rülpsen
/ˈrʏlpsən/
The German verb for 'to burp' is rülpsen.
Use rülpsen to describe the action of emitting a burp.
Meaning: to emit a burp (verb)
Which one should you use?
While rülpsen is the verb for the action, the noun Rülpser refers to the person who is burping. To describe a softer, smaller burp, you can use the diminutive noun Bäuerchen, which is often used for a baby's burp or to make the act sound less gross.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
rülpsen is an informal verb and can be considered impolite in formal social settings. For a formal way to express this, use aufstoßen.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The simple past tense of rülpsen is rülpste, and the past participle is gerülpst.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈrʏlpsən/
Did you know?
- In some German dialects, a loud burp after a meal can be seen as a sign of satisfaction, though rülpsen remains officially impolite.
- In German, the word räuspern used for clearing one's throat shares a common linguistic ancestor with rülpsen.
- While 'rülpsen' is quite blunt, the formal alternative aufstoßen translates literally to 'to push up', describing the gas rising from the stomach.
Examples in context
- Warum rülpsen manche Leute nach dem Essen?Why do some people burp after they eat?This sentence uses rülpsen to ask why people burp after eating.Tatoeba #12825288 by Yorwba, translation #954664 by CK
- Warum rülpsen Leute?Why do people burp?Tatoeba #12825286 by Yorwba, translation #10431940 by CK
- Mädchen dürfen nicht rülpsen.Girls are not allowed to burp.This sentence uses rülpsen to state a social rule about girls burping.Tatoeba #8822267 by Idopauline, translation #8822269 by Idopauline
- Entschuldigen Sie bitte, dass ich gerade aufstoße.Excuse me for burping.
- Hey, hör auf zu rülpsen, das ist unhöflich!Hey, stop burping, it's impolite!
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Julia and Lukas are eating lunch together.
- JuliaLukas, bitte rülpse nicht so laut!Lukas, please don't burp so loudly!
- LukasTut mir leid, ich konnte es nicht vermeiden.I'm sorry, I couldn't avoid it.
- JuliaEs ist einfach unhöflich zu rülpsen.It is simply impolite to burp.
- LukasIch werde in Zukunft besser aufpassen.I will pay more attention in the future.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “burp” translations and entries rülpsen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries rülpsen, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
