dummer Affe
The English phrase "stupid monkey" is translated into German as dummer Affe.
This is an insulting term used to describe a person who is acting foolishly or lacks intelligence.
Which one should you use?
While dummer Affe is used to mean "stupid monkey", the phrase Blöder Affe can be used to translate "foolish/silly monkey".
How does it change in a sentence?
dummer Affe is in the masculine nominative singular form.
Did you know?
- In some contexts, the word Affe can refer to someone who is drunk. This usage may have originated from a play on words between the Czech words for 'monkey' and 'to get drunk'.
- In German, calling someone an Affe can sometimes imply they are 'mimicking' others in a foolish way, rather than just being unintelligent.
- While dummer Affe is an insult, the word Affe can sometimes carry a much more serious connotation of addiction, similar to how 'monkey' is used in English to describe drug use.
Examples in context
- Du bist so ein dummer Affe!You are such a stupid monkey!
- Hör auf, dich wie ein dummer Affe zu benehmen.Stop behaving like a stupid monkey.
Example conversation
Julian accidentally knocks over a vase.
- JuliaPass bitte vorsichtiger auf, du dummer Affe!Please be more careful, you stupid monkey!
- JulianDas war ein Versehen, Julia.That was an accident, Julia.
- JuliaDu machst immer alles kaputt.You always break everything.
- JulianEs tut mir wirklich leid.I am really sorry.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries Affe, CC BY-SA 4.0.
