du bist cool
The German phrase for "you're cool" is du bist cool.
This phrase is used to tell someone they are trendy, relaxed or impressive. The word cool is an anglicism, meaning it carries the same meaning in German as it does in English. If you want to use more idiomatic or modern expressions among friends, you might say Du bist der/die Hammer! to mean "You're the hammer!" or use the modern expression Du rockst! to say "You rock!"
How does it change in a sentence?
German uses different forms of "you" depending on how many people you are addressing and how formal you need to be. Use du bist cool for one person in an informal setting. If you are addressing a group of people, use ihr seid cool. For one or more people in a formal setting, use Sie sind cool. The word du is the informal singular form of "you", while Sie is the formal singular and plural form of "you".
Did you know?
- Using du bist cool with a stranger or a superior in Germany can be perceived as an intentional social snub or an overly aggressive attempt at intimacy.
- The word cool is a doublet of the German word kühl, which means 'cool' in temperature. While cool refers to a person's personality, kühl describes the physical sensation of a breeze or a cold room.
- Because German distinguishes between formal and informal 'you', the phrase Sie sind cool can create a humorous tension by mixing formal grammar with slang.
Examples in context
- Du bist cool! Ich bewundere deine KreativitätYou're cool! I admire your creativity
- Du bist cool! Deine Art, Probleme zu lösen, ist beeindruckend!You're cool! Your way of solving problems is impressive!
- Sie sind cool! Ihre Bühnenpräsenz ist beeindruckend.You're cool! Your stage presence is impressive.
- Du bist cool.You're cool.
- Echt, du bist cool!Really, you're cool!
- Ich mag dich, du bist cool.I like you, you're cool.
Example conversation
Sarah and Lukas are hanging out in a park.
- SarahDeine neue Jacke ist toll, du bist cool.Your new jacket is great, you're cool.
- LukasDanke, Sarah!Thanks, Sarah!
- SarahEinfach echt cool.Simply really cool.
- LukasDu bist auch nett.You are nice too.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bist, cool, du, CC BY-SA 4.0.
