hassen
/ˈhasn̩/
The English phrase 'hate' is translated into German as hassen.
hassen is used to express an intense dislike. When you want to express hatred for a specific action or situation, it is common to use the construction Ich hasse es, [verb]…, which translates to 'I hate to [verb]…'.
Meaning: to dislike intensely (verb)
Which one should you use?
hassen expresses intense, often deep-seated hatred. For a softer, more informal way to say you cannot stand someone or something, you can use the phrase nicht leiden können.
How does it change in a sentence?
The present tense form for the second person plural (you all) and the third person singular (he/she/it) is hasst. The simple past tense form is hasste, and the past participle is gehasst.
How do you pronounce it?
/ˈhasn̩/
Did you know?
- German uses the expression etwas hassen wie die Pest to say someone hates something 'like the plague'.
- To describe a state of intense hatred, Germans use the term Hassliebe to describe an obsession where love and hate are indistinguishable.
- In German, if you say you 'hate' a person, it carries a much heavier, more permanent weight than the casual 'I hate you' often used in English pop songs.
Examples in context
- Wir alle hassen sie.We all hate them.This sentence shows the use of hassen to express a collective dislike of 'them'.Tatoeba #8235080 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3915695 by CH
- Wir alle hassen ihn.We all hate him.This sentence shows the use of hassen to express a collective dislike of 'him'.Tatoeba #8235088 by Pfirsichbaeumchen, translation #3915696 by CH
- Wir alle hassen Tom.We all hate Tom.This sentence shows the use of hassen to express a collective dislike of 'Tom'.Tatoeba #12407794 by mayabe, translation #2648903 by CK
- Ich hasse Spinat.I hate spinach.
- Ich kann Spinat auch nicht leiden.I can't stand spinach either.
- 157 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Sarah and Julian are talking about their chores.
- SarahIch muss heute das Bad putzen.I have to clean the bathroom today.
- JulianIch hassen Putzen wirklich sehr.I really hate cleaning a lot.
- SarahIch hassen es auch, aber es muss sein.I hate it too, but it has to be done.
- JulianDann helfen wir uns gegenseitig.Then let's help each other.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hate” translations and entries hassen, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
