh air.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “brain fog” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- IPA marked “word by word” joins the Wiktionary pronunciations of each word (Nebel, im, Hirn) and can differ in connected speech.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Hirn, Nebel, im, CC BY-SA 4.0.
