herumalbern
/hɛˈʁʊmˌʔalbɐn/
The English phrase "messing around" can be translated into German as herumalbern.
herumalbern is used to describe behaving in a silly or playful way to have fun or to avoid serious work. This verb specifically implies being silly or childish for the sake of fun.
What does it mean word for word?
The term consists of the prefix herum-, which means "around" and indicates that an action is being performed aimlessly or without a specific purpose.
Which one should you use?
Other informal ways to express the concept include Blödsinn machen, which means "to make nonsense" and Rumspielen, which is a casual way to say "messing around".
How does it change in a sentence?
In the simple past (Präteritum), the form is herumalberte. To form the perfect tense, use the past participle herumalbern with the auxiliary verb haben.
How do you pronounce it?
/hɛˈʁʊmˌʔalbɐn/
Did you know?
- The word albern is closely related to the word Alb, a mythological elf or nightmare creature in German folklore that was believed to sit on people's chests while they slept.
- While herumalbern describes silly behavior, if you use it to describe a person's character in a serious setting, it can sound quite condescending, as if you are calling them a 'child' or 'foolish'.
- The word herumalbern is a separable verb, meaning the herum part can migrate to the very end of a sentence in a main clause.
Examples in context
- Bitte hören Sie auf, herumzuspielenPlease stop messing around
- Hören Sie auf, hier Unsinn zu treibenStop messing around here, please
- Machen Sie keinen UnsinnDon't mess around
- Hör auf, hier herumzualbernStop messing around here
- Hör auf, Blödsinn zu machenStop messing around
- Hören Sie auf, herumzuspielen, wir haben wichtige Arbeit zu erledigenStop messing around, we have important work to do
- Komm schon, hör auf, hier herumzualbern, wir wollen ernsthaft über das Projekt sprechenCome on, stop fooling around here, we want to talk seriously about the project
- Lass das Rumspielen sein, wir müssen uns auf unsere Aufgabe konzentrierenStop messing around, we need to focus on our task
- Hör auf, nur herumalbern zu wollen!Stop just wanting to mess around!
- Die Kinder wollen im Garten herumalbern.The children want to mess around in the garden.
Example conversation
Felix and Laura are supposed to be cleaning the living room.
- FelixLaura, hör bitte auf herumzalbern!Laura, please stop messing around!
- LauraIch habe doch nur ein bisschen Spaß, Felix.I'm just having a little bit of fun, Felix.
- FelixWir müssen heute fertig werden.We have to finish today.
- LauraNa gut, ich höre auf mit dem Herumalbern.Alright, I'll stop messing around.
Sources
- Pronunciation: Wiktionary entry herumalbern, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
