How to Say “Get Lost” in German

Ways to say it

These expressions are used as imperatives to tell someone to go away. Note that these are distinct from verbs like sich verirren or sich verlaufen, which describe the physical act of losing one's way.

Which one should you use?

While all these forms mean "get lost," they vary in intensity and tone. verpiss dich! is significantly more vulgar and aggressive, equivalent to the English "fuck off!" schleich dich! is a colloquial way to tell someone to get lost, often implying they should sneak or creep away.

Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?

Most of these forms are informal. hau ab! is an informal expression used to convey a strong urge for someone to leave, and verpiss dich! is an informal way to tell someone to go away. If you want to be polite and ask someone to leave you alone in a formal setting, use Könnten Sie mich bitte in Ruhe lassen?

Is it said differently in some regions?

In Austria, schleich di! is used to tell someone to get lost.

Related words

Lose one's way (verb): sich verirren, sich verlaufen.

To go missing (verb): verloren gehen.

How does it change in a sentence?

The form verschwinde! is the imperative (command) form of the verb verschwinden (to disappear).

What mistakes should you avoid?

Do not confuse the command "get lost!" (telling someone to leave) with the reflexive verbs sich verirren or sich verlaufen, which describe the physical act of losing one's way.