Schluckauf
To say hiccup in German, use Schluckauf.
Schluckauf names the hiccups, the repeated spasm of the diaphragm. German uses it in the singular where English often says the hiccups.
Meaning: spasm of the diaphragm (noun)
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
Schluckauf is a masculine noun and, like all German nouns, starts with a capital letter. To say the verb to hiccup, German uses hicksen.
Did you know?
- In some German regions, it is a superstitious belief that a Schluckauf means someone is thinking about you or missing you.
- The word Schluckauf literally translates to 'gulp-cough'.
- In some German-speaking regions, a common folk remedy to cure Schluckauf involves being startled or frightened, a practice known as 'auf den Schluckauf erschrecken'.
Examples in context
- Ich habe einen starken Schluckauf.I have a bad case of the hiccups.
- Der Schluckauf geht einfach nicht weg.The hiccups just won't go away.
Example conversation
Maximilian and Julia are sitting in a cafe.
- MaximilianHör mal, hast du einen Schluckauf?Listen, do you have the hiccups?
- JuliaJa, er ist ziemlich störend.Yes, it is quite annoying.
- MaximilianTrink mal schnell ein Glas Wasser.Quick, drink a glass of water.
- JuliaDanke, das hat geholfen.Thanks, that helped.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “hiccup” translations, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Schluckauf, CC BY-SA 4.0.
