böse
/ˈbøːzə/
The German word for evil is böse.
The primary meaning of böse is to describe someone or something that is morally corrupt. However, in many contexts, particularly when referring to people, it can also mean being angry or mad. For example, the phrase jemandem böse sein is a common way to express that someone is angry with another person. If you wish to describe behavior or intent that is specifically malicious or spiteful, the word bösartig is often more appropriate.
Meaning: morally corrupt (adj)
Which one should you use?
While böse can mean morally corrupt, it is frequently used to mean angry or mad. To describe something as specifically malicious or spiteful, use bösartig instead.
How does it change in a sentence?
As an adjective, böse will take different endings, such as bösen, depending on the gender, case and article of the noun it modifies. When used as a noun to mean 'the evil' or 'evil' in an abstract sense, it becomes das Böse, which is capitalized and takes a neuter gender.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈbøːzə/
Did you know?
- The term bösartig is used in German medicine to describe malignant tumors.
- In German, you can describe a medical wound or a cold as böse, meaning it is severe or nasty.
- The word böse is an unexpected relative of the English word 'boast'.
Examples in context
- Die Welt ist böse.The world is evil.This sentence shows how to describe the world as being evil using böse.Tatoeba #1222774 by Esperantostern, translation #7794702 by ajonsson
- Ich bin nicht böse.I'm not evil.This sentence shows how to state that you are not evil using böse.Tatoeba #3255441 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3253517 by Hybrid
- Das Böse siegt immer.Evil always wins.This sentence uses the noun form das Böse to show that evil always wins.Tatoeba #1268203 by waeltken, translation #1268021 by CM
- Das Böse hat sich über das Dorf gelegt.Evil has descended upon the village.
- Wir müssen das Böse bekämpfen.We need to fight against evil.
- Die Bosheit dieser Tat ist erschreckend.The wickedness of this deed is horrifying.
- Ich bin erschüttert von der Schlechtigkeit seiner Handlungen.I am appalled by the wickedness of his actions.
- Das ist echt böse!That's really evil!
- Wer tut so etwas Böses?Who would do something that evil?
- 145 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are discussing a villain in a movie.
- SarahDer Hauptcharakter in diesem Film ist wirklich böse.The main character in this movie is really evil.
- JulianJa, er hat keine Gnade für andere.Yes, he has no mercy for others.
- SarahIch finde seine böse Art beängstigend.I find his evil manner frightening.
- JulianDas macht die Geschichte aber spannend.But that makes the story exciting.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry böse, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries böse, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
