ich bin dick
The German phrase for "I am fat" is ich bin dick.
The phrase is used to describe oneself as having a lot of excess body fat. You can also use Ich bin etwas mollig to express that you are slightly overweight, or Ich habe ein paar Pfunde zu viel to say you have a few extra pounds.
Which one should you use?
The phrase ich bin dick is blunt and can be seen as insensitive. For a more polite, clinical or formal way to describe being overweight, use ich bin übergewichtig.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
The word dick is the common, everyday term for "fat" and is used in informal settings, though it can sound harsh depending on the context. For formal situations, you can use Ich bin übergewichtig. (I am overweight) or Ich habe Übergewicht. (I have excess weight). In very informal or colloquial settings, you might hear the expression Ich habe zu viel auf den Rippen.
What mistakes should you avoid?
English speakers may mistakenly assume dick only refers to body fat, but in German, dick also means "thick" when describing objects like books or walls.
Did you know?
Examples in context
- Ich bin dick.I am fat.This example shows the basic way to say "I am fat."Tatoeba #1187988 by Tlustulimu, translation #2523975 by CC
- Ich glaube, ich bin dick, weil ich viel Zucker und Eiscreme esse.I think I am fat because I eat a lot of sugar and ice cream.This sentence shows how to explain the reason for being fat using ich bin dick.Tatoeba #10781659 by carlosalberto, translation #10781602 by carlosalberto
Example conversation
Sarah and Maximilian are talking about their health goals.
- SarahIch möchte mehr Sport machen, denn ich bin dick.I want to exercise more because I am fat.
- MaximilianDas glaube ich nicht, Sarah. Du siehst gut aus.I don't believe that, Sarah. You look good.
- SarahTrotzdem fühle ich mich so, als ob ich dick bin.Still, I feel as if I am fat.
- MaximilianWir können ja morgen zusammen joggen gehen.We can go jogging together tomorrow then.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bin, dick, ich, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
