duckmäuserig
The English adjective 'sneaky' can be translated into German as duckmäuserig or hinterhältig.
Meaning: dishonest, deceitful (adj)
Ways to say it
| German | IPA |
|---|---|
| duckmäuserig | |
| hinterhältig | /ˈhɪntɐˌhɛltɪç/ /-ˌhɛltɪk/ |
Both words describe someone who is dishonest or deceitful. While 'sneaky' in English can occasionally have a playful connotation, hinterhältig is used for someone who is actively malicious or treacherous.
Which one should you use?
The term hinterhältig is specifically used to describe someone who is being dishonest, treacherous or backstabbing. This distinguishes it from the more general or sometimes lighthearted English use of 'sneaky'.
Did you know?
- In German, the word Hinterhalt (the noun form of the root in hinterhältig) specifically refers to an ambush or an armed trap set for an enemy.
- The term duckmäuserig often implies a sense of being 'meek' or 'submissive' rather than just being dishonest, making it a more complex personality description than just 'sneaky'.
- While hinterhältig is used for malicious deceit, German has a different word schlau for 'sneaky' when it implies being clever or cunning in a way that is often admired.
Examples in context
- Tom ist sehr hinterhältig.Tom is very sneaky.This sentence shows how to describe a person as being very sneaky using hinterhältig.Tatoeba #10014126 by wolfgangth, translation #3409217 by CK
- Er ist nicht hinterhältig.He isn't sneaky.This sentence demonstrates the negative form of the adjective hinterhältig.Tatoeba #10017340 by wolfgangth, translation #8479195 by CH
- Er ist ein ausgekochter GeschäftsmannHe is a cunning businessman
- Sie hat einen hinterlistigen Plan geschmiedetShe devised a devious plan
- Seine tückischen Machenschaften sind berüchtigtHis crafty dealings are notorious
- Sie führte eine listige Täuschung durchShe executed a cunning deception
- Er hat einen fiesen Trick angewandtHe played a sneaky trick
- Das war wirklich tückisch von ihm, mir das Geld zu stehlen.That was really sneaky of him to steal my money.
- Du hast einen fiesen Plan ausgeheckt, um mich hereinzulegen.You devised a sneaky plan to deceive me.
- Sie hat mit listigen Mitteln ihren Konkurrenten ausgestochen.She outsmarted her competitor using cunning tactics.
- 4 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Felix and Sarah are discussing a colleague's behavior.
- FelixHast du gesehen, was er gemacht hat?Did you see what he did?
- SarahJa, sein Verhalten ist wirklich duckmäuserig.Yes, his behavior is really sneaky.
- FelixIch traue ihm deshalb nicht mehr.That is why I don't trust him anymore.
- SarahIch verstehe dich vollkommen, Felix.I completely understand you, Felix.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “sneaky” translations and entries hinterhältig, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
