verhext
/fɛʁˈhɛkst/
The German word for jinx is verhext.
verhext can be used as an interjection after two people speak the same word at the same time, or as an adjective to describe a person or thing that is jinxed or hexed. The related verb verhexen means to bring bad luck to someone or something.
Meaning: a person or thing supposed to bring bad luck (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The verb verhexen is composed of the prefix ver-, which indicates a process or an error and Hex, meaning witch. Literally, it means to subject someone to a witch's spell.
Related words
How does it change in a sentence?
The form verhext can function as a past participle used as an adjective to describe someone or something that has been hexed or jinxed.
How do you pronounce it?
/fɛʁˈhɛkst/
Did you know?
- To avoid a 'jinx' or bad luck, Germans often say Toi, toi, toi instead of 'knock on wood'. This rhythmic phrase is actually an imitation of the sound of spitting to ward off evil spirits.
- In German, the word Pechvogel is a common way to describe a 'jinx' or someone who is chronically unlucky. It translates literally to 'pitch bird' or 'tar bird', referring to a bird covered in sticky, dark substances.
- The term Pechvogel uses the word Pech, which means 'pitch' or 'tar'. In German, this word is also the standard term for 'bad luck', creating a colorful metaphor for an unlucky person.
Example conversation
Julia and Lukas are having a series of unlucky accidents during a trip.
- JuliaAlles geht heute schief, ich bin verhext!Everything is going wrong today, I'm jinxed!
- LukasDas stimmt, Lukas hat auch Pech.That's true, Lukas is having bad luck too.
- JuliaVielleicht ist dieser ganze Tag verhext.Maybe this whole day is a jinx.
- LukasHoffentlich wird es morgen besser.Hopefully it will be better tomorrow.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry verhext, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
