dumme Gans
feminine
The English phrase "silly goose" can be translated into German as dumme Gans.
The term is used to describe a silly person. While it can be used playfully, it is an informal way to tease someone.
Meaning: silly person (noun)
What does it mean word for word?
The phrase consists of the adjective dumme (stupid or silly) and the noun Gans (goose).
Which one should you use?
Another way to express this is through the term Quatschkopf, which literally translates to "nonsense head" and serves as an affectionate way to call someone a silly goose.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
dumme Gans is informal and is typically used in a playful or mildly teasing manner among friends or family members.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is grammatically feminine. In a sentence, it requires the feminine article eine or can be used with the zero article in certain vocative constructions.
Did you know?
- If you want to be extra affectionate, Germans often use the diminutive form Gänschen to make the term 'silly goose' sound even smaller and cuter.
- The alternative phrase Quatschkopf uses Quatsch, a word for nonsense that is so common it has its own verbs, such as quatschen, meaning to chat idly.
- The word Gans shares a common ancestor with the English word 'goose', both tracing back to the Proto-Indo-European root *ǵʰh₂éns.
Examples in context
- Du bist eine dumme Gans!You're a silly goose!This example shows how to use dumme Gans in a full sentence.Tatoeba #6928939 by brauchinet, translation #6928346 by Eccles17
- Du dumme Gans!You silly goose!This example shows the vocative use of dumme Gans.Tatoeba #13774420 by Adelpa, translation #12697181 by rul
- Du bist so eine dumme Gans.You are such a silly goose.
Example conversation
Hannah and Julian are laughing about a small mistake.
- HannahIch habe meinen Schlüssel im Auto gelassen!I left my key in the car!
- JulianDu dumme Gans, wir stehen direkt davor.You silly goose, we are standing right in front of it.
- HannahStimmt, ich bin heute so zerstreut.True, I am so distracted today.
- JulianDas macht dich nur noch sympathischer.That just makes you even more likable.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “silly goose” translations and entries dumme Gans, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Gans, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
