ich bin wütend
The English phrase 'I am mad' is translated into German as ich bin wütend.
This phrase is used to express that someone is feeling very angry.
Which one should you use?
While ich bin wütend expresses intense, active anger, the colloquial phrase ich bin sauer is a more common way to say you are annoyed or upset. To express even more intensity, you can use Ich bin stinksauer to mean you are really mad or furious or Ich bin richtig wütend to say you are really mad.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Bavaria, you may hear the phrase I bin grantig to mean 'I am mad'. In Austria, a common way to express this is I bin wüd.
What mistakes should you avoid?
Do not use ich bin verrückt to mean you are angry. In German, verrückt means 'crazy' or 'insane'.
Did you know?
- The phrase stinksauer adds the word for 'stink' to sauer to amplify the anger. It suggests the anger is so intense that it has become pungent or foul.
- In Bavaria, the word grantig describes a specific kind of grumpy or irritable mood. It is often seen as a cultural trait of the region rather than just a temporary emotion.
- The word wütend comes from the verb wüten, which originally described the uncontrolled, violent behavior of a storm or a wild animal.
Examples in context
- Warum bist du so sauer? Ich bin verärgert über deine verspätete Ankunft.Why are you so mad? I am annoyed by your late arrival.
- Was ist los? Du siehst richtig wütend aus. Ja, ich bin richtig wütend auf meinen Nachbarn.What is wrong? You look really mad. Yes, I am really mad at my neighbor.
- Ich bin so wütend auf ihn!I am so mad at him!
- Ich bin wütend auf dich.I am mad at you.
Example conversation
Felix and Laura are arguing about a broken vase.
- FelixHast du meine Lieblingsvase kaputt gemacht?Did you break my favorite vase?
- LauraJa, es war ein Unfall, Felix.Yes, it was an accident, Felix.
- FelixDas ist nicht fair, ich bin wütend!That is not fair, I am mad!
- LauraEs tut mir leid, Laura ist traurig jetzt.I am sorry, Laura is sad now.
