du bist dumm
The German phrase for "you're dumb" is du bist dumm.
This phrase is used to tell someone that they lack intelligence. While dumm is a common way to express that someone is dumb or stupid, it is a very direct and blunt insult compared to more nuanced terms for being foolish.
How does it change in a sentence?
Use du bist dumm for one person informally, Sie sind dumm for formal situations and ihr seid dumm if you are addressing a group of people informally.
Did you know?
- The word dumm shares a common ancestor with the English word 'dumb' and originally referred to being mute or speechless.
- While dumm is the standard term, Germans often use the word doof to describe someone who is silly or naive in a less aggressive way.
- If you read a very old German poem, you might encounter the spelling tumb instead of the modern dumm.
Examples in context
- Du bist so dumm!You are so dumb!
- Du bist dumm, wenn du das glaubst.You're dumb if you believe that.
- Glaub mir, du bist dumm.Believe me, you're dumb.
Example conversation
Two friends are arguing about a bad decision.
- JuliaDas war eine sehr schlechte Idee.That was a very bad idea.
- LukasAch was, es wird schon klappen.Oh come on, it will work out.
- JuliaLukas, du bist dumm!Lukas, you're dumb!
- LukasSei nicht so streng, Julia.Don't be so harsh, Julia.
Sources
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bist, du, dumm, CC BY-SA 4.0.
